Buffalo Bills
In 13 games of his rookie season, Marshawn Lynch played just like a first round pick, putting up nearly 1300 total yards and 7 TD’s. Taking into account that he was replaced on third downs by Anthony Thomas and Fred Jackson that makes those numbers even more impressive. New Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert expects Lynch’s to be an every down back assuming he improves on his pass protection during the off-season.
In the two games Lynch missed, Fred Jackson stepped in to put up 272 total yards; an effort that earned him more reps upon Lynch’s return to the field. The 26 year old rookie impressed enough to earn the backup running back title in 2008. A favorite of Dick Jauron, Anthony Thomas at best will battle Fred Jackson for the backup role and at worst will battle for a roster spot in 2008. At 31 his best years are behind him but his veteran presence would be missed if he were cut. Dwyane Wright, the 24 year old rookie from Fresno State, saw limited action is his first year on the Bills. He’s presently no more than a third stringer heading into 2008.
Fantasy Outlook:
Lynch was drafted as a RB2 last year but expect him to be one of the more solid RB1 and possible first round selection in 2008 re-drafts. Lynch has a super high value in dynasty formats and is a must keeper. Fred Jackson can be looked at as a definite handcuff in all formats. Anthony Thomas has no value and Dwayne Wright can be released in deep dynasty formats.
Off-season Plans:
The Bills look to be set at the RB position but may bring in a free agent or two to battle Thomas or Wright for a roster spot.
Miami Dolphins
After two woeful games to start the year, Ronnie Brown exploded over the next four games with an average of over 185 total yards while scoring five times. The fantasy world was hyped for what was shaping up to be a career year. Unfortunately a torn ACL in a game against the Patriots prematurely ended the star running back's season. With a difficult rehab already reportedly ahead of schedule, Ronnie Brown looks to recapture the momentum he was building last year. There's no reason to think Brown won't be the starting running back for the Dolphins Week 1, but that declaration doesn’t come without some question marks.
Although the Dolphins have expressed an interest to bring back Jesse Chatman, it’s not a lock that he’ll return in 2008. Chatman filled in admirably for Brown before befalling his own injury. While he played well, he was a student of former coach Cam Cameron’s system so obviously his value now isn’t so high with the new regime. Lorenzo Booker was inactive most of the year, but the rookie from Florida State was given some game action toward the end of the seaon and responded well with a 4.5 YPC as well as showing impressive receiving ability, racking up 237 yards. He’ll be groomed in Miami to be a Kevin Faulk-like scat back and should flourish in that role.
Ricky Williams refuses to die. After serving his umpteenth suspension, Ricky’s recent return in 07 proved to be lackluster as he exited his first game after six carries and 15 yards. Parcells should convince owner Wayne Huzienga it’s time to part ways with the one time super star and start fresh. Despite reports to the contrary, don’t expect Ricky back in 2008. Lastly, Samkon Gado remains a underrated power back who scored three times in his only two games of serious action. While he may be viewed as no more than a third string back, he can get it done at the goal line and short yardage situations.
Fantasy Outlook-
Drafted as a RB2 last year, fantasy owners were in awe of Ronnie Brown during his four game showcase so it’s likely someone will take him toward the end of round 1 this year. Besides the recovery from the ACL (which Deuce McAllister was able to overcome and have a good season the following year), you have to remember that his best four games of the year in 2007 came against the poor run defenses of the Jets, Raiders, Texans and Browns. Lorenzo Booker doesn’t have the size to be a backup in case Ronnie Brown isn’t ready or gets re-injured so his fantasy value is somewhat minimal in re-draft formats but he still warrants a roster spot in a dynasty league. Gado should keep his place as waiver wire fodder in all fantasy formats if he returns as he's just an injury away from becoming relevant for a game or two on a yearly basis.
Off-Season Plans-
With Ronnie Brown and Lorenzo Booker the only thing of true value on the roster, expect the Dolphins to bring in a free agent and a draft choice to battle Chatman, Gado and Williams for a roster spot.
In 13 games of his rookie season, Marshawn Lynch played just like a first round pick, putting up nearly 1300 total yards and 7 TD’s. Taking into account that he was replaced on third downs by Anthony Thomas and Fred Jackson that makes those numbers even more impressive. New Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert expects Lynch’s to be an every down back assuming he improves on his pass protection during the off-season.
In the two games Lynch missed, Fred Jackson stepped in to put up 272 total yards; an effort that earned him more reps upon Lynch’s return to the field. The 26 year old rookie impressed enough to earn the backup running back title in 2008. A favorite of Dick Jauron, Anthony Thomas at best will battle Fred Jackson for the backup role and at worst will battle for a roster spot in 2008. At 31 his best years are behind him but his veteran presence would be missed if he were cut. Dwyane Wright, the 24 year old rookie from Fresno State, saw limited action is his first year on the Bills. He’s presently no more than a third stringer heading into 2008.
Fantasy Outlook:
Lynch was drafted as a RB2 last year but expect him to be one of the more solid RB1 and possible first round selection in 2008 re-drafts. Lynch has a super high value in dynasty formats and is a must keeper. Fred Jackson can be looked at as a definite handcuff in all formats. Anthony Thomas has no value and Dwayne Wright can be released in deep dynasty formats.
Off-season Plans:
The Bills look to be set at the RB position but may bring in a free agent or two to battle Thomas or Wright for a roster spot.
Miami Dolphins
After two woeful games to start the year, Ronnie Brown exploded over the next four games with an average of over 185 total yards while scoring five times. The fantasy world was hyped for what was shaping up to be a career year. Unfortunately a torn ACL in a game against the Patriots prematurely ended the star running back's season. With a difficult rehab already reportedly ahead of schedule, Ronnie Brown looks to recapture the momentum he was building last year. There's no reason to think Brown won't be the starting running back for the Dolphins Week 1, but that declaration doesn’t come without some question marks.
