The Scoop

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Don’t be surprised if Ladell Betts and Leon Washingon are difference makers in fantasy leagues this season. Clinton Portis’ knee tendinits is clearly worrisome, and Betts was a top-5 running back when on the field last season. Plus, the Redskins’ run blocking is elite. As for Washington, he’s dynamic as a pass catcher and can be effective even if only given 15-20 touches. Thomas Jones, meanwhile, has a mysterious Achilles/calf injury that no owner should feel comfortable about. Also, Cedric Houston is no longer in the picture, and the Jets have the makings of a solid offensive line with D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold developing.

I was all set to hype up Travis Henry big time this season, but obviously a knee injury is something to worry about, no matter how minor they claim it to be. I just don’t get all this “Mike Shanahan is fickle with his RBs” talk. He’s been that way over the past few seasons simply because Tatum Bell sucks. The Broncos signed Henry to a $22.5 million contract, with $12 million guaranteed. Shanahan actually despises committees and much prefers one guy to carry the load. Henry appeared washed up just a few season ago, doesn’t typically catch the ball all that much and has durability concerns, but he ran extremely well last year for the Titans and is more motivated than ever to play for a winning team. There also couldn’t be a better fit for the Broncos’ one-cut and go system, which is still the elite rushing offense in the entire NFL. The local beat writers basically said the season is over if Henry is out for the season when he went down Saturday, suggesting just how important he is to those who follow Denver day in and day out. When Henry finishes the season as a top-5 fantasy player, remember, you heard it here first.

If you double Lee Evans’ production over the second half of last season, you get 86 catches, 1,610 yards and 12 touchdowns. This coincided with J.P. Losman developing as a quarterback, so there’s some cause and effect here. The Bills revamped their offensive line over the offseason, so Losman should have ample time to go downfield, where Evans is as dangerous as any wide receiver in the game. The Bills also have a pretty terrible defense, so expect the team to be throwing an awful lot while playing catch up in second halves of games this season. Buffalo also lacks a viable second receiver, making Evans the only show in town – also a good thing. As such, Evans should be treated as a top-5 WR, with the upside of finishing the season atop the board.

I’m worried about Brandon Jacobs’ ability to stay healthy this season – oftentimes guys that size struggle with injuries despite that being counterintuitive. He’s very top-heavy. However, I still see him worth the gamble of a second round pick. Tom Coughlin doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a running-game genius. Tiki Barber didn’t become an elite back until Coughlin arrived, as all three of his Pro Bowl appearances came under Coughlin’s tutelage. The Jaguars also led the NFL in rushing when Coughlin was there, helping Fred Taylor have his best seasons of his career. At a minimum, Jacobs is set to get 80 percent of the carries and all of the goal-line work, something only a handful of backs in the NFL can say.

Adrian Peterson is injury-prone. He also has Hall of Fame type talent. Let’s not forget, he did set the record for carries by a freshman in the history of college football during his first year, so he has shown the ability to carry the load. The Vikings have a terrific offensive line, the No. 1 ranked run defense last year (time of possession should always be in their favor) and a coach who will rely on the run with a raw QB at the helm. Chester Taylor is mediocre at best, and Peterson should get the goal-line work from the get-go. You don’t want to get too caught up in preseason results, but AD’s eight-carry, 70 rushing yards (with a TD) performance last week revealed the type of upside this truly special back possesses. There simply won’t be a better fourth or fifth round pick in fantasy leagues this year.

How about Wes Littleton preserving a 27-run lead to pick up the save in a 30-3 game Thursday?


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10 responses to “The Scoop”

  1. Kritter77 Avatar
    Kritter77

    Pretty good day for Redskins running backs, adding Pete Kendall and Fred Beasley. Kendall has been a very good O-Lineman for a while and Beasley was a Pro Bowl Fullback, what do u think of this move, and it’s fantasy impact? Although personally Im not a big Clinton Portis fantasy fan, he and Betts may have just been given an early XMas present.

  2. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    Evans worries me, since he’s kind of long-pass dependent, but he’s about as good as there is in that department. I know he’s got the talent, but I don’t think he’ll sneak up on people this season. Without a 2nd receiver, and unless they get the run game going, it just seems like it’d be very easy to keep a safety on him.

    Jacobs and Peterson are pretty safe picks just because of the goal line work. They’re going to be less valuable in PPR leagues though, right? Any guys you’d really move up in PPR leagues? Would you be crazy enough to take MoJo 1st round in that format?

    I’ve got my two drafts this weekend; got the #5 pick in my non-PPR league, so I figure I’ll get either LJ, Addai or Gore…I can live with that. I might just go 3 RB’s to start (since we get a flex), and go more WR heavy in the reception league. I feel like I need a mock draft or something to get ready!

  3. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    I don’t think I’ll have the guts to take Henry in the 1st, but I’d gladly take him in the 2nd, with either MJD or Jacobs in the 3rd…a guy can dream, right?

  4. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Kritter – Kendall was a real solid addition, helping an already stout run blocking unit. Beasley was good back in the day on the 9ers, but I’m not sure how much he has left in the tank. The Washington ground game should be productive, but Betts and Portis may cut into each other’s fantasy value a little more than most owners will like, especially those spending an early pick on CP.

  5. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Keith – Evans is tougher than most give him credit for. He caught 60 percent of the targets thrown his way last year, whereas other “speedsters” like Plaxico Burress (52%), Torry Holt (52%) and Terrell Owens (55%) weren’t nearly as efficient. I personally love guys without decent secondary receivers, as I value the extra targets over speculated additional coverage. I also do anticipate an improved ground game, and they did address the O-line through free agency. I think he’s worth a third round pick.

    It’s true Jacobs and Peterson haven’t caught balls in the past, but I think both have the skills to move into the 30-45 catch range this season. It is a concern tho, that’s for sure. Obviously, Reggie Bush moves way up in a PPR format – all the way to the No. 5/6 area, along with Westbrook of course. Funny you ask about MJD, as I was in this “experts” league yesterday and took him with the No. 9 overall pick in a PPR format. See, I actually back up my talk sometimes. Then, a guy I had no intention of drafting in any league this year fell to me with the No. 16th pick, Rudi Johnson. He obviously loses value in a PPR, but still, that’s pretty late, even for me…Marshawn Lynch can be moved up a bit in PPR leagues as well.

    More power to you if you can nab Henry in the 2nd and MJD/Jacobs in the third. I have seen MJD and Jacobs slip, so it is possible.

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Oh, and it’s a 3WR/2RB league.

  7. tvac Avatar
    tvac

    I love your draft until you reached (at least imo) on Young and then picked Jackson over Chambers and Cooley over Shockey. I like Roethlisberger where you got him. I think you will be starting him by the middle of the year over Young. I don’t like the Curry pick but I understand it. I would have grabbed Jennings over him but that is more of a personal choice I think.

  8. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I’m not big on the Raiders offense at all, but Curry did have 33 catches over the final 4 games last year, which would be huge in a PPR league. That said, Jennings would look awful good if Donald Driver’s injury turns out to be serious…

  9. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    Curry balls, sire.

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