Impact Rookies – Running Backs

By:  The Skiman

Date: 6/14/07 

 

No other rookie position on the offensive side of the ball is more impactful than at running back.  Get the ball.  Run the ball.  Unlike a wide receiver, tight end or quarterback, running backs typically are the most productive fantasy players on offense.   

All wide receivers, tight ends and you could argue quarterbacks, combined from the first round were not as productive as just the running backs.  But this is no surprise and is typically what we expect.  Quarterbacks need to learn their respective offenses and the opposing defenses, wide receivers need to adjust to the new routes, develop a rapport with their quarterback and adjust to the speed of the NFL DBs.   Tight ends are usually under similar pressure but can fit in the short passing and blocking schemes a little more readily.  

Look at last year's first few players at each position.  The first RB taken was Reggie Bush.  Reggie ran well in tandem with Deuce McAllister, caught a ton of balls from the backfield and from the slot while returning punts and kicks.  Nice opening season.  Laurence Maroney had similar rushing duties in New England and returned punts and kicks for part of the season.  Joseph Addia only became an integral part of the Colts Superbowl run and ran Dominic Rhodes out of town.  Can you name me a wide receiver that came out of the first round?   

This year there were a number of running backs that were drafted.  Barring a Curtis Martin or Terrell Davis coming out of the late rounds, a handful could step up and produce. 

1. Adrian Peterson
   

This guy was injured most of his final collegiate career but when he was healthy he looked like a young Shawn Alexander.  In Minnesota he'll be teamed up with Chester Taylor and should be at least as effective as Joseph Addai or Laurence Maroney were last season.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he had the primary role carrying the ball all to himself by game 6. 

Late First Rounder 

1. Marshawn Lynch
   

Marshawn was a dynamic back in college and now has to beat out the A-Train.  This shouldn't be a tall order.  Look for Lynch to break a thousand yards this season and have 10 total touchdowns behind an improved offensive line.

Early Second Rounder 

1. Chris Henry
   

Another year, another Henry.  Travis Henry moved to Denver and created another situation where a rookie could come in and steal the starting role with little or no competition.  This kid is big, fast and has soft hands.  He looks like Michael Bell out of Arizona last year except that even with little playing time the scouts were putting information on him long before the draft.  The backfield in Tennessee is thin to begin with and with LenDale White is in Jeff Fischer's doghouse look for Henry to produce with similar results as his predecessor Travis.

Late Fifth Rounder

1. Brandon Jackson
   

This guy is the dark horse of the bunch.  He's coming into a situation with a very unsettled backfield and could come out on top.  Every guy that runs in Green Bay is somewhat successful and this guy looks like a shoe in as a third down back, minimum.

Tenth Rounder   

Other guys that you should keep an eye on:

Brian Leonard, Michael Bush (OAK), Lorenzo Booker (MIA), Kenny Irons (CIN) and Darrius Walker (undrafted)