FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT KIT

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(+Upside) The Skins traded up to take Helu with their 4.08 pick and the Nebraska product is expected to compete directly with Ryan Torain for the primary rusher role. Helu is a great fit for the one-cut system in Washington and he brings in more talent and pedigree than Torain. Helu is a decent sleeper type this year though the Skins may never settle on one runner and merely rotate backs in every game. He's a nice backup stash to see if anything good happens.

08-20-11 Update: Helu has been very impressive in camp and preseason games. He's earned a spot in whatever rotation that Shanahan comes up with.

The Bengals don't believe Scott is up to handling a full feature-back workload, so they'll continue to use him in small doses. He does have the upside to cover a Cedric Benson injury for a week or two, but don't bank on him taking the job and running with it; if he does, he's bound to pop a hammy or twist an ankle soon after.

Thomas lost ten games to an ankle injury last year and he's actually never had a 16 game season in his four seasons in the league. Thomas is nearly fully recovered from his surgery but worse yet was the Saints picking the best back in the draft with their first round pick. Thomas stepped up when Reggie Bush made it clear he was not a primary back but now Thomas will need to step back himself. There is always a committee system in New Orleans, but Thomas could easily end up as the #3. Until it is clearer after camp, let someone draft him.

08-25-11 Update: Thomas will likely be a factor in the backfield for at least the first part of the season but the future and all upside still resides with the rookie Mark Ingram.

Barber's never-say-die rushing style has taken its toll, as his yards per carry dropped significantly in his sixth pro season. He's not likely to see an uptick in the career low of carries he received last year in the Cowboys' backfield rotation, but he could elbow his way into the goal line picture in Chicago. Essentially, he's Matt Forte insurance with a little bit of touchdown upside.

Tate is a full participant in camp after missing his rookie year with a fractured right fibula and torn ankle ligaments. He will compete with Derrick Ward to be the primary backup for Arian Foster and he bears watching in camp since he originally was picked to help out Foster. Instead he was injured and Foster set a franchise record because he was largely by himself last year. There is no clear backup yet for Foster but at least Tate should eventually win the job. He has missed out on much work thanks to the lockout.

09-01-11 Update: Tate has looked sharp in preseason games and is a must-handcuff for the Foster owner. With Foster nursing a hammy, Tate could be even more important.

(+Upside) Green may only remain the #3 back on the roster but he's added a complementary role to Grant/Starks as the smaller third down back. His stock may never rise to be a fantasy starter but he is worth keeping a casual eye on since the coaching staff wants to involve him.

The durable Chris Johnson has not allowed Ringer to get much playing time but he still has a 5.4 YPC career mark on his 59 carries these last two seasons. Ringer is a needed handcuff for Johnson owners and until Johnson reports to the team, Ringer could have major value if it extends into the season.

09-01-11 Update: Johnson reported finally but Ringer is still very much a needed handcuff.

Hardesty was poised to compete for the Browns' feature back gig as a rookie before tearing his ACL in his preseason debut. He's expected to be healthy, but now he's battling Brandon Jackson for Peyton Hillis' table scraps. If he looks like he's back to full speed in training camp he may be worth a late flier, but there's plenty of risk in them thar knees.

Jones remains in the rotation with Jamaal Charles but is slated to get a reduced load this year after slowing down in the final weeks of 2010. The 33-year old back still has some game but it is fading fast and he only managed a 3.7 YPC last year versus 6.4 for Charles. He's not even that attractive to backup Charles on a fantasy roster.

(+Upside) The 4.18 pick of the Niners was in part made to give them leverage in case (when) Gore held out for more money. Hunter comes from Oklahoma State and opinions are split on him because of his size - 5-7, 200 pounds. He is a physical clone of Brian Westbrook and certainly showed an ability to run in side in college. Hunter will take a prominent role if Gore holds out into the season and also when Gore has his annual injury for at least a game or two. Hunter has at least minor upside in this offense if only for a few games a year.

