Justin Fargas has become a bit of a wild card with the Raiders drafting McFadden number 4 overall. I don’t know if I like that situation, and his player ranking is sure to have some movement as we make our way through training camp and see what his true role will be.
Fargas stepped in for Lamont Jordan last year and had a breakout season. He was a huge pickup on the waiver wire last year, and earned a big contract in the off-season for his efforts. He’s a favorite of coach Lane Kifflin, who likely has a fondness for the former USC player.
With the drafting of McFadden, however, a crowded Raiders backfield has become a holding tank for talented running backs. With Jordan, Rhodes, Fargas, Michael Bush and now McFadden, we have three NFL starting caliber RB’s, a hot rookie that many think has game breaking abilities much like Bo Jackson, and Bush, who was a stud prospect before an injury. There is no way to get all these guys the ball, and although this situation may be good for the Raiders, it most certainly is not for fantasy football owners looking for where to put these guys in terms of player rankings.
If Fargas is the man in Oakland, he will be a very solid number two back, potentially a very solid number one back. That is difficult, though, as I don’t see how they keep McFadden on the bench all year long, and there is sure to be some type of RB by committee approach for at least a portion of the season. With the muddy situation in the backfield, keep an eye on the Raiders training camp to see how things shake out.
McFadden may well be drafted ahead of Fargas in many drafts this summer. I don’t know about that, as Fargas should start the season as the starter, and should have better numbers. Fargas could slip far enough that he turns into a good gamble, or the Raiders could clarify their running back situation. Keep tabs on this one, Fargas’ fantasy football player ranking will have a lot of movement on it between now and the start of the season.
