I don't know why so many pundits and journalists think the preseason is unimportant. Not only does it help determine NFL rosters, but it also means its time for fantasy football scouting. Sure, its not like we are trying to draft a team for the real Super Bowl, but to us postseason fantasy victory is our little Super Bowl.
With that said, over the next week I am going to be doing a series of articles focusing on who the big players are going to be in fantasy football this year, starting with the running backs.
It is no secret that drafting a good running back can make or break your season. The ground game is an important part to fantasy football because there is usually just one running back getting most the carries, unlike wide receivers who have the ball spread around. A back can pull in the upwards of 20-30 points in a week depending on the scoring style.
Top 5 Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson - This is the obvious number one overall pick in a fantasy draft. Peterson is the most explosive offensive player in the NFL and will put points on the board. It also helps his fantasy stock since the Vikings are a run oriented team. What team wouldn't be with this guy? There isn't much to be said about Peterson other than, if you have the first overall pick you better be taking him.
2. Michael Turner - While Turner had been around the league for the last few years, he really burst on to the scene last year with the Atlanta Falcons. The running game was key to Atlanta's success and they struck a good balance between running the football and throwing it. He is projected to go number two overall but don't be surprised if a flashy receiver like Larry Fitzgerald is taken over him. If you get Turner be ready for lots of touchdowns and be sure to get a secondary back that can get you the yards.
3. DeAngello Williams - Here is where I begin to differ from the experts. Many have Maurice Jones-Drew as the third top running back but I am not too sure. While Jones-Drew had 12 touchdowns on the ground, he only had 824 yards rushing. Williams, on the other hand, had 1515 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns. He is a scoring machine and did all of it splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart. Jones-Drew does have more receiving yards but still has fewer total yards than Williams. With a inconsistent passing game in Carolina, don't be surprised if Williams isn't again at the the top of the fantasy world.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Even though Jones-Drew lost the third spot, he only dropped to number four on my list. It is his receiving yards that gives him value. He doesn't get a ton of yards on the ground, but has a enough receiving yards and goal line touchdowns to make it worth your while.
5. Matt Forte - What a rookie season for this kid last year. Chicago struggled moving the ball through the passing game all year, but Forte remained consistent. Expect much of the same this year as Jay Cutler seems to be unable to maintain a rhythm with his receivers. To go along with his rushing yards, expect Forte to have a ton of receiving yards, seeing as Cutler likes to check down often. He isn't a top pick over a some receivers and quarterbacks, but is a solid number one running back.
5 Surprises
1. Kevin Smith - I know I know, I am a Lions fan so it looks like I am just plugging the hometown kid. In reality though, he may have a very good year. New head coach Jim Schwartz has put an emphasis on running the football in Detroit. While Smith only had eight touchdowns last year, he was only 24 yards short of a 1,000 yard season. Provided that the defense can keep the Lions out of an early hole expect the Motor-City Kitties to run the ball.
2. Steve Slaton - Can we really call him a surprise for this year? Slaton had a fantastic season last year with almost 1,300 yards. It was his low number of touchdowns that keeps him out of the top five best. Slaton should be an important part to Houston's run to the playoffs. With the team searching for their first postseason birth, they will have to vary the run and pass game. Look for Slaton in the backfield as well as the flat.
3. Ray Rice - Mini-Ray, as many call him in Baltimore, has all but locked up the starting spot for the Ravens. Even though he may be small in frame, he certainly can turn on the speed. He is in a system that is characterized by their love of smash mouth football. As a result the Ravens will do two things: play defense and run the ball. Rice is poised to have a huge season and don't be surprised if he is towards the top of the AFC. His extra speed gear will certainly lead to some long touchdown runs.
4. Knowshon Moreno - Even though he hasn't practiced in two weeks, expect him back for the regular season Moreno is on a team that hasn't been able to the run the ball in a few years, but is also going to struggle in the passing game. Look for the Bronco's to run a lot this year. To go along with his abilities in the backfield he will be a safety blanket for who ever starts for Denver. His out routes and curls will provide easy completions for either Chris Simms or Kyle Orton.
5. Rashard Mendenhall - Lets be real here, while Ben Roethlisberger is a winner, he is not an amazing quarterback. As a result, the Steelers are successful in the run. In past years it has been "way fast" Willie Parker that has taken the snaps for Pittsburgh. But there are questions about his ability to stay healthy. I am not putting a lot of faith in Parker this year, thus I think he will be oft injured. Mendenhall will be able to step in and take the carries and gain the yards needed to be a solid number two back.
With that said, over the next week I am going to be doing a series of articles focusing on who the big players are going to be in fantasy football this year, starting with the running backs.
