FakeTeams: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: June USA Today / SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings Released


Rookie Running Backs - Part 2

Here's the second part of my review of this year's rookie running backs. Part 1 can be found here.


Two Stars
 
Darren McFadden, Oak
- He was considered the best rookie running back prospect coming into the season, but so far he hasn't come close to that title. He had a huge 21 carry, 164 yard performance in Week 2, but has totaled less than 140 yards total in the four games since then.  He also has had fewer than nine carries in each of the past three games.  There's no way for him to succeed if the Raiders just don't use him.  That may change under new coach Tom Cable, but the early signs are that the Raiders are going back to Justin Fargas so it's just more fantasy chaos from the Raiders.  Things don't look like they're going to get better for McFadden owners this season.
 
Kevin Smith, Det - Considering the Lions have been terrible so far, and considering the Lions don't give him enough carries (only one game with more than ten carries), Jones is doing relatively well.  His 4.9 yds/carry average and touchdowns in two of the past three games are positives. However, you don't want to hear about positives if your fantasy team is losing because you had been counting on him.  Has a lot of potential upside for the second half, but right now he's unreliable for your fantasy team.   The best you (and the city of Detroit) can hope for is for a coaching change.  Very soon.  Please hurry.
 
One Star
 
Tim Hightower, Arz - He's a touchdown machine (five TDs in six games) but not much else.  In larger leagues, that's enough.  He's a gamble every week, but if Edge goes down Hightower will be a fantasy star in every league. 
 
Felix Jones, Dal - He was shaping up as a nice flex option before his injury, especially in leagues that score for kick/punt returns.   As long as the Cowboys don't panic and rush him back too soon, he should be  productive for the rest of the year. 
 
 
Zero Stars
 
Jamaal Charles, KC
- He hasn't done anything yet, but with Larry Johnson benched/suspended/overpaid for the rest of the season, there's a very good chance Charles may have the starting job some time soon.  He's a guy to grab now if he's still available in your league.
 
Ray Rice, Bal - There were reports in the offseason that Rice was looking so impressive the Ravens were considering cutting Willis McGahee and handing the starting job to Rice. Eh, not seeing it.  A 3.0 yd/carry average isn't going to impress anybody.  Barring a McGahee injury (which, now that I think about it, is almost inevitable) he won't have any fantasy value.
 
Rashard Mendenhall, Pit - He was damn unlucky picking up a season-ending injury right before Willie Parker did, but to be honest he didn't look that great before the injury.

 

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Hightower

Keep an eye on him, he’s getting more and more carries. There are grumblings that he could end up starting by years end.

by cgolden on Oct 28, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not really surprising

Will the Cards run enough that Hightower will get 50+ yards? Not being critical as I believe James’ clock has run out. I just wonder if having three exceelent receiving options has the Cards throwing all the time.

by faketeams on Oct 29, 2008 6:22 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This story showed up on the “Stories from around SBN” area, and I noticed Ray Rices name. I think you may want to toss him a star or two after this week. A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOUR yards… I think we now see what the Ravens saw, maybe thats why McGahee though activated had NO touched

Life is nothing but Beats & Rhymes

by Matchz Malone on Nov 2, 2008 6:31 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Fantasy Sports.
Start posting on FakeTeams »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

P1_revis_profile_page_small
Trade Advice
Uconn_logo_small
OT: Arthurian Legend For 21st Century
Erin-andrews-butt-shot2_small
Jered Weaver... sell?
Fantasy_judgment_logo_small
Fantasy Sports Arbitration
Small
Brewers Trade Options
Small
What to do with Colby Rasmus?
Iwant2believe1240x1024_small
Corey Hart and Starting Pitching
Chicken_slam_large_2_small
Is Keith Law "borrowing" my material on Strasburg...
Mccovey_willie_3_small
NL-Only: E Dukes, G Parra, J Schafer
Mccovey_willie_3_small
NL-only: Bastardo, Medlen or West?

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Managers

Uconn_logo_small faketeams

Beer_emotions_small Skeller

Small raygu

Authors

Unknown-4_small RJK

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports