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Jamey Eisenberg

Draft prep: Running with the Class of '06

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


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

The running back draft class of 2006 has seen its share of good times and bad for the first two years. There were breakouts and busts, injuries and impressive moments.

And now comes the standout year. In 2008, there are several running backs from this class poised for their best season.

That's going to make you as a Fantasy owner very happy.

Start at the top, where the first round in 2006 was Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams and Joseph Addai. There's not a lot of room for improvement with Addai, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards his first two seasons and scored 15 touchdowns in 2007. He is a No. 1 Fantasy option and a top-five pick in most leagues.

But there is upside for Bush, who has been a disappointment so far for plenty of owners. As a rookie, Bush showed potential with more than 1,300 total yards and eight touchdowns, including 88 catches.

Instead of building on that in 2007, when some owners drafted Bush as a No. 1 Fantasy option, he took a step back and had less than 1,000 total yards and six touchdowns while dealing with a knee injury. Bush knows he has a lot to prove this year.

Bush's 2008 Fantasy Projections
Carries Yards TDs Rec. Yards TDs
152 592 4 75 586 3
Complete running back projections

"It's a learning experience," Bush said in a recent interview. "Anytime you are a rookie coming into this league and you're a first round draft pick, you have a lot of pressure on your shoulders. It's not an easy job. It's not an easy task. It's a learning experience, and you just try to do the best you can with it and try not to mess up."

Bush may never be a lead running back like Addai, but his versatility is what owners covet. And if Deuce McAllister can return from a knee injury or Pierre Thomas takes over the starting role, then Bush may pick up from his rookie year.

Don't be concerned that Bush is a bust. Draft him as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick in Round 3 in all leagues and watch his skills flourish. He's still a focal point of the offense, and the Saints are going to put up plenty of points.

Maroney is another running back with a lot to prove. Last year, many Fantasy owners went into the draft with Maroney as a starting option after he rushed for 745 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a rookie.

Maroney's 2008 Fantasy Projections
Carries Yards TDs Rec. Yards TDs
243 1062 6 14 133 0
Complete running back projections

Then he was a disappointment because of a groin injury and the Patriots record-setting passing game, and he rushed for 835 yards and six touchdowns. He came on in the playoffs with 280 yards and three touchdowns in three games and plans on carrying that over to this year.

"That gave me a little bit more confidence in myself," Maroney said of the playoff performance in the Boston Herald. "Once I put my mind to it, I know I can be a good back in the NFL. It's just a point of being patient and just going out and doing what I do best. I'm almost there. I wish I was a little bit further, but I can't complain because I'm a lot further than I was last year. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm not far away from it."

There is some concern the Patriots will throw the ball again like 2007, and Maroney will lose carries to Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan. But look for Maroney to carry the playoff performance into 2008, and he should be drafted as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick in Round 3 in all leagues. He should have his first 1,000-yard season this year.

Williams has improved his stock recently with rookie Jonathan Stewart dealing with a lingering toe injury. That has helped Williams go from Fantasy reserve to a solid No. 3 option on the rise.

If Stewart is limited and Williams continues to get carries, he could be starting for your Fantasy team plenty this season. That's something Fantasy owners have waited for with Williams sitting behind DeShaun Foster the past two years. Williams only has 1,218 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in his career.

Williams' 2008 Fantasy Projections
Carries Yards TDs Rec. Yards TDs
193 826 4 31 261 2
Complete running back projections

Williams said in an interview with CBSSports.com that it takes time for running backs to get adjusted. He finally feels comfortable in his third season.

"Yes, definitely," Williams said. "Coming in your first year, you're a little wet behind the ears. Coming into my third year, it makes the reads easier for me. The game slows down in your head a lot and you know why people do things, the concepts of the defense and offense. And what's really funny is when a defense runs a blitz, you know what they're trying to stop and what they're giving up, and that's not something I had a good knowledge of my first and second year."

Maurice Jones-Drew enters his third season still sharing carries with Fred Taylor. (US Presswire)  
Maurice Jones-Drew enters his third season still sharing carries with Fred Taylor. (US Presswire)  
In the second round, LenDale White might face the most questions of this class. After rushing for 1,110 yards and scoring seven touchdowns last year, the Titans drafted Chris Johnson in the first round.

But White, who played last year on a torn meniscus in his knee, isn't concerned about Johnson taking away playing time. White said the two can work together, and he's right since Johnson is more of a scat back to White's bruising style.

White is being drafted as a No. 3 Fantasy option so far, but he will probably produce like a No. 2 running back by the end of the year. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he expects White and Johnson to play in tandem, and he's counting on White again in 2008.

