FANTASY ITCH: 2008 Rookie Running Back Rankings

Written by: John Willette

The second in a series of NFL Rookie Rankings, John Willette sums up the top fantasy rookie Running Backs.

 

It’s been a week since the 2008 NFL Draft and the dust has finally settled. NFL teams have just begun rookie minicamps and reports are starting to surface on how the rookies are performing and how the coaching staffs plan on using them this season.

 

Because you can never have enough fantasy football rankings lists, here’s another based on my thoughts on the 2008 rookie class.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Potential Starters: Forte, Smith, Stewart, McFadden, Torain

Rookie of the Year Candidates: Forte, Smith, Stewart, McFadden

 

1. Matt Forte, Chicago–Despite being drafted in the middle of the second round, Forte has the easiest path to a starting job. If Forte can master the Bears offense, Cedric Benson will become a distant memory.

 

2. Kevin Smith, Detroit–Other than Smith, the Lions really don’t have anything resembling a running back. Both Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun have been injury plagued disappointments.

 

3. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina–The drafting of Stewart likely means that DeAngelo Williams will be relegated to third down duty. Stewart is a big and powerful back capable of carrying a full load in the NFL. 

 

4. Darren McFadden, Oakland–The only reason McFadden falls this far is because of the inevitable committee that he’ll be stuck in with Justin Fargas. I see Fargas holding on to the starting job in 2008, with less and less carries as the season progresses but in 2009, McFadden will run the show.

 

5. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh–As a first round pick, one must believe that the Steelers will be grooming Mendenhall for the eventual starting job. In 2008 however, it will be Willie Parker’s job to lose.

 

6. Ryan Torain, Denver–It seems like every year the Broncos running back position is up for grabs and this season is no different. Travis Henry is an injury-prone elder and Selvin Young, who’s coming off knee surgery, doesn’t have the confidence of the coaching staff to carry the full load.  Torain is a large back who has the praise of head coach Mike Shannan and that could be enough for him to win the job outright.

 

7. Chris Johnson, Tennessee–Johnson won’t be a starter, but he will do everything else. The Titans coaching staff want to use Johnson all over the field ala Reggie Bush. Look for Johnson to return kicks, lineup as a receiver and be used at the running back position this season. He’ll be assured playing time but his production will be inconsistent.

 

8. Felix Jones, Dallas–In an effort to replace Julius Jones, the Cowboys drafted another Jones. Felix will begin where Julius left off…relieving Marion Barber and playing on third-downs. Unless Barber gets injured Felix’s performance this season will be plagued with inconsistency.

 

9. Ray Rice, Baltimore–The Ravens drafted Rice to be their backup runningback. Rice will see more playing time than most backups due to the work load that the inexperienced passing game will place on the Ravens running game.

 

10. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City–With the debacle that was the Chiefs running game last season, KC drafted Charles who should, at the very least, backup Larry Johnson. Charles’ selection makes me wonder whether Johnson’s injury woes are past him or not. Johnson’s injury plagued 2007 season only increases Charles’ value going into 2008.

 

11. Steve Slaton, Houston–Slaton actually landed in a very good position in Houston. Ahman Green is close to retirement and the other backs in the stable are mediocre. The only concern is whether or not Slaton has the durability to play in the NFL. Look for him to start out his career as a third-down back.

 

12. Jacob Hester, San Diego–Hester was drafted to take the place of the departed Michael Turner. Question is, can Hester be as productive as Turner when LaDainian Tomlinson needs time off? The opportunity will be there for Hester but it will be up to him to cash in on it.

 

13. Mike Hart, Indianapolis–Hart will be competing to be Joseph Addai’s backup. As we saw last season, Addai lacks durability and if he can beat out Kenton Keith, Hart’s value will skyrocket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2008 NFL ROOKIES POSITION RANKINGS

QUARTERBACKS

RUNNING BACKS

WIDE RECEIVERS

TIGHT ENDS & KICKERS

 

 

 

 

By John Willette of IPL Sports

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