Fantasy Football Forgotten Firepower: Running Backs
We all hate that guy for two reasons:
1. He never shuts up.
2. You wish it was you who picked up Matt Schaub in the waning moments of your draft. You spent hours and hours forecasting performances, predicting the next fantasy savior, and T.J. Whosyourmamma guy hit the jackpot with Jamaal Charles.
Who will be the player that earns you bragging rights all season? Here are a few suggestions. But, before you Joan-of-Arc me at the stake, remember; the following three backs are meant to be selected in the sixth to ninth rounds, after you’ve picked a top QB, RB, WR, and TE:
Seattle’s 5’8” firecracker is ready to make an impact. Last year his carries were spotty until week ten, when Seattle’s brass had more confidence in the Cal grad. After week ten (and the final decline of backfield bust Julius Jones) Forsett touched the ball at least ten times every game except one: 22, 16, 22, 8, 13, 11, 15, 12. In week 13, he only had eight touches, but he scored a touchdown.
Forsett’s main value lies in his ability to break the big play on the ground and in the air. In the four games he ran the ball at least ten times, Forsett scampered for runs of 16, 24, 24, 26, and 35 yards. In two of the games in which he didn’t get ten carries, he had catches or 45 and 47 yards.
My suggestion? Forget the handcuff rumors about Leon Washington. Justin Forsett is the beast that will strike fear in your opponents hearts, like the sound of French’s M-80’s going off outside the apartment in The Departed.
Sure, the geniuses who drafted Forte in the first or second round last year probably spent their Sunday nights lamenting over a double of scotch next to the hapless chap who drafted LT in the first round. No matter how much those lonely, boozy nights cost your liver or your wallet, consider offering an olive basket, Turk Malloy style, to Mr. Forte. Why?
My old fantasy football maxim: a player who has a record season probably wont’ perform up to the same level next season (Chris Johnson owners beware), and a player who had an absolutely dismal season probably won’t perform down to the same level again (thank you 2005-2006 Clinton Portis… more on that later).
Forte will never be a high YPC guy; he’s only averaged 3.9 yards and 3.6 yards in his two years in the league. However, his ability to catch the ball works to his favor in Mike Martz’s wide open offense. Sure, Martz loves a pass-heavy offense, but don’t forget that Marshall Faulk thrived under Martz’s system. Forte is no Faulk, that’s for sure, but expect him to up his rushing totals, receiving totals, and touchdown totals this year. He won’t be a points titan, but he’ll be a more-than-adequate 2nd RB.
Is Clinton Portis an old man? Yes. Is he coming off an injury season? Yes. Are there other running backs ready to fill in for Bro Sweets? Yes. Is he 30-years old yet? No.
Ok, so one “No” answer out of three. Not too promising. But then again, we’re talking a sixth- to tenth-round pick here. Portis played half a season last year because of a concussion he got after getting clubbed in the head by two Atlanta Falcons defenders. His legs will be fresh, and he’s capable of producing 1400+ total yards and seven or eight touchdowns. Owners forget that the former Miami Hurricane was a top-ten back in 2008, amassing nearly 1700 total yards and nine touchdowns. In fact, Portis has been a top-five to top-ten back in every season but two.
Concussions are a tricky thing, just ask fantasy Superman Brian Westbrook. However, a wager on Portis in the late rounds is well worth the upside. Your liver just might thank you.
Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Justin Forsett, Matt Forte, Clinton Portis, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Julius Jones, Brian Westbrook, Mike Martz
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