RB sleepers: Rice running strong
I'm looking squarely at you, Mike Shanahan! Wait, Gary Kubiak, you're on the list, too. Coincidence? I don't think so. In any event, in my previous update to the draft-day goodness on the pages of FOXSports.com, I updated my list of potential quarterback sleepers and breakthrough candidates. This time around, I'm focusing my attention on the ever-changing and sometimes maddening world of running backs.
The "Cat" is out of the bag, so there's no use spending time and characters on the fantasy fortunes of Felix Jones in Dallas. Likewise, we're well aware of the situation in Tennessee after Chris Johnson sprinted 66 yards to daylight in the preseason opener. LenDale White remains the thunderous goal-line option and workhorse in-between the 20s, but the speedy Johnson will most certainly get his cracks on the edges.
Matt Forte and Kevin Smith don't necessarily qualify as sleepers, as they currently sit atop their respective team's depth charts. Rashard Mendenhall is a sexy pick in drafts as an option to eventually force a workload split in Pittsburgh while pilfering goal-line carries from Willie Parker. And Darren McFadden isn't sneaking up on anyone in Oakland.
I'll begin the updated running back sleeper list with two other rookies making noise in camp. Ray Rice has been given a ton of reps in the absence of Willis McGahee (recovering from arthroscopic surgery). Rice rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown in the team's second preseason game against the vaunted Minnesota defense. McGahee is expected back for the opener, but Rice has shown enough to warrant touches immediately. The offensive line is still somewhat of a work in progress. However, the addition of longtime blocking star fullback Lorenzo Neal will help to bridge the gap until the line gels. Rice provides insurance for McGahee owners at the outset of the season with upside.
My colleagues on the "FOX Fantasy Freaks" on FOX Sports Radio will not be surprised that I'm touting Steve Slaton in this forum. Slaton has been impressive in his preseason work, showing good speed and vision. It's undoubtedly a crowded backfield with oft-injured veterans Ahman Green and Chris Brown in tow, but I believe Slaton has the goods to make plays in the open field if given touches.
Ricky Williams was already on my fantasy radar after the Dolphins traded Lorenzo Booker to Philadelphia (see below), leaving just Williams and Ronnie Brown in the Miami backfield. Williams is now installed as the top tailback on the depth chart, with Brown still recovering from last year's devastating injury and a thumb injury sustained in the preseason. Williams has been running with authority, racking up 74 yards on 15 preseason carries. If anyone can get him to return to his dominant ways of the past, it's Bill Parcells.
Carolina tailback Jonathan Stewart would have been listed in that opening diatribe about rookie running backs, but continued pain in his toe has limited his progress. Stewart finally saw the field against the Eagles in the lightning storm game, carrying the ball four times for three yards. He's expected to feel pain and discomfort in his toe all season, although the injury should not worsen.
However, Stewart's inability to claim sole possession of the starting role has opened the door for DeAngelo Williams to work at least a split of the workload to start the year. Williams has rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries this preseason with two touchdowns. He's a strong receiver out of the backfield and would become the full-time back if Stewart experiences a setback. I suspect Stewart ultimately forces an equitable split and pilfers the goal-line work. In the interim, Williams will put up solid numbers from a deep draft slot.
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| LaMont Jordan may not make New England's roster, but keep an eye on how well he performs during preseason. (Jim Rogash / Getty Images) |
New England will enter the year with a logjam in the backfield, which obviously takes a back seat to the high-powered passing game. However, there is precedence for a castoff tailback (Corey Dillon) to come into this system and dominate. As such, LaMont Jordan needs to be on your radar for the final rounds. Jordan could become a goal-line and short-yardage specialist, leaving the work between the 20s to Laurence Maroney.
It should be noted that there remains a possibility that Jordan doesn't make the team, as Sammy Morris (starred last year), longtime hero Kevin Faulk and versatile Heath Evans are still in the mix. It's a longshot pick, but needs to be slapped on the outer edges of the target.
Reggie Bush is performing leaps over defenders and catching balls out of the backfield. He stole the show with that highlight-reel grab, but the second preseason game was significant for another reason. Bush's tag-team partner in the backfield, Deuce McAllister, returned to the field and carried the ball four times for 16 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards.
He demonstrated toughness between the tackles and, though the timing and burst is still a work in progress, needs to be ratcheted up a few notches on the draft board. Barring a setback, McAllister will most certainly resume his goal-line work for the Saints. He's averaged 1,290 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his past four full seasons.
While McAllister is back in the mix, I would be remiss if I failed to pump up New Orleans backup Pierre Thomas, who showed us his all-around ability last year against the Bears. Thomas saw his workload reduced dramatically with McAllister's return to the field, but he still needs to be in the mix during the final rounds. Any injury to McAllister or Bush puts Thomas front and center in a potent offense.
I believe that Brian Westbrook will continue his brilliance for the Eagles this season, but I need to put the second running back in the Philadelphia system on the radar. Booker was brought over in a trade from Miami and appears to be in line for a sizable workload in the passing game. Booker has been featured in two-back sets in practice and would likely be part of a two-back situation with Correll Buckhalter should a more serious injury befall Westbrook.
As an added note, Tony Hunt is being shifted to fullback, opening additional opportunities for Booker. He's a handcuff pick late in drafts, but this former Penn State standout could be an impact player if the Philadelphia offense is clicking as expected.
While Rudi Johnson has been slowed by a hamstring injury, former first-round selection Chris Perry made a case for a role in a timeshare in camp. Perry gained 23 yards on seven touches against the Lions and has shown no ill effects from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since 2006. He's in a fight for playing time with the aforementioned Johnson and Kenny Watson, who shone brightly in Johnson's absence last year, but continued problems for Johnson would leave the door wide open for Perry to finally break through.
I suppose that given his current average draft selection point, Selvin Young of the Broncos needs to be included as the final entry on the list. Young rushed for 729 yards last season and has boldly proclaimed himself a candidate for a 2,000-yard year. He possesses breakaway speed and has the goods to be a top performer for owners in leagues with bonus potential for longer touchdown runs.
Of course, we have to put a second player in the mix for the Broncos. Andre Hall is that second Denver runner to circle back for late in drafts, ahead of Michael Pittman. Hall has been used in goal-line situations in camp and, well, we know Mike Shanahan likes to toy with the minds and hearts of fantasy owners. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry in limited action for the Broncos last year.
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