Maurice Jones-Two?

By Dalton Del Don

With news of Fred Taylor’s release, how high will you be willing to draft Maurice Jones-Drew next year? With the assumption of Taylor’s inevitable release, MJD was already No. 2 on my board, and this news only solidifies my position. Very few running backs play all three downs while also excelling at pass catching and at the goal line, something Jones-Drew does. His YPC dropped to 4.2 last season, but this is a back who has totaled 38 touchdowns over his first three years in the league. And he’s never even reached 200 carries!

There could be some concerns about his durability since he’s never carried a full workload, but he’s got fresh legs and has only missed one game throughout his career. Jones-Drew is short, but he’s not small, and the fact he catches so many passes actually gives him even more upside than Adrian Peterson. I’d still take AP first overall because he’s a unique talent with a better offensive line, but David Garrard is clearly a superior quarterback than any on Minnesota’s roster. While averaging just 16.2 touches per game last season, Jones-Drew still managed 1,389 yards from scrimmage.

So, when are you targeting him next year? Do you have the audacity to select DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner or Matt Forte ahead of him? Someone else?


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5 responses to “Maurice Jones-Two?”

  1. Dreamweapon Avatar
    Dreamweapon

    I think I may even be tempted to go Drew first. If the Vikings manage to get a competent QB, then Peterson is the man, but if it’s the same situation as last season it’s basically a coin flip for FFL purposes as far as I’m concerned. There’s basically no way I’ll ever take Williams in the first round unless it was a 20 team league, Turner is too damn streaky and too limited as a player, and Forte is a lot better than I thought he’d be, but I’d rather have Chris Johnson as far as last year’s rookies went. Forte is probably closest b/c of the all-around game and job security, but he just doesn’t have the record Drew does.

  2. Dreamweapon Avatar
    Dreamweapon

    Also, I don’t want to say I told you so (esp. being so wrong on Forte), but I notice we’re not seeing any of that Barber hyperbole here. 3.7 turned you off a bit, eh?

  3. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    So you agree with me about MJD, basically. I could see Chris Johnson over Forte too. Also, I imagine I’ll rank D. Williams lower than most mags.

    No doubt, I was wrong about Barber last year. Definitely a disappointment. I still really like him as a player – check out all those receptions, and I will blame his drop in YPC on injuries. However, he wasn’t able to stay healthy like I predicted, and some more speed would really be nice. The situation in Dallas still gives him a ton of upside, but Felix Jones and T. Choice are going to get touches. Off the top of my head, I imagine I will rank MBIII somewhere in the 11-15 range next year. Right around Addai and S. Jackson.

  4. .(). Avatar
    .().

    That’s funny. You wrote Two instead of Drew because they rhyme.

    How Matthew Berry of you.

  5. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Ouch. That hurts.

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