Michael Turner is an interesting player when we look at his 2008 fantasy football ranking. He is a bit of an unknown, but has a pretty substantial upside for where I expect him to go in the draft.
Turner has been LT’s back up for years now. He steps in and performs at a stud level when called upon, and has logged some decent game time. He’s a strong back, and the Falcons are going to want to establish the run. He will get every opportunity to take the reins in Atlanta, and could wind up a top ten back this year.
One of my concerns, however, is Norwood. Norwood has run well for the Falcons, and will be a factor in their backfield this season. I don’t see him as being more than a third down back, but this does open the running back by committee can of worms.
My other concern is that Turner has not played a full season. He has put up some good numbers when he has played, but much of that has come in the second half of games where LT has beaten the defense down already. Can he step up and be a featured back? I think he can, but I’m not rising anything higher than maybe a fifth round pick to find out.
Keep an eye on how he runs in the preseason, and keep tabs on news out of Atlanta regarding how they are going to use him and Norwood. Turner is a back who may move up my draft board as we close in on draft day.
