Draft prep: Don't discount these RBs in 2008
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
Editor's note: This is a series of 10 predictions of things that will happen in 2008 Fantasy Football leagues according to Senior Fantasy Writer Jamey Eisenberg
Shaun Alexander, Cedric Benson and Travis Henry were three of the biggest running back busts in 2007, and they might not get the chance to prove they can rebound from it. As of now, none of these running backs are with a team in training camp.
But several other high-profile running backs should return to prominence in 2008, and Fantasy owners will benefit from taking a chance on these previous disappointments.
You can expect Edgerrin James, Larry Johnson, Rudi Johnson and Thomas Jones to all play better this year than they did in 2007. And plenty of Fantasy owners are going to shy away from these players because of what happened last year.
Well, let the other owners in your league avoid these players while you gobble them up because they will all bounce back in 2008.
Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals
Fantasy owners will shy away from James because he's turning 30 this year and has looked bad in his two years in Arizona. But if you look at his stats last year, he ranked in the top 12 in rushing yards (1,232) and touchdowns (seven). He's still getting the job done despite his advanced age and poor rushing offense in Arizona.
James said in an interview with CBSSports.com this offseason that he remains in great shape and will benefit from a full year with Matt Leinart as the starting quarterback. Remember, Kurt Warner likes to throw, but Leinart will manage the offense and worked well with James when the two played together last year (in five games with Leinart, James averaged 88.4 yards and scored three touchdowns).
The Cardinals are still counting on James, and Fantasy owners should as well. He's being drafted as a No. 3 Fantasy option in most leagues (his average draft position is about No. 62 overall), but he should end up as a No. 2 running back by the end of the year and is worth a mid-round selection.
Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
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| Owners should expect something between Larry Johnson of 2006 and 2007 this season. (US Presswire) |
Also, Johnson is expected to be fully recovered from the foot injury that limited him to just eight games last year, and the contract woes from last year are behind him. Johnson won't duplicate his 2006 stats (2,189 total yards and 19 touchdowns), but he will finish as a top 10 Fantasy rusher again.
Brodie Croyle will improve as a starting quarterback, and Johnson will benefit. Right now, his average draft position is about No. 16 overall, so if you're getting Johnson in the second round, that's a steal. Despite what happened last year, Johnson is a first-round Fantasy option.
Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Johnson was the model of consistency from 2004-06 when he rushed for at least 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns each year. Then last year, Johnson fell apart due to a hamstring injury, which limited him to 497 yards and three touchdowns.
Johnson comes into 2008 healthy and in better shape than last year. Teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh said in a phone interview with CBSSports.com that Johnson "looks good" and is "ready to go." Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also said the team will focus on the run more this year.
Johnson likely won't return to being a No. 1 Fantasy option, but he should get back to No. 2 status. He is currently being drafted about No. 39 overall, according to his average draft position, which is right where he should go.
Thomas Jones, New York Jets
Fantasy owners hated Jones last season after he left Chicago for the Jets with a lot of promise. The tandem he shared with Cedric Benson was done, so Jones was destined for stardom.
As we all know, that didn't happen. Jones rushed for only 1,119 yards and had just two total touchdowns. He was benched in the majority of leagues, and for good reason.
But this year, Jones should get back to starting for many owners. The Jets significantly improved the offensive line with the additions of guard Alan Faneca and right tackle Damien Woody, who will join right guard Brandon Moore, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold up front.
Those guys should open plenty of holes for Jones, who will be drafted as a No. 3 Fantasy running back but will finish the season as a No. 2 option. Right now, his average draft position is about No. 57 overall, but Jones has the chance to be an elite rusher if the offensive line plays as expected.
Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
OK, so Williams wasn't much of a bust last year since all he did was run the ball six times for 15 yards before getting hurt. But the last time Williams did anything significant for Fantasy owners was 2005 when he shared carries with Ronnie Brown.
Now Williams has a chance to be the best running back in Miami this year. Brown is coming back from a torn ACL, but Williams has looked great through training camp and the preseason. The two are going to share carries, but Williams could be the higher producer since Brown is running tentative and not 100 percent.
You should draft Williams with a mid-round pick as a No. 3 Fantasy option. And don't worry about his age (31) because there's not a lot of wear-and-tear on his body with the lack of carries the past two years.
He also appears motivated, which is always a concern for Williams, but for now he's going strong and should be a solid Fantasy running back in 2008.
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