Need A Fantasy Running Back? Grab These Guys

Added on Sep 23, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

If you’re a veteran of fantasy football, then you’re well aware finding a decent running back option three weeks into the regular season is next to impossible. Unless a starter goes down, as in the case of Ryan Grant, scouring the waiver wire usually produces scant results. However, that doesn’t mean diamond in the roughs aren’t lurking on teams’ rosters. In 2009, Fred Jackson, Jerome Harrison and Jamaal Charles emerged from relative obscurity to become reliable starters. This year won’t be any different. The trick is identifying potential studs and scooping them up when the time is right. Well, now is the time. Here are a handful of backs who could pay big dividends by season’s end.

Mike Tolbert (Chargers) – Before rookie Ryan Mathews went down with a sprained ankle, Tolbert was stealing carries, especially around the goal line. Now that Mathews is out for an undetermined amount of time, Tolbert will be the man in San Diego. Mathews hasn’t looked very impressive and has a bad case of fumblitis. Get Tolbert and hang onto him.

Jason Snelling (Falcons) – Michael Turner just can’t stay healthy. If you own Turner and didn’t handcuff him with Snelling, shame on you. Odds are ‘The Burner’ will keep getting nicked, which only increases Snelling’s value. With Jerious Norwood out for the year with a torn ACL, expect Snelling’s role to increase. He might become a viable flex option and could be a top ten back should Turner suffer a significant injury.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Patriots) – Having been burned by the New England backfield conundrum in the past, I can’t wholly endorse adding any of their runners. That being said, the trade of Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk’s season-ending injury has thinned the ranks considerably. Fred Taylor is a dinosaur and Sammy Morris isn’t far behind. If you’re desperate, take a flyer on Green-Ellis.

Chris Ivory (Saints) – Mike Bell is in Philly. Reggie Bush is sidelined with a broken leg. That leaves journeyman Ladell Betts and rookie free agent Ivory competing for carries behind Pierre Thomas. Betts has zero upside, but Ivory was a training camp star this summer. He’s physical and has deceptive speed. Stick him on your bench as he could become a frequent contributor and goal line vulture.

Kareem Huggins (Bucs) – Cadillac Williams is averaging 2.6 ypc with zero touchdowns through two games. To be blunt, the guy is a major stiff. They have Earnest Graham, but, well, it’s Earnest Graham; he’s nothing special. At some point Huggins will get his shot. Unlike the other two backs, he has explosive ability and is capable of busting off a run longer than four yards. If you can afford to grab and stash him, do it now.