Previous posts: Tier 1 - Tier 2 - Tier 3 - Tier 4 - Tier 5
The final group of RBs I’m previewing are the guys in Tier 6. Of course, there are more running backs than these 28 guys, but all of them have serious issues surrounding them. In general, you need to find some way to draft at least two of the running backs in these six tiers. In alphabetical order:
Edgerrin James, Arz – Edge gets a post to himself later on.
Julius Jones, Sea – Julius Jones quickly became a man without a country last season, as the supposed “starter” in Dallas watched as he was pushed out and overshadowed by Marion Barber. Despite the fact that Jones was listed as starting all 16 games last year, he only finished with 165 carries for 585 yards. That 3.5 yard per carry average wasn’t scaring anybody, especially with a very good O-line like they had in Dallas. So now he’s the starter (or “starter”) in Seattle. Color me unimpressed. Jones now has to fight off Maurice Morris for carries and should lose goal line carries to T.J. Duckett. If Jones gets 220+ carries he should be a decent fantasy RB2, but keep in mind his upside is pretty limited.
Thomas Jones, NYJ - This is a strange feeling, but I’m optimistic about Thomas Jones this season. I usually don’t like him at all. Jones racked up 1119 rushing yards (nice) but the number I like much better is 310 – that’s how many carries the Jets gave him last season, the fifth highest total in the league. With the Jets significantly upgrading their offensive line this year with Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, those 310 carries will go much further. Jones should also finish with 4-5 rushing touchdowns, a big improvement over last season’s single rushing score. If the Jets get their QB situation nailed down early, TJones should be a surprisingly good fantasy back.
Rudi Johnson, Cin – Wow, I’m really down on Rudi Johnson this season. One of the biggest busts of last season, he’s supposedly healthy and ready to go for 2008. You know what? I don’t care. He was projected to wear out last season – that’s why the Bengals drafted Kenny Irons so early in 2007 – and he wore out. Kenny Watson proved he was more than capable of taking carries and that doesn’t help Rudi’s case. I don’t like the potential Johnson-Watson RRBC, I don’t like the Chad Johnson soap opera, I don’t like Carson Palmer’s 20 interceptions, I don’t like any of it. I think the Bengals are going to stink this year. How’s that for a review?
LenDale White, Ten – White also has enough issues to be worth a post.