Although the Dolphins have expressed an interest to bring back Jesse Chatman, it’s not a lock that he’ll return in 2008. Chatman filled in admirably for Brown before befalling his own injury. While he played well, he was a student of former coach Cam Cameron’s system so obviously his value now isn’t so high with the new regime. Lorenzo Booker was inactive most of the year, but the rookie from Florida State was given some game action toward the end of the seaon and responded well with a 4.5 YPC as well as showing impressive receiving ability, racking up 237 yards. He’ll be groomed in Miami to be a Kevin Faulk-like scat back and should flourish in that role.
Ricky Williams refuses to die. After serving his umpteenth suspension, Ricky’s recent return in 07 proved to be lackluster as he exited his first game after six carries and 15 yards. Parcells should convince owner Wayne Huzienga it’s time to part ways with the one time super star and start fresh. Despite reports to the contrary, don’t expect Ricky back in 2008. Lastly, Samkon Gado remains a underrated power back who scored three times in his only two games of serious action. While he may be viewed as no more than a third string back, he can get it done at the goal line and short yardage situations.
Fantasy Outlook-
Drafted as a RB2 last year, fantasy owners were in awe of Ronnie Brown during his four game showcase so it’s likely someone will take him toward the end of round 1 this year. Besides the recovery from the ACL (which Deuce McAllister was able to overcome and have a good season the following year), you have to remember that his best four games of the year in 2007 came against the poor run defenses of the Jets, Raiders, Texans and Browns. Lorenzo Booker doesn’t have the size to be a backup in case Ronnie Brown isn’t ready or gets re-injured so his fantasy value is somewhat minimal in re-draft formats but he still warrants a roster spot in a dynasty league. Gado should keep his place as waiver wire fodder in all fantasy formats if he returns as he's just an injury away from becoming relevant for a game or two on a yearly basis.
Off-Season Plans-
With Ronnie Brown and Lorenzo Booker the only thing of true value on the roster, expect the Dolphins to bring in a free agent and a draft choice to battle Chatman, Gado and Williams for a roster spot.
New England Patriots
After Corey Dillon's release big things were expected from Laurence Maroney in 2008. Unfortunately all excited fantasy owners got was the same production of his rookie season. Maroney's season was plagued by a Pats offense that was an aerial juggernaut. When they chose to run, Maroney's number was rarely called the first half of the season at the goal line with Sammy Morris usually getting the nod. Frustrating owners even more, by Week 10 even both fullbacks on the roster, Eckel and Evans, had reached the endzone before Maroney crossed the stripe. After Sammy Morris suffered a season ending injury, Belichick and Josh McDaniels were forced to lean heavily on Maroney and he responded with 6 TD's and in the last 7 games dominating the first two playoff games with 122 yards and a TD in both, bowling through the stout run defenses of the Chargers and Jaguars.
Sammy Morris is a veteran favorite of Bill Belichick and with a newly signed four year deal prior to 2007, don't expect him to just disappear after Maroney's big second half. He should regain his spot in the Pats run committee so expect him to siphon carries and goal line opportunities from Maroney. In his first five games, while Maroney was held scoreless, Morris found the goal line 3 times and put up over 100 yards twice. Sure, most of that production came against opponents dime packages as they attempted to thwart Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Randy Moss, but since their approach isn't expected to change in 08, it's completely conceivable to think Morris would get the same an identical workload.
Kevin Faulk will always be more valuable to a real football team than to a fantasy team, but his presence will continue to regale Maroney to the sidelines on third down and long situations. Kyle Eckel and Heath Evans continue their unlikely spot carries and man it's fun watching those big boys run the ball.
Fantasy Outlook:
Heading into next season, it would be hard to trust Belichick to use Maroney on a consistent basis and with the presence of Morris, Faulk not to mention both fullbacks, Maroney's projections should be tempered. He remains valuable in keeper and dynasty formats, but his 2nd half of the season and playoff output may skew his ADP in redrafts. Sammy Morris should remain a late round addition and be viewed as a handcuff. Faulk, Eckel and Evans remain irrelevant in fantasy circles.
Off-Season Plans -
The Pats are set and aren't expected to add a RB this off-season
New York Jets
The Jets were never able to develop much running back depth in 2007 and somehow were able to make it through the year solely with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington on the active roster. Thomas Jones, obtained in a high profile trade from the Chicago Bears, was expected to remind Jets fans of Curtis Martin but the offense regressed last season, stifling production from the tailback position in Gotham. The fact that Jones was able to fight for over 1,000 yards behind the young offensive line and the quarterback shuffle is a testament to his toughness. Leon Washington was able to provide a sorely needed spark to a otherwise stagnant Jets offense in 2007, as he did as a rookie in 2006. He'll continue to be the third down back in New York.
Fantasy Outlook:
While his ADP in redrafts will be woefully low, Thomas Jones will represent one of the better value picks in the middle rounds of drafts this year. Of course if the Jets spend an early draft pick on a running back, especially a first rounder, Thomas Jones could be part of a dreaded RBBC. At 29, he's not a hot commodity in dynasty formats and after his 2007 season, not an option in any keeper formats. Leon Washington is too insconsistent to be relied upon for fantasy purposes, unless your league gives points for kick returns yards and TD's.
Off Season Plans -
The Jets must address their lack of depth at the running back position. Utilizing an early pick on a running back would be wise, as would adding a free agent to the mix.
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