The word “platooning” is one of the most dreaded terms in the fantasy vernacular, along with “facing the Baltimore defense,” “bad weather,” and “Rusty Smith will be starting on Sunday.” Platooning has devalued and confined the fantasy worth of numerous runners, as owners can’t instill their trust in a back whose appearances are abbreviated by their backfield companion. This development has led managers to regard those chained in the communist-like committees as fantasy pariahs, searching for players that are more parsimonious in carry allotment toward their backups.
However, not all controlled in this environment should be ostracized from the fantasy community. Here is a rundown of running backs working in split-time situations and how to approach them in your upcoming draft:
Worth Selection
Jamaal Charles
Charles finished second in rushing with 1,467 yards last season, remarkable when factoring in Thomas freakin’ Jones was dealt more attempts in Arrowhead in 2010. My feeble words could paint this picture of injustice, but a table better illustrates this transgression:
The Insult in Arrowhead
| RB | ATT | YARDS | AVG | TD | REC | YARDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jones | 245 | 896 | 3.7 | 6 | 14 | 122 | 0 |
| Jamaal Charles | 230 | 1,467 | 6.4 | 5 | 45 | 468 | 3 |
To his credit, Jones was coming off a 1,400-yard campaign with the Jets in 2009, and some insist the presence of Jones keeps Charles fresh on the sidelines. Yet Jones over Charles is one of the bigger lineup lapses in recent history, right up there with Saul Smith starting at Kentucky and Rex Grossman playing in front of, well, anybody. Charles’ 6.4 yards per carry were the most in the NFL and just short of Jim Brown’s single-season record, while Jones’ 3.7 mark was the second-lowest out of 22 backs who received 200 or more attempts last year.
Although he remains second on the team’s depth chart, Charles should see a bump in playing time in 2011. Additionally, the arrival of fullback Le’Ron McClain will help clear the running lane for Charles, making the All-Pro a consensus top-five fantasy pick.
Shonn Greene
Aside from a few strong showings in the postseason, Greene has been somewhat underwhelming for New York, compiling 1,306 yards and four touchdowns in his first two years out of Iowa. In his defense, Greene has only been bestowed 293 carries (4.5 yards per attempt) thanks to the company of Jones, Leon Washington and LaDainian Tomlinson. However, many fans of Gang Green remain concerned over the running back’s proclivity to fumble, an issue that caused Greene to concede the starter’s spot to Tomlinson last season.
But with LDT wearing down at the end of the 2010 campaign, Greene appears to be in the driver’s seat in the Jets’ backfield. With the re-signing of Santonio Holmes and additions of Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason, New York quarterback Mark Sanchez has enough weapons at his disposal to open up the field, permitting Greene the necessary room to run free. Tomlinson will get his touches, but expect Greene to receive the majority of opportunities this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw
Bradshaw’s fumbling fault cost him a pretty penny on the free-agent market, as the Giants were able to retain his services at a fairly reasonable rate. But not all was bad for Bradshaw in 2010. While he was hampered with ball-security issues, the Marshall product ran for 1,235 yards and was a factor in the passing game, hauling in 47 receptions for 314 yards. Owners may be wary of Jacobs embezzling touches around the goal line, but Bradshaw will collect the bulk of opportunities for the G-Men this year.
Jonathan Stewart & DeAngelo Williams
Initially skeptical of both players’ prospects in 2011, I have talked myself into positive outlooks for Steward and Williams for the upcoming season. The duo was hindered by injuries in 2010, and when they were on the field, had to deal with a combo of clumsiness in Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore. Granted, Cam Newton may not be much better behind center, and the threat of Clausen taking relevant snaps as the signal caller remains. But a healthy offensive line and enhanced protection thanks to tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey should alleviate some of the focus Stewart and Williams will face from opposing foes this fall. And for those who think Newton/Clausen will act as a major detriment to the backfield’s performance, remember: Jake Delhomme was Carolina’s field general a mere two years ago when both Williams and Stewart passed the 1,000-yard plateau.
Stay Away
Knowshon Moreno
With the departure of Josh McDaniels (who employed a pass-happy offense) and advent of John Fox (who prefers the ground game) in Denver, Moreno theoretically stands to receive a boost in his fantasy worth. Alas, Fox was a proponent of platooning in Carolina and will likely install that mindset in Mile High. Not helping matters is the acquisition of Willis McGahee, who infuriated fantasy owners by snatching scoring opportunities away from Ray Rice in Baltimore. Although Moreno has reported to camp in the best shape of his pro career, the Bronco back has proved to be injury prone in his first two pro seasons. Consider Moreno a gamble as a fantasy starter.
