(Photo Courtesy of NY Post)
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys backfield is made up of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar. Whoever wins this starting job gets the opportunity to run behind one of the best offensive lines in football.
Joseph Randle, in in my opinion is the favorite to win this job. He can do it all, from running the ball, to getting out there and catching passes. He has a career YPC of 4.8, he just hasn’t gotten his chance to shine yet.
(Hamptonroads.com)
You will have to look long and hard to find a more overrated player than Darren McFadden. For years, we had to listen to everyone talk about his inherent athletic ability. Another aspect of his game that has been overrated, in fact no one who had accomplished so little in the NFL has garnered more misplaced hype than Run/Dmc.
Durability is an issue as well, this dude could get hurt playing in the lingerie football league. I’m avoiding Darren McFadden for the rest of my life, you should do the same.
(Zimbio.com)
Lance Dunbar is an intriguing player this year. Many aren’t even considering him in the race for the starting job. While it is true, he is on the outside looking in. Neither McFadden or Randle have the starting job locked down.
All Dunbar needs is for one of them to stumble out of the gate, and he will surely move up the depth chart and get the chance to take the starting gig. I happen to like the value of drafting Dunbar very late, better than wasting a high pick on McFadden.
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I do believe he will be used in passing downs and may be able to be the regular 3rd down back, giving him some contributory value in deep leagues.
New York Jets
The Jets currently have 5 RBs on their roster. Not all 5 guys have a shot at the starting job and a couple of them will be roster casualties. Bilal Powell and Daryl Richardson won’t be pushing for the starting job. But, Powell is likely to be the receiving back of this crew as he has proven to be solid in that role.
Chris Ivory stepped up last season for Fantasy owners and became a pretty decent option. He could have had a better year if the Jets didn’t insist on forcing Chris Johnson the ball. This year he should see the same amount of reps, as the Jets will look to rotate a few guys in the game.
Chris Ivory is the most established RB on the roster. However, we have a new coaching staff, a new system and no loyalties. His toughest competition comes from newcomer Zac Stacy.
Zac Stacy
Zac Stacy is a talented RB, he is durable and tough. Coming out of college he had a lot of of hype surrounding him. He lived up to that hype, delivering a solid rookie season. Coming into the next year his draft stock was way up there.
Unfortunately, the Rams did Zac Stacy dirty and inexplicably buried him on the depth chart. He needed to get out of town. Now he ends up someplace where I think his talents will be appreciated and he will be given a shot to reassert himself as a starting RB in the NFL.
I currently have to give Ivory the edge simply because, when you come to another man’s team you have to take his job, it isn’t given to you. Ivory, however, has always had durability problems and with Stacy hot on his heels he will have very little margin for error.
Steven Ridley could contend for a starting job here, the main question with him is when will he return from a season ending torn ACL in his knee. His return date is still up on the air, he could miss some of camp, even some of the regular season. If he misses time in camp I’m ready to say he isn’t in contention for the starting job. New playbook, new schemes, he needs that time in camp to learn all this.
Powell will not contend for the starting job. He has an unchanging role within the team. He is the 3rd down back, and he does it well. No fantasy impact here though, in deeper leagues some weeks you can flex him.
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