Starks is still looking for his first regular-season NFL touchdown, but his 81- 315-1 during Green Bay's postseason run has some predicting big things this year. However, he's a one-dimensional back who needs to batter defenses into submission, and the Packers are still a pass-first team. Plus, Ryan Grant returns to handle third-down duties as well as a share of the feature back workload. Starks will be a fantasy contributor, but don't slot him for every-week starter status just yet.

Rodgers adds depth to the Falcons but he's most likely slated for just special teams play this year. He's a bit under-sized for every down work anyway at 5-6 and 196 pounds.

08-19-11 Update: Rodgers may be small, but he's been impressive as the perfect change up pitch from Michael Turner. He is headed towards third down work most likely.

No analysis available.

Woodhead was a surprise last year when he left the Jets and ended up part of a backfield tandem with BenJarvus Green- Ellis. Woodhead settled into the "Kevin Faulk" role with 97 runs for 547 yards an adding 34 catches for 379 yards. His use was inconsistent though and almost impossible to predict last year. Now that the Pats have spent two high picks on two more running backs, it should only become even more inconsistent for him.

(+Upside) The Pats spent their 2.24 pick on Vereen who brings in the closest thing to the "whole package" as any back on the roster. While Green-Ellis and Stephan Ridley remain bulky pounders and Danny Woodhead serves third down and receiving needs, Vereen could end up making a splash early this year at the expense of the other backs. There will always be a rotation and playing time has to be earned, but Vereen is worth watching in camp.

Brown signed with the Eagles to be the primary backup to LeSean McCoy. Short of an injury to McCoy, there is no fantasy value here and by this stage of his career, there may not be much even of McCoy is out. Brown is a reasonable handcuff for McCoy owners but not worth stealing.

Graham has a shot at the third down role since the team is dragging their heels on getting Cadillac Williams back. Graham has fallen from favor for the last two seasons and he is 31 years-old and not the future. But until someone else shows up, he remains the best bet for a third down role.

Williams has signed a two-year deal with the Ravens to backup Ray Rice.

The Pats spent their 3.09 pick on this LSU star who brings in the same between the tackles pounding ability that BenJarvus Green-Ellis supplied last season. The Pats now have four viable options to use in the backfield and history says they'll wind up using them all to some measure. There is always a committee going on in NE so no matter what - any RB carries a lot of risk there. The only certainty that Ridley brings is risk to relying on Green-Ellis this year.

Williams has signed with the Rams to join Jerious Norwood in providing back up for Steven Jackson.

Morris has minor fantasy value with the loss of rookie Mikhel LeShoure but he remains not worth a draft pick.

(-Risk) Torain is the favorite to start the year as the primary back but this will be a committee situation this year and the Skins drafted two more backs to add to the mix. Throw in that Torain is often injured and chances are best he'll drop on the depth chart than have a break out season. He is marginally effective and a risk to get injured. His best asset is knowing the offense and the head coach.

(-Risk) (+Upside) The OU rookie could eventually become the #1 back in Dallas or he could follow more true to form and continue to be haunted by injuries and dings. Murray has the chance to be a complete back if he can remain healthy and the 3.07 pick says they want him to play. Murray will battle with Tashard Choice for playing time in camp but is one to watch. The Cowboys are not looking for a full-time back from anyone though.

Leonard could see a small uptick in fantasy productivity as a pass-catching fullback in the Bengals' West Coast offense, but unless you're in an extremely deep best ball league all his smattering of goal line catches will do is frustrate Cedric Benson owners.

Harper was selected with the 4.33 pick by the Titans and he could be more than merely RB depth. Harper is load coming through the line at 5-11, 233 pounds and could eventually see time as a third down back or a short yardage specialist. He's far behind the curve thanks to the lockout and Ringer remains the primary backup, but the Titans acquired Harper on the chance that he may eventually help lighten the load for Johnson.

Redman was announced as the goal line back to start last season, but that role never materialized. He'll battle Jonathan Dwyer and others for the right to back up Rashard Mendenhall.