Another player from this class in a tandem is Maurice Jones-Drew, who has been great the past two years with more than 2,500 total yards and 24 touchdowns, but could get even better in 2008. Fred Taylor, who starts for the Jaguars ahead of Jones-Drew, is 32, and it will be hard for Taylor to sustain at his recent level for much longer.

If Taylor suffers a setback or gets hurt, Jones-Drew is ready. He could go from a No. 2 Fantasy option to an elite running back in 2008.

"I'm still learning," Jones-Drew said in the Florida Times-Union. "It's not like I know everything. I'm still learning different things every day. I think that is when you become your best. You think you know it all, but you can always learn something else."

The rest of the class has some other breakout stars as well. Jerious Norwood, a third-round pick, is worth drafting as a No. 4 Fantasy option and could shine in a tandem with Michael Turner.

Leon Washington (fourth-round pick) could be a viable reserve if something happens to Thomas Jones. And Brian Calhoun (third-round pick) and Jerome Harrison (fifth-round pick) have potential in Detroit and Cleveland, respectively, if they get playing time.

This is a solid group of running backs. And this should be the best year yet for the Class of 2006.

Do you have a Draft Prep question? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll get to as many as we can. Be sure to put Attn: Draft Prep in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.

 
 
 
Player News
Matt Schaub
Schaub doing well in rehab
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
1:03 PM
News: The Houston Chronicle reports Tuesday that Texans QB Matt Schaub, who finished the season on injured reserve following foot surgery, is doing well and his rehab is ahead of schedule. The report says Schaub works out almost every day.
Analysis: This is great news, and we expect Schaub to return at 100 percent in 2012. Continue to monitor what happens with Schaub, but he should be considered a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy QB heading into the season. He is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues on Draft Day.

Lofa Tatupu
Tatupu visits Saints
Lofa Tatupu, LB, SEA
2:36 PM
News: Free agent LB Lofau Tatupu visited with the Saints on Monday, according to NFL.com. The 29-year-old Tatupu sat out the 2011 season. The former Pro Bowl MLB was asked to take a pay cut by the Seahawks after the lockout ended last summer, and subsequently asked for his release. Tatupu was scheduled to visit with the Raiders and Redskins in August, but didn't sign with anyone and fell off the radar for the remainder of the year while he reportedly dealt with a knee injury. Tatupu was scheduled to earn more than $4 million in 2011 before his release by Seattle. The six-year veteran was a second-round pick and has played in three Pro Bowls. But he also started to wear down from 2008-2010, including finishing 2009 on injured reserve with a knee injury. He did start all 16 games in 2010, but had surgery on both knees during the offseason.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Tatupu and where he plays in 2012. When healthy and active he could be a No. 3 Fantasy LB worth a late-round pick in IDP leagues.

Ravens
Flacco, Ravens to work on deal
Ravens, TQB BAL,
12:47 PM
News: The NFL Network reports that the Ravens are set to open contract extension talks with QB Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL Combine next week. The report says both sides aim for a long-term deal. Flacco is entering a contract year in 2012, and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said Flacco would be the team's starting quarterback for years to come.
Analysis: Flacco's won a lot of games for the Ravens but hasn't taken the next step statistically, even when the team added Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Flacco has had between 3,610 and 3,622 passing yards and between 20 and 25 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. But this year his completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped like a rock while his pass attempts hit a career high (542, breaking the previous mark of 499). Flacco fits the bill as a great No. 2 Fantasy QB; though he's finally outfitted with a quality receiving corps, he simply doesn't invoke much confidence as a starting option. Look for him late in drafts.

Jahvid Best
Best 'on pace' for offseason work
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
12:43 PM
News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems even though team president Tom Lewand is optimistic. Lewand said Best is "on pace" to be ready for offseason workouts, and he is looking forward to seeing Best and Mikel Leshoure play together. "Jahvid is a special player and he'll be even more dynamic when he can ... share the load with a guy like Mikel in the backfield."
Analysis: We hope Best can return at 100 percent, but he will likely be used as a change of pace rusher and a third-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Best, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats since he will likely be used in tandem with Leshoure and possibly Kevin Smith if he returns as a free agent.

