Laurence Maroney is a pretty safe pick in the 2008 fantasy football draft. He won’t be a number one back, but should put up some solid numbers as a number two.

Maroney was brought in to be the man in New England. He may be the man, but he does have company in the backfield. Add to that the fact that the Patriots are a throwing team and you have a pretty solid runner who just does not put up huge numbers.

You can count on Maroney to get his carries each week, but I would not count on him to score every week, or even rush for 100 yards most weeks. He will be pretty reliable, and could have some upside if teams learn how to stop the air attack of Brady and company. So just count on him to be pretty reliable (he only ran for 800 yards and change last year, 6 touchdowns, although he was out a few games).

I would not pick up Maroney until about the fifth round. Chances are he’s not going to be there, and I’m ok with that. If he’s around in the fifth, I’ll take a look his way, otherwise I think he’s a player I pass on this year.