The undrafted rookie has been impressive in camp and could wind up as the #3 back in Dallas. Tashard Choice has fallen from favor now and allowed Miller to likely keep the job.

No analysis available.

Brown remains the RB depth that the Colts never want to resort to using. Brown failed to make any mark in the absence of Addai last year and is nothing more than a backup running back.

The Ravens swapped out a fullback who wanted to be a feature back for Leach, who has three career carries and none since 2008. He may see the ball a couple times just to keep Ray Rice fresh, but his primary duty will be to clear linebackers out of Rice's way--and there's not much fantasy value in that.

Ward will start the year as the backup for Arian Foster but he is expected to be challenged by second year player Ben Tate who should win the job sooner than later. Ward is not a safe insurance pick for Foster and neither is Tate.

The Bills tabbed White with their 5.02 pick this year and the ex-Tarheel should spend most of this year on special teams and as a backup for Fred Jackson. Marginal value for 2011 but with Jackson hitting 30 years old, White could try to make a case for the future.

The Pittsburgh rookie was selected with the Eagle's 5.18 pick and he has been impressive at every level he has played. Problem is that he's only 5'7" and 195 pounds and that alone means he'll be viewed more as a scatback. He'll more likely do special teams and float behind LeSean McCoy on the depth chart, particularly if another veteran back ends up on the roster.

Washington signed for four years and $12.5 million in the offseason before the lockout and his first season back after a compound leg fracture only gained 100 yards on 27 run. Washington was primarily used on special teams and remains behind Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett.

Remains the #3 back but could be challenged by the rookie Bilal Powell

Norwood lands in St. Louis and should see some action as the primary backup for now. But outside of a handful of carries and catches, he won't have much impact and couldn't be relied on to carry the load if Jackson was injured.

Jones was a 4.28 pick by the Raiders and he was one of the fastest runners in the NFL draft - always a big plus with Al Davis. But Jones is only 5-11 and 195 pounds and won't challenge for much playing time behind Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Jones should spend his rookie season mainly on special teams. He's rare - a CB converted into a RB.

Choice fell from grace last year when he fell to only a 3.7 YPC in the wake of the loss of Tony Romo. The Cowboys remain committed to a rotation and entering training camp, Choice will be firmly locked into the #2 role but will battle the rookie DeMarco Murray. Short of an injury to Felix Jones, Choice will likely disappoint for a fourth year in a row.

Todman was picked with the 6.18 selection by the Chargers and the 5'9", 203 lb. runner is considered a replacement for the departed Darren Sproles. But it is unlikely he makes much inroads this year with Tolbert and Mathews there so expect mostly special teams work.

Ware remains strictly depth and needs an injury to Jacobs or Bradshaw to have any fantasy value.

The Jets spent their 4.29 pick on the Louisville back and while he'll be 4th on the depth chart for now, he's one to remember in case of injuries this year to starters or at least for next year with Tomlinson is likely gone and the depth chart changes again.

Dixon was the backup for Gore but he only managed 3.4 YPC in minimal relief and Gore is one of the rare backs who does not use a committee. Insurance for Gore owners - and he always misses one or two games at least - but nothing special and there is a good chance that the rookie Kendall Hunter supplants him as the #2.

To no one's surprise, the Fins did not stand pat on Hilliard as the backfield answer and both drafted and acquired free agents for starters. Hilliard is and always will be merely depth.

To ensure that he would have more options this year, HC Mike Shanahan made Royster his second back drafted when he used his 6.12 pick and while he'll likely do no more than #3 or #4 on the depth chart, Royster could see some playing time. The ex- Nittany Lion comes in with inside rushing ability but also can be a third down player and receiver. If this year ends up with as many injuries as 2010 did, then Royster might show up. A good name to know and track in case of injuries.

No analysis available.

Depth for the running backs and Goodson has some talent with three games over 100 yards last year when subbing in for the injured Deangelo Williams. Problem is - there has to be an injury to a starter before Goodson has any fantasy value.

No analysis available.