2007 Outlook

Lamont Jordan was a fantasy gem in 2005 when he had 70 catches for 563 yards and 1025 rushing yards with a total of 11 touchdowns. With HC Norv Turner gone and Art Shell changing the offense to a bed-n-breakfast formation, Jordan seemed to be a lot less effective (an understatement which extended to the entire team) but in terms of rushing, he had the exact same 3.8 yards per carry average both years in Oakland. What fell away was his role as a receiver which garnered him much value in reception point leagues. In nine games played, Jordan only had ten catches for 74 yards. And like in 2005, he was unable to play the full 16 game season thanks to a torn meniscus and a back injury.

The Raiders are going to a cut-blocking scheme in 2007 which should help the rushing game but always takes time to install fully. The prized first round left tackle Robert Gallery is being moved to guard and the offensive line is bound to be improved if only because they were 29th in yards rushed and 32nd in sacks allowed last year – no where to go but up. But Jordan has been injured both years that he played as the primary runner and now must contend in some measure with Dominic Rhodes taking playing time. And eventually, Michael Bush will be getting an opportunity as well. Jordan’s stock is low this year and his future outlook appears even worse. Like other career back-up running backs, he had his shot and had some success but appears to have already peaked. Consider Jordan only as a back-up running back to be safe. The new offense should be improved but there are other options now in the backfield. The new scheme being installed will be much like the one in Atlanta thanks to OC Gregg Knapp but the Falcons never threw to their backs either – and there goes the one plus that Jordan brought to the table in 2005. As a sign of how entrenched Jordan is in Oakland, he had to reduce his 2007 salary from $4.75 million down to $3 million or the Raiders would have cut him.

08-20-07 Update: Jordan gets a small bump up from looking surprisingly effective against the 49ers when he ran eight times for 67 yards and a score. There's still the specter of Rhodes returning in week five, but Jordan looks a little safer now.

07-03-20 Update: Perhaps the best news yet for Jordan is that Dominic Rhodes will miss the first four games thanks to a suspension handed down by the NFL. That means Jordan should take a major share of all running back work in September which includes home games against the Lions and Browns.

Recent Priority News