Mikel Leshoure
Leshoure's recovery going well
Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET
12:40 PM
News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Mikel Leshoure, who tore his left Achilles tendon in the second week of training camp last year, is close to making a full recovery. At the Lions’ request, Leshoure just moved the final stages of his rehab back to Detroit from Arizona. He’s doing resistance work and light running and is expected to join OTA workouts at some point this offseason. Leshoure looked like he was going to be a key part of the Lions offense when injury struck last August, and the team is anxious to get a read on him this spring. RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.
Analysis: Leshoure should be considered a great sleeper heading into 2012, and he is worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy RB as long as he's healthy. He has tremendous upside, and he could be a great weapon for the Lions, especially with Best struggling as an every-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Leshoure, but he is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in 2012.

Mike Wallace
Steelers want to lock up Wallace
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
12:17 PM
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday the team wants to keep WR Mike Wallace "here for the long run." Wallace, their leading receiver last season, will become a restricted free agent March 13.
Analysis: Wallace played well in 2011 with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. He will remain in Pittsburgh in 2012, and hopefully he can sign a long-term deal. We consider Wallace a Top 10 Fantasy WR on Draft Day, and he should be selected in all leagues in Round 3.

Hines Ward
GM says no decision on Ward yet
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
12:13 PM
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday that no decision has been made on whether WR Hines Ward will be back with the Steelers in 2012. "To this current point, no final decisions have been made," Colbert said. "We've had several discussions internally. We're right in the midst of our free agent evaluations of other teams' free agents. We'll meet on those [on the Steelers roster] starting Thursday and carry through Monday." A recent report on NFL Network said that Ward won't be back with the Steelers in 2012 but a source close to Ward refuted the report.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Ward and where he ends up in 2012. No matter where Ward plays, however, he would have minimal Fantasy value, and he is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.

Brandon Lloyd
Pats could go after Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd, WR, STL
12:08 PM
News: The Boston Herald reports that the Patriots will be in the market for a WR this year, and one obvious possibility is Brandon Lloyd, who is an impending free agent, because of his ties to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The fact that Lloyd said “I’m tied to McDaniels” makes him a likely free agent target. Lloyd had 51 catches for 683 yards and five TDs last year in 11 games in St. Louis when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator makes him look pretty good after he amassed 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 scores with Denver when McDaniels was the coach.
Analysis: One holdup for Lloyd and the Patriots could be Lloyd's agent, Tom Condon, who has a rocky relationship with the Patriots. We'll see what plays out this offseason, but if Lloyd signs in New England he would be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR. He could still return to the Rams, where he would be a strong No. 3 option. Or he could shop himself around the league. Stay tuned, but either way Lloyd is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues.

Bills
Fitzpatrick finished season hurt
Bills, TQB BUF,
11:53 AM
News: The Sports Xchange reports that Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's second-half swoon in 2011 was mystifying to fans and media who concluded the front office badly miscalculated in handing the career journeyman a 10-year, $60 million contract extension. But now it appears Fitzpatrick played the final nine games last season with cracked ribs. "A lot of people don't know, but Fitz, during the Washington game, actually cracked a couple of ribs," WR David Nelson said. "So after that he was playing hurt." It showed. In Fitzpatrick's first seven games of the year, he threw for 1,739 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. After the injury, he had 2,093 yards, 10 touchdowns and 16 picks. He finished the year with a league-high 23 interceptions. "It's hard to find the silver lining but as we evaluate the season and what went right and what went wrong I'm sure we'll find a lot of positives and a lot of things that we can carry into next year hopefully and continue to get better at it," Fitzpatrick said.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick obviously has 4,000-yard, 25-touchdown potential, but issues involving the personnel around him along with his own issues (accuracy, for one) make him risky for weekly use in Fantasy. Figure that he's worth a late-round pick as a good No. 2 Fantasy QB with potential to be a low-end starter. It should only help him if the Bills not only re-sign Steve Johnson this offseason, but also add talent at wide receiver.

Josh Scobee
Jags want Scobee back
Josh Scobee, K, JAC
11:47 AM
News: The Sports Xchange reports that Jacksonville has most of its top offensive players locked into contracts for the coming season with one notable exception - kicker Josh Scobee, who is an eight-year veteran. Scobee has been one of the league's most accurate kickers in his eight seasons with the Jaguars, converting better than 75 percent of his field-goal attempts in all but one season. Scobee led the team in scoring last year with 92 points, including 23 of 25 (92 percent) field-goal attempts, the second time in his career he's finished over 90 percent with his kicks. It isn't likely the Jaguars would use the franchise tag on him and probably won't have to. They'll make every attempt to sign him. For a team that was among the league's lowest scoring clubs, the Jaguars can ill afford to lose a player with Scobee's talents.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Scobee. He is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be used as a bye-week replacement as long as he remains with the Jaguars.

 
 
 
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