Primary Backs

After a brief vacation induced hiatus, I am back.

Like all preseasons and prior to fantasy draft days, I do a ton of reading. I have become a fan of Fantasy Clicks, written by Jay Clemons on SI.com. I don't always agree with his insights, but it IS interesting reading nonetheless. And hell, if you can't read someone else's opinion and take from it what you will, then good luck. Anyhow, recently, the following running backs were listed at the 11 running backs who "WILL carry the load" for their respective teams:

Michael Turner, Falcons

Matt Forte, Bears

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

Steven Jackson, Rams

Steve Slaton, Texans

Brandon Jacobs, Giants

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

Clinton Portis, Redskins

Kevin Smith, Lions

Cedric Benson, Bengals

Julius Jones, Seahawks

I agree with most of the list, but not all. For instance, while Brandon Jacobs is a nice fantasy commodity, his running mate, Ahmad Bradshaw will have an almost equal year (plus Jacobs has been injury prone). Still, there are a few nuggets to be gained from looking at the analysis.

Take a look at Cedric Benson at spot #10. The reason I point him out is, IF he is the primary back in Cincinnati, he could have excellent value where he is going in drafts. I just checked the average draft position on him and found him at pick 83, or somewhere in round 7 or 8 depending on the number of teams in your league. You can't beat a starting running back taken that late in the game.

Ronnie Brown. Now there is an interesting accessment. Brown is coming off of major knee surgery. He also has a backfield mate in Ricky Williams. I would use caution in taking him too early in drafts. His ADP is around 31, which means late 3 round. In my estimation, that is a bit early for Brown.

I am not sure how Kevin Smith became fantasy relevent. Detroit might be moving in the right direction, but if they win more than 5 games this year, I would be surprised. And from a fantasy perspective, the only player I am watching with any great interest is Calvin Johnson (with good reason). But I am not puying Smith as anything more than mediocre. I will eat crow if he is more than a 30th ranked fantasy back. He is at 38 in RDP right now.

Now for the eye candy. See the sweetness that is Jessica Barton.