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Felix Jones is a rookie who will stay under the radar for a little while, but will get playing time and put up some decent numbers. Expect him to play a role similar to the role of Julius Jones, and share carries with Barber.
Jones will be a good late round pickup this season, with big upside if Marion Barber gets injured. He’s worth a flyer pick in all leagues, a must draft for the guy who used a first round pick on Barber.
LaMont Jordan is a bit of a late round sleeper pick this year. Going to New England added tremendous value to Jordan. He will get some carries every game, and if the injury bug hits the running backs of New England again, Jordan could step into an excellent starting position. Take a look at Jordan with a late round flyer.
Matt Forte will be a hot sleeper pick this season, but not for me. The Bears just signed Kevin Jones, Ad Peterson will get some touches, I don’t know if Forte is going to be a 20 touch back this year.
The signing of Kevin Jones will either push Forte to step up and win the starting job, or it will usher in some kind of running back by committee approach. I like Forte, but I don’t know that he is going to be able to step in and be the man to shoulder the load for this team.
I see Forte as a 10-15 touch per game back, with some upside if he surprises. Draft him as a number three back, who has some upside. I don’t know that he has enough upside that I would draft in in the first five or six rounds, and I have a feeling that is where he goes by time draft day gets here. Keep an eye on the Bears running back situation, things could change.
Ad Peterson could be a sneaky little sleeper pick for the 2008 fantasy football season.
The Bears drafted Matt Forte in the draft, and cut Cedric Benson. Their intention is for Forte to start, and they have said they won’t be bringing in additional running backs. If that is the case, Peterson has a legitimate shot at being the starter this season, whether winning the job in training camp, or picking it up mid season.
Peterson was a decent runner for the Bears last year. I’m not sold on Forte in the NFL, and think the Bears should be bringing in additional help at the position. Keep an eye on Peterson, he should be a forgotten man in the draft, especially the early drafts. If he falls to the later rounds, pick him up. He’ll be on the field this season, only question is going to be how much. I think he will get some decent playing time, and if the starting nod comes down to either him or Forte, I can see him winning that job at some point.
Kevin Smith could be a nice pickup this season should he win the starting job in Detroit.
As of right now, Smith is competing with Bell for the starting job as the Lions running back. The winner of that job should put up some decent numbers with the Lions looking to get back to the run this season.
Consider Smith a strong sleeper this season, and keep an eye on how things play out in the Detroit back field leading up to the season. He is a bit under the radar, third round pick, but he has skills, and if given the opportunity, could impress. He should go in the later middle rounds of most drafts, and is worth a look. With running backs always at a premium, Smith brings the potential of a starting running back with a very favorable draft position.
Tatum Bell has potential to be a starting running back come the 2008 fantasy season, but first he has to win the starting job in Detroit.
Keep a close eye on the running back situation in Detroit. They have Kevin Smith coming in this year, Tatum Bell who was brought in last year, and I wouldn’t rule out the signing of another running back before the season gets here.
Bell was brought in last season to fill in until Kevin Jones was able to go. Jones looks to be out of the picture for the time being, but Bell is not guaranteed the starting job. Keep an eye on him, the starting back for Detroit should be a decent option this year as they will look to run the ball more this season, but we could also be looking at a running back by committee this year. Right now, draft Bell as a flyer and hope he turns out to be the man for the Lions.
Darren McFadden is an interesting selection coming into the 2008 fantasy football season. If you play in a keeper league, he is worth an early selection. Otherwise, I think he will be drafted earlier than he deserves for how much he will play this season.
Keep an eye on him in camp this year, but the raiders just signed Justin Fargas, and I expect him to be the starter coming into the season. He has a good relationship with former USC coordinator turned Raider head coach Kifflin, and performed well last year. I could see a running back by committee situation develop, and McFadden will get some touches this season, but he won’t be the starter unless something happens with Fargas.
McFadden does have some tremendous upside. He wasn’t drafted fourth overall for no reason, but I don’t know that this season is his breakout year. Keep your eyes on him through training camp, his fantasy ranking should have plenty of movement on it as we approach the start of the season.
Shaun Alexander is a big question mark at this point entering the 2008 fantasy football season. He has no team as of yet, but as a former NFL MVP, should land somewhere. Where he ends up will dictate his value.
Right now, Alexander is worth a pick up due to the fact that there are a couple teams out there in need of a starting running back. Chicago is one that comes to mind immediately. If he ends up with a starting job in Chicago, he would be worth starting as a number two back with some upside potential.
Keep an eye on Alexander’s situation as your draft approaches, could be a risky pickup, but he could be a good find if he gets on the playing field this year. He’ll have a chip on his shoulder, with something to prove. If he lands in the right situation, he could produce, although probably not like a number one back.
Jerious Norwood is an interesting player entering the 2008 fantasy football season. The Falcons brought in Mr. Turner to be their starting running back, but the jury is still out on whether he can be a full time starter in the NFL. If he falters, Norwood could be poised for a big season.
Even if Turner holds up, expect Norwood to get his share of touches. The Falcons are desperate for some offensive spark, and Norwood is one of the fastest guys in the NFL. They will be looking to get the ball in his hands this season, and rumor has it he will be lining up at wide receiver some this year. If that is the case, he could be used like Reggie Bush was his rookie year, which would translate to good numbers if you play in a point per reception league.
If you draft Turner, Norwood is a must draft. Even if you don’t have Turner, Norwood is a decent pick up with some sleeper potential. He’ll get touches every game, and should be able to break a couple long ones this season. He is at least a decent bye week replacement option at running back, with upside potential.
Everyone likes a Denver running back, but coming into this season, it’s a hodge-podge of players, and will probably be a gamble on who gets the lions share of touches until opening day. With that being said, I like Selvin Young’s prospects.
Young has been taking reps with the first team, Shanahan has spoken highly of his off-season conditioning and work to this point in the mini-camps, and he played well last season. He could well be the man in Denver, which would give him 1,000 yard potential. He could also get stuck in a running back by committee situation.
Keep an eye on how things round out in Denver. If you draft early, Young is probably the first Denver back to go off the board. If you have a pick you can gamble a bit with, Young is not a bad choice for that gamble. If you draft closer to opening day, keep your ears tuned to what is going on in Denver, although it is likely Shanahan does not appoint a starter until maybe even game time of opening day.
