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Running back committees are a fact of life these days. Not every team has them but it does seem to be the trendy thing to do. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your starting back drive down the field to the 2-yard-line only to jog off the field in favor of someone else.
I’ll take a look at the 32 teams and what we know about their running back situations.
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Arizona
The Cards want to run the ball more this year, good news for Edgerrin James. Last year, James was a bust for those who took him high. I’m not sold on James this year, but as a potential third round pick, he may be worth that value. Last year, Marcell Shipp got some goal line carries but at that point, Arizona’s season was shot.
MY BOTTOM LINE
James appears to be poised to get a majority of the carries and should get most goal line carries, too. As the 28th pick in most drafts (ADP), James should be a decent value.
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Atlanta
Warrick Dunn is back at practice but he may have lost some carries to Jerious Norwood as a result. This will be an interesting situation to watch. Dunn will most likely be able to play come the start of the season, but chances are the team will be cautious. This really could be a split carry situation between the two at least to start.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Norwood is the pick here. He’s currently 51st in the ADP while Dunn sits at 98. If the Falcon season goes south, I think Norwood could emerge as the main back with Dunn getting the third-down action. The Atlanta staff might be experimenting and Norwood could get the goal line carries this year and have an increased workload overall.
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Baltimore
No sign of a committee here. Willis McGahee should be the main back as well as the goal line back.
MY BOTTOM LINE
McGahee is currently 13th in the ADP and I wouldn’t be shocked if someone grabs him before that spot in the draft.
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Buffalo
It looks like Marshawn Lynch has established himself as the number-one back in Buffalo, despite a good camp from Anthony Thomas. Everyone has been impressed with Lynch’s speed and skill, especially offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild – a ‘disciple’ of Mike Martz.
MY BOTTOM LINE
If Lynch can be used like a typical Martz-RB, he could be quite a steal in the 5th round. With Buffalo not expected to be a winning team, it’s safe to say Lynch will be groomed and he’ll get a chance to grow both as a runner and receiver.
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Carolina
This situation looks like one that would favor DeAngelo Williams (leg/ankle) over DeShaun Foster. Williams already seems more versatile and may be a better option out of the backfield as a receiver.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Williams has an ADP of 37, which makes him a bit of a gamble until this situation plays itself out. While Williams may emerge in time, it’d be a luxury if you can draft him as your number-three and let him blossom into a starter for the second half.
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Chicago
Cedric Benson is the number-one. Barring injury, Benson should get even more carries than Thomas Jones had in 2006. Look for Adrian Peterson to spell Benson from time-to-time.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Benson has an ADP of 21, which makes him a late 2nd/early third rounder. That seems to be pretty good value for a starting back that should get the goal line carries as well.
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Cincinnati
With the loss of Kenny Irons for the year and an injury prone Chris Perry, Rudi Johnson should get even more carries than the Bengals probably wanted to give him.
MY BOTTOM LINE
I’ve never big real big on Rudi Johnson but he appears to be a pretty solid pick this year and you always seem to know what you’re going to get. Johnson has an ADP of 12, which makes him a real nice 1B/2 back if you believe in taking your RBs early.
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Cleveland
I’m not excited about Jamal Lewis. Cleveland is not looking like an offensive powerhouse and it’s hard to believe Lewis will rack up big yards. The good news about Lewis is he will get his share of TDs provided the Browns can find the redzone. Also, the fact that Cleveland didn’t draft Adrian Peterson shows they have some confidence in Jamal.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Lewis has an ADP of 53, which puts him as a 5th or 6th rounder in many leagues. He may be a nice fill-in as a number-three back, but I wouldn’t want him as a starter. Unfortunately, he now plays on the team he used to run all over.
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Dallas
Last year Julius Jones did the work while Marion Barber scored the touchdowns. Although Jones averaged 67-yards a game, Barber would put up six points, often times scoring from one yard out. This year, the two are expected to have similar roles.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Barber (ADP 40) is being picked way ahead of Jones (71). Depending on your scoring rules, Barber is a nice addition in TD-only leagues and the ‘Boys should be able to move the ball to get him in position to do just that. But, I’d much rather have Lynch or DeAngelo Williams around that spot in the draft. As an 8th rounder, Jones may have some value and be able to fill in for you from time to time depending on the matchup. Otherwise, I’m not a huge fan.
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Denver
Not too many worries here. Travis Henry (knee) seems to be the man.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Henry is currently going 14th in the ADP. Seems like quite a bargain to get him there and if he ends up being your number-two back, all the better for you.
