FANTASY FOOTBALL ARTICLES

First Round - The first round historically had always been rich in providing stud running backs for the NFL up until 2002 when a three year drought of sorts began. No running back was selected in the first 16 picks in those three seasons and the results show their fall in the first round was warranted. Both William Green and T.J. Duckett have failed to become even a primary rusher while Willis McGahee and Larry Johnson may only now be getting their chance to become a starter for week one of a season. Last year saw Steven Jackson with a decent showing as he shared with Marshall Faulk while Kevin Jones did not catch fire until the second half of the season thanks to injury. Chris Perry was a complete non-factor thanks to injury and with the re-signing of Rudi Johnson will likely be a non-factor once again this year. The NFL draft had a great legacy of first round backs until the last three years.

Rounds Two through Four - Of the 49 backs taken from these rounds since 1999, there are eight who will start this season. James Jackson, Kevin Faulk, Amos Zereoue, Travis Minor, Olandis Gary, Rueben Droughns, Anthony Thomas, Travis Henry and Ladell Betts have started in the past. This area of the draft has produced almost as many starters as the first round has. These rounds also have produced many runners who may have played for a season or two before giving way to a better, invariably younger rusher. Last season produced Tatum Bell and Julius Jones who both will be starters this season with high expectations. These rounds are productive for producing backs, but only Portis, Westbrook, Rudi Johnson, Chris Brown and Lee Suggs have stuck as primary rushers. The pickings are slim but do exist. More often than not, these players get a shot for at least part of a season and often fade away.

Round Five through Seven - For all the players taken (42), none of them have become a starter at any point in their careers if in fact they are even still in the NFL. Final round gems sound great in theory but non-existent in reality.  This group has produced little more than some kick returners. Derrick Blaylock had a few nice games behind the monster line in Kansas City, but even he was sent packing this offseason. It just doesn’t happen anymore, regardless of the Terrell Davis story.

2005 – The draft this season seems much more like those in 1999-2001 when first rounders were taken early and were guaranteed starters for week one. Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Carnell Williams are most similar to 1999 when Edgerrin James and Ricky Williams entered the league with big expectations and opportunity. This season is already an aberration in that Arrington was taken in the second round and should be a lock for heavy use. Forget the slim pickings of the last three seasons, take a gander at the names from 1999-2001 to see what this season should produce.