NFC East: Fantasy RB team rankings going into 2006
Michael Harmon / FOXSports.com
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
I continue the FOXSports.com off-season NFL coverage with my review of running back situations for each team.
In creating this ranking list, I'm not only considering the strength of the top option, but also reviewing systems, philosophies and available backups.
After all, it's rare for players to take on such a heavy workload and make through an entire NFL season unscathed. The turning of an ankle or missed blocking assignment can change fantasy fortunes on a dime. Therefore, I begin the rankings with a team currently three-deep with running backs who possess starting talent.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas added Terrell Owens to push the passing game to a new level. Drew Bledsoe obviously wins with Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten in the receiving corps, but Julius Jones may prove to be the biggest winner in this move. The attention afforded Dallas receivers will serve to spread the field and offer Jones room to move. The biggest issue facing Jones is his durability. He's missed a total of 11 games in two seasons with various ailments. Even though slowed by injury, Jones narrowly missed the 1,000-yard mark last year (993).
Backup Marion Barber demonstrated an ability to take the load should injury befall Jones once again. Barber topped 80 rushing yards on three occasions and scored five touchdowns (equal to Jones).
14. Washington Redskins
The power running game is the staple of Joe Gibbs' offense in Washington. The return of Jon Jansen solidified the line in 2005 and pushed Clinton Portis back into the game's elite. Portis topped 1,500 rushing yards for the third time in four NFL seasons and scored 11 touchdowns.
Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright return as backups to Portis. Neither has distinguished themselves as a full-time runner in the NFL, though Betts has been effective in limited opportunities.
16. New York Giants
Tom Coughlin and the Giants continue to lean heavily on the legs of Tiki Barber. He topped 300 carries for the third time in four seasons and remains very active in the passing game. Third-year back Derrick Ward played sparingly behind Barber last year and will likely see little action again this year barring an injury to Barber.
Much to the chagrin of Barber owners, Brandon Jacobs assumed the vulture role last season as a rookie. He was significantly more effective than Ron Dayne had been in 2004 with seven touchdowns. Jacobs effectively uses his 6-foot-4 frame in short yardage situations and will be a big factor in the red zone once again.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia generally employs multiple backs within its system. This year figures to be no different with three players in the mix for touches. Brian Westbrook will assume the most prominent role in his return from a foot injury. He doesn't carry the ball 20 times per game as most feature backs do, but his combination of carries and catches typically approaches 20. Ryan Moats showed great explosiveness in his work as the feature back, ripping off long touchdown runs in Weeks 14 and 15. The third back in the mix for the season is Correll Buckhalter. Buckhalter missed the last two seasons because of injury, but he'll receive an opportunity to resume his career in camp. If he's ready to play, he could factor into the Eagles' red zone game plan.
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
I continue the FOXSports.com off-season NFL coverage with my review of running back situations for each team.
In creating this ranking list, I'm not only considering the strength of the top option, but also reviewing systems, philosophies and available backups.
After all, it's rare for players to take on such a heavy workload and make through an entire NFL season unscathed. The turning of an ankle or missed blocking assignment can change fantasy fortunes on a dime. Therefore, I begin the rankings with a team currently three-deep with running backs who possess starting talent.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas added Terrell Owens to push the passing game to a new level. Drew Bledsoe obviously wins with Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten in the receiving corps, but Julius Jones may prove to be the biggest winner in this move. The attention afforded Dallas receivers will serve to spread the field and offer Jones room to move. The biggest issue facing Jones is his durability. He's missed a total of 11 games in two seasons with various ailments. Even though slowed by injury, Jones narrowly missed the 1,000-yard mark last year (993).
Backup Marion Barber demonstrated an ability to take the load should injury befall Jones once again. Barber topped 80 rushing yards on three occasions and scored five touchdowns (equal to Jones).
14. Washington Redskins
The power running game is the staple of Joe Gibbs' offense in Washington. The return of Jon Jansen solidified the line in 2005 and pushed Clinton Portis back into the game's elite. Portis topped 1,500 rushing yards for the third time in four NFL seasons and scored 11 touchdowns.
Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright return as backups to Portis. Neither has distinguished themselves as a full-time runner in the NFL, though Betts has been effective in limited opportunities.
16. New York Giants
Tom Coughlin and the Giants continue to lean heavily on the legs of Tiki Barber. He topped 300 carries for the third time in four seasons and remains very active in the passing game. Third-year back Derrick Ward played sparingly behind Barber last year and will likely see little action again this year barring an injury to Barber.
Much to the chagrin of Barber owners, Brandon Jacobs assumed the vulture role last season as a rookie. He was significantly more effective than Ron Dayne had been in 2004 with seven touchdowns. Jacobs effectively uses his 6-foot-4 frame in short yardage situations and will be a big factor in the red zone once again.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia generally employs multiple backs within its system. This year figures to be no different with three players in the mix for touches. Brian Westbrook will assume the most prominent role in his return from a foot injury. He doesn't carry the ball 20 times per game as most feature backs do, but his combination of carries and catches typically approaches 20. Ryan Moats showed great explosiveness in his work as the feature back, ripping off long touchdown runs in Weeks 14 and 15. The third back in the mix for the season is Correll Buckhalter. Buckhalter missed the last two seasons because of injury, but he'll receive an opportunity to resume his career in camp. If he's ready to play, he could factor into the Eagles' red zone game plan.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:48 PM
<< Home