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Detroit
With Kevin Jones still on the PUP list, Tatum Bell looks like he’s etched himself into the starting lineup. Bell seems to have all the support he needs from teammates, and if he gets off to a good start, he should stay there.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Bell’s ADP is the 7th round. You can’t expect to draft a starting running back in that round but with the talent around Bell he may be a nice value or at least a very formidable number-three. That being said don’t be shocked if Bell is taken way before that.
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Green Bay
You’ve seen it in your 4for4.com email updates from Greg Alan, rookie Brandon Jackson looks to be the number-one back in Green Bay.
MY BOTTOM LINE
That’s good news. I know I moved Jackson up my draft list after reading that. His current ADP is the 9th round. Don’t expect him to last that long now.
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Houston
Ahman Green was given the big bucks to come to Houston to be the main back. If healthy, Green should continue to get his yards both receiving and rushing.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Green isn’t the most talked about back in the draft, but should he continue to get the carries and receptions. He could be pretty productive, especially considering his ADP of the 7th round. I can’t say I’d be excited about taking him higher than that, but if you can manage to get him after you already have two stud backs he could be productive in that slot.
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Indy
Joseph Addai is the man now in Indy. There’s no reason not to think he can be everything Edge James was during his time as a Colt.
MY BOTTOM LINE
I like Addai right where he is, behind Tomlinson, Jackson, Johnson and Gore and ahead of Westbrook.
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Jacksonville
This could be the ultimate running back by committee situation. The Jags run so much that Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew are both worthy backs on your roster. Drew is obviously the guy you want here, especially given his touchdown history and the injury problems Taylor has shown in the past.
MY BOTTOM LINE
At the same time, Drew isn’t a number-one back with Taylor around. He’ll still give up carries to Taylor, which makes him a number-two at best. As a result, his ADP is 18th. If you draft L.J., Addai or Gore, Drew is a pretty nice option as a number-two. Taylor, meanwhile, isn’t a bad option as a number-three back later in the draft. He should still get his yards but his touchdown total will suffer. As a result, his ADP is the 9th round.
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Kansas City
For all the believers in Johnson, 4for4.com’s draft board comments also have its share of non-believers. Losses to the offensive line as well as Trent Green have some thinking Johnson isn’t the number-three pick in the draft.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Now that Johnson will play this year, there’s no reason to believe he’s not a top-5 fantasy back. You can argue he shouldn’t be taken ahead of Addai or Gore and that’s fine. But, Johnson is supposed to get an increased role in the passing game, according to Head Coach Herm Edwards. Of course, Johnson will get the goal line carries, too. He’s easily a top-five back in my eyes.
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Miami
After a disappointing 2006, Ronnie Brown looks to prove he’s the back he was two years ago.
MY BOTTOM LINE
The good news is there isn’t anyone to really take away carries from Brown. His ADP is 19th which means he’ll be a number-two back if you draft Jackson. Not too shabby. I wouldn’t like him as a number-one, but as a number-two you’re in pretty good shape.
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Minnesota
The Vikings have one of the most interesting back situations in the league. Incumbent Chester Taylor was solid last year but the team drafted Adrian Peterson. Word out of Minnesota is they are easing up Taylor’s workload this summer to get him ready for the season.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Are they resting Taylor because a similar workload is expected this season, or are they giving Peterson a chance to shine? This is a situation that seems up in the air. For how high Peterson was picked, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t get touches this year and that can only mean less work for Taylor. I’m sure the Vikings would love to run the ball like Jacksonville but I’m not sure their defense is nearly as good to pull that off. As a result, it seems like Taylor will take a hit in his production. Peterson, as a long-term pick for later in the season, seems like the safe bet.
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New England
Laurence Maroney takes over for Corey Dillon and as a result he skyrocketed up the running back draft board. I’m excited about Maroney’s potential this season. With receivers like Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth, Maroney could be the forgotten man and that’s a good thing.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Maroney’s ADP is 10th overall and if you couple him with Travis Henry, Willis McGahee or Rudi Johnson it’s a pretty nice 1-2 fantasy punch, if that’s the direction you go in.
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New Orleans
Much like Jacksonville, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister are such a good committee backfield that you don’t lose much fantasy-wise either.
MY BOTTOM LINE
My only problem this year is that Bush is bound to get more carries and passes than last year. McAllister should still get goal line touches and be a factor rushing between the tackles. Bush’s ADP is 7th overall which is pretty high in a committee backfield. Still, he’s the back who is on the upswing. With that said, McAllister is a nice number-three back if you can grab him after the fourth round.