It is no secret that drafting a good running back can make or break your season. The ground game is an important part to fantasy football because there is usually just one running back getting most the carries, unlike wide receivers who have the ball spread around. A back can pull in the upwards of 20-30 points in a week depending on the scoring style.
Top 5 Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson - This is the obvious number one overall pick in a fantasy draft. Peterson is the most explosive offensive player in the NFL and will put points on the board. It also helps his fantasy stock since the Vikings are a run oriented team. What team wouldn't be with this guy? There isn't much to be said about Peterson other than, if you have the first overall pick you better be taking him.
2. Michael Turner - While Turner had been around the league for the last few years, he really burst on to the scene last year with the Atlanta Falcons. The running game was key to Atlanta's success and they struck a good balance between running the football and throwing it. He is projected to go number two overall but don't be surprised if a flashy receiver like Larry Fitzgerald is taken over him. If you get Turner be ready for lots of touchdowns and be sure to get a secondary back that can get you the yards.
3. DeAngello Williams - Here is where I begin to differ from the experts. Many have Maurice Jones-Drew as the third top running back but I am not too sure. While Jones-Drew had 12 touchdowns on the ground, he only had 824 yards rushing. Williams, on the other hand, had 1515 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns. He is a scoring machine and did all of it splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart. Jones-Drew does have more receiving yards but still has fewer total yards than Williams. With a inconsistent passing game in Carolina, don't be surprised if Williams isn't again at the the top of the fantasy world.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Even though Jones-Drew lost the third spot, he only dropped to number four on my list. It is his receiving yards that gives him value. He doesn't get a ton of yards on the ground, but has a enough receiving yards and goal line touchdowns to make it worth your while.
5. Matt Forte - What a rookie season for this kid last year. Chicago struggled moving the ball through the passing game all year, but Forte remained consistent. Expect much of the same this year as Jay Cutler seems to be unable to maintain a rhythm with his receivers. To go along with his rushing yards, expect Forte to have a ton of receiving yards, seeing as Cutler likes to check down often. He isn't a top pick over a some receivers and quarterbacks, but is a solid number one running back.
5 Surprises
1. Kevin Smith - I know I know, I am a Lions fan so it looks like I am just plugging the hometown kid. In reality though, he may have a very good year. New head coach Jim Schwartz has put an emphasis on running the football in Detroit. While Smith only had eight touchdowns last year, he was only 24 yards short of a 1,000 yard season. Provided that the defense can keep the Lions out of an early hole expect the Motor-City Kitties to run the ball.
2. Steve Slaton - Can we really call him a surprise for this year? Slaton had a fantastic season last year with almost 1,300 yards. It was his low number of touchdowns that keeps him out of the top five best. Slaton should be an important part to Houston's run to the playoffs. With the team searching for their first postseason birth, they will have to vary the run and pass game. Look for Slaton in the backfield as well as the flat.
3. Ray Rice - Mini-Ray, as many call him in Baltimore, has all but locked up the starting spot for the Ravens. Even though he may be small in frame, he certainly can turn on the speed. He is in a system that is characterized by their love of smash mouth football. As a result the Ravens will do two things: play defense and run the ball. Rice is poised to have a huge season and don't be surprised if he is towards the top of the AFC. His extra speed gear will certainly lead to some long touchdown runs.
4. Knowshon Moreno - Even though he hasn't practiced in two weeks, expect him back for the regular season Moreno is on a team that hasn't been able to the run the ball in a few years, but is also going to struggle in the passing game. Look for the Bronco's to run a lot this year. To go along with his abilities in the backfield he will be a safety blanket for who ever starts for Denver. His out routes and curls will provide easy completions for either Chris Simms or Kyle Orton.
5. Rashard Mendenhall - Lets be real here, while Ben Roethlisberger is a winner, he is not an amazing quarterback. As a result, the Steelers are successful in the run. In past years it has been "way fast" Willie Parker that has taken the snaps for Pittsburgh. But there are questions about his ability to stay healthy. I am not putting a lot of faith in Parker this year, thus I think he will be oft injured. Mendenhall will be able to step in and take the carries and gain the yards needed to be a solid number two back.
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Thanks Andrew. You have spilled the beans on Ray Rice. He was going to be my sleeper. Honestly, I don't know, maybe he was everyone's sleeper.
It's funny to look at your Top 5. Aside from Adrian Peterson, I don't think the other 4 were even known in the NFL except possibly by their home teams, if they were in the NFL. Shows how quickly things can change.
Wow Tony and what other leagues are you in b/c the public would want to join ;)
I'm guessing most NFL fans know their names.
Sorry, my message was not that clear.
That should have been "...were even known 5 years ago..."
Shows my mistake for trying to comment after a long week on a Friday afternoon.