Last year the Giants proved that you dont have to have a good running game to win football games. In fact, they proved you dont even have to have a decent running game to win football games. But with the recent departure of complimentary back Brandon Jacobs, the question of who will fill that role arises. The Giants believe in feature back Ahmad Bradshaw or they wouldnt have signed him to a four year deal. Bradshaw has proven he can be an unstoppable force when healthy and given the touches, for example in 2010 where he racked up 1,235 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and also caught 47 passes for 314 yards.
The use of their first round draft pick on former Virginia Tech running back David Wilson does show that the Giants know that their running game is where they need the most help. But with so many teams headed towards an aerial assault offense, it seems many coaches have a tough time being patient and running between the tackles. In 2010 when Bradshaw did his most damage he had 276 attempts, but last year Bradshaw had just 171 attempts. In both 2010 and 2011 Bradshaw led the team in rushing attempts. His injury may have also had something to do with his lack of attempts, but with him fully healthy this year look for his number and opportunities for touches to climb once again.
Even after a year where injuries limited his full production level, Bradshaw was still a solid fantasy option. This year he has fallen down the draft boards due to lack of trust that he has healed from his foot injuries that plagued him last season, and a lack of faith that the Giants will run the ball enough this year. But he hasnt fallen so far that he is a sleeper. His current average draft position is 33rd overall, which puts him going around the third round in most drafts.
Bradshaw has great value for the price of a third round pick with all the potential to turn in a 1,000 yard 10 touchdown season. Even battling injuries last year Bradshaw had 11 touchdowns and over 900 yards. After a 31 point, three touchdown performance (standard scoring) in week 6 of the 2011 season many fantasy owners had a hard time forgetting his name. He will get the bulk of the load and will either have David Wilson back him up as a change of pace back or DJ Ware back him up as a short yardage bruiser.
That brings us to the new guy, David Wilson. Wilson is similar in build to Bradshaw and will work his way into the lineup at some point, but after seeing what Bradshaw can do the Giants are not ready to give Wilson the starting job anytime soon. After playing just one offensive series Bradshaw left Saturday nights preseason games with the Jets with an injury to his hand, but the x-rays came back negative. We can expect to see Bradshaw possibly back by the next preseason game against Chicago on Friday, August 24th but more likely the team will wait until the final preseason game of the year against the Patriots to put Bradshaw back on the field.
If youre looking for a guy who by situation is set up to have a better season than he had last year, then Ahmad Bradshaw is your man. He is a proven player with lots of upside for his price tag.
Original Story:
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August 19, 2012