Beanie Wells
After single-handedly destroying fantasy teams that wasted an early selection on the Cardinal running back (397 yards, two touchdowns), Wells has somehow connived his way into the top-20 rankings at the position. With Tim Hightower now in Washington, Wells is slated as the starter in the desert, yet the Arizona brass showed their lack of faith in Wells by drafting Virginia Tech back Ryan Williams in the second round. When healthy, Wells did inflict damage on opposing defenses, running for 555 yards and six touchdowns in the last nine games of the 2009 season, but the early reviews from camp have Williams outperforming the former Buckeye back. Only select Wells in the later rounds of your fantasy draft.
Fred Jackson
Jackson has quietly submitted two straight solid seasons in Buffalo, totaling 1,989 yards and seven touchdowns. But while Jackson is set to be the primary back, the Bills will be utilizing C.J. Spiller, a top-10 draft pick in 2010, as much as possible. Throw in Buffalo’s early affinity for rookie Johnny White and Jackson’s opportunities may be limited in 2011.
New England backs
The Patriots had one of the more explosive backfields in the league last season with BenJarvus Green-Ellis (1,008 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Danny Woodhead (547 yards rushing, five touchdowns; 34 receptions, 379 yards receiving). For the first time in Foxborough since the Corey Dillon Era, the Pats had a formidable groung game. Naturally, New England went ahead and drafted two running backs, Shane Vereen out of Cal and Stevan Ridley from LSU. And let us not forget Patriot elders Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk (who will start the season on the reserve/PUP list). Green-Ellis is worth a mid-to-late round selection, but view him as a backup. Woodhead maintains some worth at the flex position, albeit in deeper formats. As for Vereen and Ridley, only select the two as handcuff picks.
Ryan Torain
Not only is Torain in one of the more crowded depth charts in football (Hightower, Roy Helu, Evan Royster, Keiland Williams), but Washington’s lead rusher from last season underwent surgery to place screws in his hand. Assuming he returns on schedule before the start of the season, Torain is still stuck in Shanahan’s platoon purgatory. Oh, and did we mention Torain will have the two-headed monster of Rex Grossman and John Beck at quarterback? Torain is worth a flyer as a fourth fantasy running back, but any hope for higher production is a risk.
Use Caution
Brandon Jacobs
Despite being relegated to a backup role, Jacobs excelled last season in his abbreviated appearances, rushing for 823 yards and nine touchdowns on just 147 carries (5.6 yards per rush). Expect the same type of distribution between Jacobs and Bradshaw this season. He won’t factor into New York’s passing game (seven catches last season), but will be the Giants’ go-to man near the goal line. Jacobs is most likely a fantasy backup, but could be viewed as a starter in deeper leagues.
Mark Ingram
By all accounts, Ingram has exceled in training camp with the Saints, earning praise from coaches, veterans, and most importantly, Drew Brees. However, the New Orleans offense is one predicated through the air, meaning the recently acquired Darren Sproles will be playing a vital role in the Saints’ scheme as well. Sproles and Pierre Thomas will likely subtract some carries from Ingram. And as noted in the fantasy draft guide, rookies have historically struggled. He has potential to be a top-15 back this season, but don’t select Ingram with an early pick.
Ryan Mathews
Or as my buddy Dave refers to him, “The Mistake.” Like Wells, Mathews was projected for fantasy glory last season, only to fall well short of expectations. Mathews does have an opportunity to facilitate some fantasy-friendly numbers in San Diego’s blitzkrieg offense, but Norv Turner recently declared the Chargers will operate a two-back system, meaning Mike Tolbert will see significant action. Worse, Mathews has been on the sidelines for most of camp with various bumps and bruises. As a sleeper? Love me some Mathews. But don’t envision the Charger back as a reliable starter.
Ryan Grant
Grant has been handling all the first-team reps during training camp, and hasn’t shown any signs that his ankle is restricting his ability. With James Starks failing to impress in the early days of August, Grant appears to have the reins on the running back spot. Grant did run for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009, but while Mike McCarthy has insinuated the position is Grant’s to lose, don’t be surprised if Starks plays a bigger role than McCarthy is letting on. The high-octane offense of Green Bay makes Grant an intriguing option in the fourth or fifth rounds, but anything lower is an unnecessary risk.
