Does risk/reward factor make Darren McFadden draft-worthy?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (6/18/13) Every year we find reasons to like Darren McFadden and every year he finds a way to disappoint us. In 2011 he totaled five touchdowns and over 750 yards in seven games before messing up his foot. In 2012 he managed to stay healthy for 12 games (tied for the second-most in his career) but sported the worst rushing average of his career and scored a total of three times.
This year McFadden enters training camp for the Raiders healthy and with dollar signs in his eyes. If he has a sensational year he will land a nice chunk of change from a team probably not called the Raiders because of their salary cap issues. If he doesn't, he could still earn a decent contract but probably will be used in a part-time role elsewhere in the league. McFadden has to know this and should put up a good effort. Helping his case is an Oakland coaching staff that redesigned the offense to his strengths including scrapping the zone-blocking scheme that seemingly baffled McFadden last year.
McFadden's always a risky proposition -- just ask the Fantasy owners who took him the past two seasons -- but a late Round 3/early Round 4 selection might be the right price for a player aiming for a monster showcase season.
Oakland run scheme is DMC-approved
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/19/13) Raiders running back Darren McFadden told the Contra Costa Times that he loves the power-run scheme that new offensive coordinator Greg Olson has committed to. "That's one of the things I like about it. I'm the type of guy I like to get going downhill, so I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a great fit for our team," McFadden said. "It's a great feeling that they have that confidence in me, so I just want to go out there and prove to them on the field that I can do it, and show them I'm the type of player they think I'm capable of being."
McFadden healthy, ready to go
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/8/13) The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Raiders running back Darren McFadden, who is coming off a season in which he averaged 3.27 yards per carry, is gearing up for the season already. "My offseason was over last month," McFadden said. "It's back to the grind, getting ready for the season. And getting used to everybody." The Raiders got rid of Greg Knapp and replaced him with Greg Olson as the new offensive coordinator. The Raiders are going back to a predominantly straight-ahead power scheme, one in which McFadden averaged 4.75 yards per carry his first four seasons. McFadden's "most effective years have been in a downhill, power scheme," second-year head coach Dennis Allen said. "That's why Greg Olson and Tony Sparano are here." Besides being held to 707 yards on 216 carries last season, McFadden was also stopped by injury again. He missed four games because of an ankle sprain and has missed 23 games in his five seasons - "just a fluke," he said, "because I am always going hard. I am not falling off the bench or anything."
Allen hopes McFadden can stay healthy
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/19/13) Raiders coach Dennis Allen said in an interview with CBSSports.com at the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday that he "would jump and down excited" if he knew running back Darren McFadden would play 16 games this season. "You tell me Im going to get 16 games out of one of our most explosive players, thats a good thing," Allen said. But Allen realizes that injuries are just part of the equation with McFadden, and the Raiders need a plan in place for when McFadden goes down. "Darren is an extremely explosive player, and we need to use him in that regard," Allen said. "What weve got to do is create some depth behind him so if and when Darren has to miss any time weve got a capable guy that can go in there and play at a starters level."
GM stands behind McFadden
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/25/13) The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said that running back Darren McFadden has suffered some "flukey" injuries. "He is as tough as they come," McKenzie said. "Those things happen." McKenzie also said he is counting on a big year for McFadden in 2013. "I'm looking forward to Darren McFadden having a great season this year," McKenzie said.
06/17/2013 16:00 Offseason Extra: Compensation inspiration
Which players might be motivated by the alimighty dollar in 2013? Our Dave Richard shares some names you should put an asterisk next to in advance of Draft Day.
06/13/2013 14:50 2013 Draft Prep: Studying the schedules
Which teams have a good slate and which teams will struggle? Dave Richard reviews the schedules for all 32 teams.
06/05/2013 15:10 Offseason Extra: Bounce-back candidates
Not too early to start identifying rebound candidates for Draft Day 2013. Our Jamey Eisenberg shares 25 names he's expecting more from this upcoming season.
There are two things we hope for with Darren McFadden this season. The first is health. The second is an improved offensive system in Oakland. He missed four games in 2012 with an ankle injury, and will now try to stay healthy for the first time in his career (he's never played more than 13 games). Last year he also struggled with Oakland's zone-blocking scheme. He had a career-low 3.3 yards per carry and finished with 216 carries for 707 yards and two touchdowns and 42 catches for 258 yards and one touchdown. It was a miserable year, but the zone-blocking system is gone with Greg Olson replacing Greg Knapp as the offensive coordinator. We still have optimism for McFadden, but there are obvious red flags. Because of that he should only be drafted with a late-second round pick at the earliest. Your best bet is to get McFadden in the third round and hope he surprises you like he did in 2010 (1,600 total yards and 10 touchdowns). We'd all take that McFadden, and we hope he shows up this year. (Updated 5/29/13)