Fantasy Football Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Running Back Preseason Preview
Brandon Jacobs
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Jacobs is a wildcard coming
into the 2008 season. If he remains injury-free, he may
be one of the best fantasy backs, but he has yet to show
he can do that. |
16. Brandon Jacobs - Giants - 2008 Preview:
See Laurence Maroney. Jacobs debut of as a starter was mixed. When
he was healthy Jacobs was everything hoped for as a starting fantasy
running back. Unfortunately injuries popped up throughout the year
and he missed 5 games and parts of others. Mix that with an inconsistent
first half of the season and you have average stats for Jacobs.
The good news is he was healthy at the end of the season and he
and the Giants played well all the way to the Super Bowl. In the
last 3 weeks of the season Jacobs gained 420 total yards and 3 touchdowns.
If that is a 2008 preview, Jacobs is a top ten back, but future
injury concerns keeps him from reaching that ranking in the preseason.
2007 Statistics:
1,009 Yds - 4 TD's - 23 Rec - 174 Yds - 2 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,208 Yds - 8 TD's - 24 Rec - 176 Yds - 1 TD.
17. Laurence Maroney - Patriots - 2008 Preview:
Injuries plagued the talented Maroney for much of the season until
the end when was healthy and quietly rushed for 306 yards and 4
touchdowns when the Patriots were closing out their undefeated season.
Maroney then rushed for another 280 yards and 3 touchdowns in the
playoffs and Super Bowl. Based on these numbers, Maroney could be
in for a huge year with the Patriots in 2008, if he can remain healthy.
2007 Statistics:
835 Yds - 6 TD's - 4 Rec - 116 Yds - 0 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,126 Yds - 7 TD's - 23 Rec - 219 Yds - 1 TD.
18. Ronnie Brown - Dolphins - 2008 Preview:
Ronnie Brown was playing like a top four running back with Tomlinson,
Peterson and Westbrook before he went down with a knee injury. He
was on pace for over 2,200 total yards before the injury which included
a pace of over 80 catches for 800 yards. He was looking like Steven
Jackson did in 2006. Brown is expected to be 100% for the beginning
of the season in 2008, but an ACL injury like his seems to linger
a bit for at least half a season and sometimes a running back will
not be 100% for another full year. Add to that the return of Ricky
Williams and Brown is a definite gamble. On the other hand, the
Dolphins #1 overall pick of the draft was offensive tackle Jake
Long and GM Parcells will build his team around a strong run game
so Brown may be worth a gamble.
2007 Statistics:
602 Yds - 4 TD's - 39 Rec - 389 Yds - 1 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,201 Yds - 8 TD's - 52 Rec - 425 Yds - 1 TD.
19. Willis McGahee - Ravens - 2008 Preview:
McGahee is a solid, but still overrated fantasy running back who
has yet to score even 10 touchdowns in a season. Add to that the
loss of all-world tackle Jonathan Ogden and having either Kyle Boller
or a rookie (Joe Flacco) starting at quarterback and it is hard
to see the Ravens scoring much. McGahee will get plenty of action,
but don't expect anything more than he provided in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
1,207 Yds - 7 TD's - 43 Rec - 231 Yds - 1 TD.
2008 Projection:
1,121 Yds - 8 TD's - 34 Rec - 212 Yds - 1 TD.
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20. (tie) Jamal Lewis - Browns - 2008 Preview:
Lewis' fantasy career was resurrected in 2008 behind the upstart
Cleveland offense. The question is, has he peaked? After 2,100 career
carries it would be hard to say he will get better, so the logical
answer is yes, he has peaked and will likely fall a notch in 2008.
The Browns have built a good offensive line behind 2007 #1 pick
Joe Thomas and a great pass game behind Derek Anderson and that
will continue to benefit Lewis. Expect Lewis to do about the same
as '07, but also to show signs of the beginning of his career decline.
2007 Statistics:
1,304 Yds - 9 TD's - 30 Rec - 248 Yds - 2 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,270 Yds - 8 TD's - 27 Rec - 223 Yds - 1 TD.
20. (tie) Reggie Bush - Saints - 2008 Preview:
The Saints' 2007 collapse hurt all the Saints' fantasy stats, including
Reggie Bush's. Regardless of the return of Deuce McAllister, Bush
and the Saints should see a better, more consistent 2008 season.
Bush is a gamble at a higher spot and he may be a worthwhile gamble,
especially in leagues that give points for receptions.
2006 Statistics:
581 Yds - 4 TD - 73 Rec - 417 Yds - 2 TD's.
2008 Projection:
689 Yds - 6 TD's - 76 Rec - 697 Yds - 4 TD's.
20. (tie) Willie Parker - Steelers - 2008 Preview:
The speedy Parker is always a threat to score when he touches the
ball, yet in 2007 he really never did, scoring just two touchdowns.
You add to that to the fact that he doesn't catch passes out of
the backfield and his fantasy value is rather low. The Steelers
drafted Rashard Mendenhall with their #1 pick and this further weakens
Parker's value, especially in the red zone, where he is already
weak. With all that said, Parker has the ability to perform and
still could have a decent season.
2006 Statistics:
1,362 Yds - 2 TD's - 23 Rec - 164 Yds - 0 TD's.
2008 Projection:
1,118 Yds - 4 TD's - 19 Rec - 143 Yds - 0 TD's.
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