In-depth Discussion, RBs.

[Warpigs]

I would draft KJ or JJ as my No. 3 RB. I would be too nervous to rely on them as starters on a weekly basis, but it would be nice to horde them and then watch them flourish on my bench -- to use as injury/bye fill-ins or as trade bait.

As much as I like the Lions to improve this year, it all depends on how quickly the chemistry is formed. They have a lot of new guys (CRogers included -- he can be considered almost a rookie himself since he missed part of last year). The Lions O-Line is totally a mystery to me.

I always feel better with proven guys on my roster, but again, if I have two solid RBs, then I would look to draft them after Westbrook in my rankings.

Honestly, I won't add them to my main cheat sheet until right before I draft -- which allows me to see them in action this preseason some. I want Parcells to convince me that Julius is his starter and for Detroit to prove that KJ won't be part of a season-long RBBC.

[IRON CHEF]

Nice job Warpigs. My rankings are much like yours. After seeing everyone rank Jamal #7 and a lot of people even taking him 6 it is nice to see someone else who thinks the Edge will have a do very good this year.

[CC]

Everyone is really down on Ricky this year, I have him above J-Lew, Edge, and Shaun Alexander, if he plays somewhat like the way he did in 2002, he will be a steal. I like the analysis though Warpigs.

[Kensat30]

Very nice analysis Warpigs, I totally agree with your first 10 rankings. Although I rate J.Lewis slightly above Ricky (last time I checked the legal system in the USA is a famous person's whore).

Although my #11-22 list looks very different from yours, it really helps me to see the different viewpoints out there. Your thoughts on DDavis has got me a lot more interested in the guy simply as trade bait, because I also feel that he will start the season strong and end with a fart. I never thought of him from that angle, very smooth.

[proKrastinate]

The Ravens plan on using Chester Taylor and Musa Smith more this season, whether Jamal Lewis is misses gametime or not.
Lewis finished with 387 carries last season. Just an estimate, but we're guessing Baltimore would like to get that number below 330. Jul. 15 - 4:14 pm et
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com

[KingGhidra]

The Ravens plan on using Chester Taylor and Musa Smith more this season, whether Jamal Lewis is misses gametime or not.
Lewis finished with 387 carries last season. Just an estimate, but we're guessing Baltimore would like to get that number below 330. Jul. 15 - 4:14 pm et
Source: BaltimoreRavens.com

These are the things I tend to ignore. It's all well and good to say things like that, but when the game and your job as a HC are on the line, you go with your best players. In other words, I'll believe it when I see it.

[Rodge]

I am still just astonished that everyone is ranking Jamal Lewis so low. If it is because people base their rankings on the assumption of drafting early, then that may explain the poor ranking. It is beyond me, however, how anyone serious about fantasy football could draft anytime before the end of the preseason. I have Jamal Lewis ranked in my top 5 RB's, and he could rise up even further depending on what happens and what is said about Lewis and the other 4 RB's in my top five during training camp and the preseason.

Anyways, I am not too high on Edgerrin James. I don't think that he will ever be the player that he was before his knee injury. He also has a good deal of talent behind him. When I think of Edgerrin James, this is what comes to mind: Last season, Week 13, Late in the 4th quarter, Colts 34 Pats 38, Colts ball, first and goal on the 2 yard line. Edge James had 3 opportunities to get the ball in the end zone (Manning passed on 3rd down). And yes, James was stuffed on all 3 attempts (after James was stuffed on 4th down Willie McGinest ran down the field with his arm in the air - it is etched in my memory like it was yesterday). Call me crazy, but I think that that depicts the Edgerrin James of today. He is just not as explosive as a used to be. Sure, James will probably post decent numbers this year, but I don't believe that he will ever rise up to prominence once again.

I think that Ricky Williams will have a much better season than last year. If AJ Feely pans out and David Boston doesn't look like and run like a defensive tackle, the Dolphins offense should be vastly improved. It is almost a certainty that Williams will not duplicate or break his team record of 392 carries last year - and that is a good thing. He was just way too overworked last year.

I am pretty big on Fred Taylor. I think that the injury risk label that he has been given is a little overhyped. Last season, I really thought that the Jaguars had a chance at having a pretty decent year, until they inserted a rookie QB into the starting lineup (maybe it was for the better, who knows?). The thing that worries me about Taylor is his touchdown numbers. Last year he had only 6 rushing TD's and a couple of years ago he wasn't even the goal line back. Man that frustrates me. If Taylor was a serious TD threat, I would bump him up at least 2-3 spaces in the rankings. Anyways, I do think that Taylor is very much worth the risk and that the Jaguars will possibly contend for a playoff spot. It is just too bad that they are in such a tough division with the Colts and Titans. Although, how much do the Titans have left?