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New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs doesn’t excite me a whole lot and neither does Reuben Droughns. However, those are the backs the Giants are going with this season as they try to fill the production left by Tiki Barber
MY BOTTOM LINE
At worst, Jacobs should still get the goal line carries, but as of now he looks to be the starting back, too. Jacobs has an ADP of the 5th round while Droughns is projected as a 15th rounder. Considering the Giants messy situation this year, Droughns may be the better value and a potential sleeper to eventually start. If you need a quick fix, though, Jacobs could be your man, but I really don’t see him being the man all year.
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New York Jets
Thomas Jones was brought in from Chicago to help a running game that struggled last year despite a great comeback effort from Chad Pennington. Jones should do just that as he steps right into the number-one position.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Jones may not get all the carries thanks to Leon Washington’s play last year, but Jones should be the guy getting the ball inside the five. According to ADP data, Jones should be available very early in third round, which would be a steal - even against the tough AFC East teams.
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Oakland
The Raiders have a lot of backs to carry one ball. LaMont Jordan was a bust last season and while he’s still number-one on the depth chart, Dominic Rhodes was brought in to help carry the load.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Hard to believe Rhodes won’t take touches away from Jordan this season. Jordan’s ADP is 10th round while Rhodes can be had in the 12th. This says stay away, but if you like these guys you can get them pretty late.
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Philadelphia
Brian Westbrook emerged as a star last year, proving he can carry the load as a full-time back. Westbrook was always an injury waiting to happen, but in 2006, he completed his best season as a pro.
MY BOTTOM LINE
All signs point to Westbrook as that number-six overall back behind LT, Jackson, LJ, Addai and Gore. I was as little worried to see Tony Hunt get the goal line carries in the Eagles preseason game vs. Carolina as well as at training camp. This is far from a committee situation, though. Still, taking away those carries will only hurt Westbrook’s production. The good news is BWest is the kind of back who can score from anywhere on the field so he should make up for any lost goal line carries.
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Pittsburgh
With a new coach and a rumored new emphasis on the passing game, Willie Parker’s current ADP is still 8th overall.
MY BOTTOM LINE
To me, it’s a little high, even for a back that is projected to get a majority of the carries. I’d much rather go with McGahee, Maroney and Henry who are available a few spots down. But, I’ve just never been a fan.
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San Diego
Well, not much to say here…
MY BOTTOM LINE
Tomlinson is easily the number-one pick in your draft. Make sure you back yourself up and take Michael Turner, even if you have to do it early. He’s not a secret anymore though so he won’t slip as far as he has in previous years. And in keeper leagues, he may prove to be a starter somewhere next season.
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Seattle
The Hawks are going easy on Alexander so far this summer - and for good reason. Seattle is a totally different team without his rushing threat. Alexander missed six starts last year and a lot of questions remain about his health entering 2007.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Nevertheless, Alexander is still rated 9th overall in the ADP. There are a lot of Alexander fans out there that would grab him without thinking twice. But, the injury and his age worry me. I’d much rather have someone whose health isn’t a question mark. It goes without saying, though, a healthy Alexander is a steal at number-nine.
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San Francisco
Frank Gore (hand) was the steal of the draft last season. What a stud. Hard to believe he was buried behind Kevin Barlow at one time. Gore can do it all and did last year. With an improved team in San Fran, Gore could be explosive.
MY BOTTOM LINE
I’d easily take Gore as high as three in the draft this year. Michael Robinson may get some goal line opportunities but nothing that will drop Gore’s value.
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St. Louis
Not much to say about Steven Jackson. No committee situation here.
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Tampa Bay
The good news about Carnell Williams is he’ll be better than he was last season. While Michael Pittman may be a third down back, Williams is still the number-one.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Williams has an ADP of 35, which lands him in the fourth round. It’d be nice to be able to count on Williams as a solid number-two. Imagine drafting Addai at five, Steve Smith at 15, Carson Palmer at 25 and then Williams at 35. That’s just how the ADP plays out.
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Tennessee
LenDale White has looked good and could emerge as the number-one in Tennessee. Even so, Chris Brown will most likely get his share of carries, too. This is another situation where drafting the younger back with more potential will benefit in the long run.
MY BOTTOM LINE
This certainly isn’t an ideal situation. While White would be my pick, it still remains to be seen how this pans out. Often times a few weeks of action will give you a better idea. Hopefully you don’t need either White or Brown to start that early on your team. White can be had in the 9th round and that’s not a bad spot to be filling out your backs anyway.
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Washington
Clinton Portis is struggling with injuries this summer and that’s never a good sign. The oft-injured Portis can’t really be counted on as the stud he used to be.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Ladell Betts looks to be the pick here. At some point, I get the feeling Betts is going to be getting the bulk of the carries again. You can get Betts in the 9th round while Portis is 15th overall. That’s a little too high for me even if he’s getting picked as a number-two.
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