Top Drafted RBs

Raiders - draft McFadden, aka Run DMC, and cut Dominic Rhodes. They also have Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Michael Bush. Rhodes helped the Colts win the 2006 Superbowl with 113 yds versus the Bears. I hate it for Michael Bush. Keep an eye on Rhodes to see where he lands as he might steal carries from someone.

The Mustard: Yes, I’d draft McFadden. The question is where. Honestly, I hate counting on rookies, but it looks like Oakland last year, despite using multiple runners, pretty much focused on giving one guy 20+ carries in any given game. I’d bet that back is McFadden all year. He’s an RB1, probably low end because we don’t know if Fargas or Bush will get the goal line carries.

Panthers – Jonathan Stewart, pick 13.

The Mustard: No way am I taking Deangelo Williams now. I was thinking 1000-1200 yards and 5-10 TDs despite the cutting of DeShaun Foster and the new O-Line. Now, Jonathan Stewart looks to be at least RBBC if not the bell cow. Gamble on Stewart late maybe.

Cowboys – Felix Jones, pick 22. Dang it, I am forced to like Marion Barber a little less.

The Mustard: Keep your projection for Barber at about last year’s stats though I think Felix Jones may cut a lot into his carries, maybe even more than Julius Jones did.

Steelers – Rashard Mendenhall, pick 23. What the heck?!?! Willie Parker was one of the few non-RBBC RBs left in the NFL but I don’t see that happening with the Steelers having to justify the salary of their #1 pick. Mendenhall is supposed to be pretty good.

The Mustard: I’m afraid I don’t know how to predict this just yet and would avoid both if I had to draft today.

Titans – Chris Johnson, pick 24. Who the heck is Chris Johnson? The analysis I have in front of me says he works best in space and is very fast, a la Reggie Bush except from East Carolina.

The Mustard: As a fantasy drafter, I think this guys is worth a gamble. It’s not like LenDale White is setting the world on fire with just five 100 yard games despite being ‘the man’ most of last year. Between this pick and Alge Crumpler, I expect Tennessee will have more of a spread option look this year. I’d like to gamble on Vince Young, too.

Chicago – Matt Forte, pick 44. Who? 6’2”, 222 lbs, 4.45 40, high marks in the shuffles at the combine. Compared to Edgerrin James and Mewelde Moore.

The Mustard: As with the Titans’ draft pick, Forte is worth gambling on because the incumbent, in this case, Cedrick Benson, isn’t much to write home about. Remind me to examine what the Bears have done for their offense, but Forte might be a late-rounder or a $2 auction player that makes you look genius. The best part is if he doesn’t pan out, it’s not like you drafted him to start.

Baltimore – Ray Rice, pick 55. At least I recognize the name. Rice is a little small at 5’8” and 199, but the Ravens are obviously expecting him to complement McGahee.

The Mustard: I’d think McGahee keeps most of his carries. No major concerns from me.

Lions – Kevin Smith – first pick of the third round. They traded up to get him with the first pick of the second day. The commentators say teams assess the night of the first day and a lot of times scramble at the top of the draft the second day to get the ones that ‘slipped through the cracks’. Translation: The Lions think Smith might be a steal.

The Mustard: Another kid to watch. There’re enough questions about Smith – his measurables at the combine and the competition he faced in C-USA at Central Florida, for examples – that I think Kevin Jones will probably stay the lead rusher in Detroit – not that that has meant much for the last 3 years.