Sorry, I like to ramble about more than just strictly fantasy football.

[KingGhidra]

I am still just astonished that everyone is ranking Jamal Lewis so low. If it is because people base their rankings on the assumption of drafting early, then that may explain the poor ranking. It is beyond me, however, how anyone serious about fantasy football could draft anytime before the end of the preseason. I have Jamal Lewis ranked in my top 5 RB's, and he could rise up even further depending on what happens and what is said about Lewis and the other 4 RB's in my top five during training camp and the preseason.

I consider Jamal 5th or 6th when the drug case goes away. I find it difficult to rank him ahead of guys like Priest, Deuce and LT2 who are such a huge factor in the passing game.

Anyways, I am not too high on Edgerrin James. I don't think that he will ever be the player that he was before his knee injury. He also has a good deal of talent behind him. When I think of Edgerrin James, this is what comes to mind: Last season, Week 13, Late in the 4th quarter, Colts 34 Pats 38, Colts ball, first and goal on the 2 yard line. Edge James had 3 opportunities to get the ball in the end zone (Manning passed on 3rd down). And yes, James was stuffed on all 3 attempts (after James was stuffed on 4th down Willie McGinest ran down the field with his arm in the air - it is etched in my memory like it was yesterday). Call me crazy, but I think that that depicts the Edgerrin James of today. He is just not as explosive as a used to be. Sure, James will probably post decent numbers this year, but I don't believe that he will ever rise up to prominence once again.

That had a lot more to do with shitty play selection and poor execution. Watch KC, Denver or Green Bay at the goal line. Awesome execution and the defense is always off balance. If Indy playactions to a tight end or receiver on 1st down, they walk away with that game. Instead they run the ball into the strength of the Pats D on first and second down (when the defense expects it). On 3rd down they try a horribly executed pass. Straight drop back from Manning and no touch on the pass at all. 4th down, run to the heart of the defense again.

I think that Ricky Williams will have a much better season than last year. If AJ Feely pans out and David Boston doesn't look like and run like a defensive tackle, the Dolphins offense should be vastly improved. It is almost a certainty that Williams will not duplicate or break his team record of 392 carries last year - and that is a good thing. He was just way too overworked last year.

I don't think he was overworked, I just think his line stunk and it showed. He didn't run with confidence to the line. Instead he danced around hoping for a hole and got stuffed on short gains very often.

Sorry, I like to ramble about more than just strictly fantasy football.

I think judging fantasy football in the context of the real game is very important and somewhat overlooked. I enjoyed your post thoroughly.

[Warpigs]

Overall, I still see Edge as a major factor this year. Again, I'm sure most of you read other posts here about how the Colts could screw Edge at the end of the season. He knows he's on the chopping block unless he performs from game one. I think that alone will push him ahead of the rest of the backs discussed.

And as far as JLew, I wouldn't draft him ahead of Ahman Green, either (hypothetically as if his legal charges were all a non-factor). Green will have an explosive year. I still would draft Lewis no higher than seventh, with Holmes, Green, LT2, Portis, Deuce and SAlexander (another contract-motivated player) all ahead of him.

[MrTwo94]

I really like those rankings. Don't let them talk you into J.Lewis. He just had his career year. He will do nothing but disappoint this year. Expect 1600/10 from him. Not bad numbers but not worth the 7th pick. Those predictions are not even taking the legal matters into consideration.
I am big on Edge this year, as well. I might take Ricky before him with the 8th or 9th pick in hopes that Edge will make it back around.
I really like your 11-14 rankings, too. You guys will probably discredit me for saying this, but I think DD will have more fantasy production than J.Lewis. He might not get as many yards but he will score more. He had 8 last year w/Mack stealing his goal line carries for half the year.
Most of my leagues will be yahoo, so yards aren't worth as much as TD's which is why I'm thinking about bumping Taylor down to 14 and bumping the other guys up. 6 TD's just does not warrant a 1st round selection.
The only qualm I had was that you left Thomas Jones out. I'd like to see him down there around Staley. But that might just be optimism. I'd also watch out for Griffin. The preseason will help clarify, but if he's the starter, he'll be up there in the teens.