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TREFF
Fantasy Football Guru--??
back again by unpopular demand, my yearly take on which teams need a RB, ensuing arguments on which mediocre talent currently on the roster is or isn't good enough to justify their team being on the list..and then to watch the NFL teams continue to push the narrative that RB's are a dime a dozen, not select one, not sign one..and then wonder why their offense sucks.
Firstly, what's gonna be available-
Since the first round of free agency is before the draft, we'll start there
UFA's 2022-
Melvin Gordon
Leonard Fournette
R. Penny
P Lindsay
James Conner
David Johnson
Ronnie Jones
and a virtual cornucopia of wannabe's and usedtabe's (C. Edmonds, J. White, Coleman, L. Murray, D. Freeman, L. Bell etc..)
No names really worthy of mention on the possible RFA's..not that anyone would offer a contract for one anyways
So the potential list of available free agents has some real talent, however, teams can always get these guys re-signed before free agency opens so the list is 'fluid'. I highly doubt BOTH TB RB's are UFA's, I highly doubt BOTH Cardinals RB's will be UFA's..right? But it's likely that there are at minimum 3 dudes who could easily be "THE guy" with virtually any team they sign with.
And then we've got the draft..what NCAA STUD is gonna be your new dynasty lynchpin?? Most likely none of them. The consensus among most scouts and draft analyst types is that there are ZERO feature backs in this year draft. There's a couple maybe, and plenty of guys who could fill a role, be a rotational type guy..but zero N Harris's, nada on the J. Taylor/Swift/Dobbins/Akers/CEH's, not even a Josh Jacobs in site. that said..I think there are 2-3 who COULD be a viable fantasy asset, if landing in the spot where they'll be used heavily or at least consistently. And another 2-3 where, IF the stars align just right..could develop into something special
So now, the big question..who actually needs a RB? what teams have a true hole to fill?
Definite need-
Arizona- both RB's from 2021 are UFA's. re-signing Conner means the only need decent depth, re-signing Edmonds means they still have a hole to fill.
Atlanta (yep agian)- one of the spots that was debated about at length last year was Mike Davis and him being able to get the job done. Well he proved that he couldn't, especially when a converted WR/punt returner put him to shame at RB. That dude is also a UFA, and chances ae someone else is going to make the mistake of overpaying him. Leaving ATL with nothing but Mike Davis again, only this time, there's no question to debate..he can't cut it.
TB- like ARZ, both RB's from 2021 are UFA's. signing FOurnette means they're likely set at RB. signing Jones means they still have a hole to fill, its just not quite as deep of a hole.
Miami (yep agian)- yet another year, yet another dismal rushing attack put forth by the Dolphins. How? by assuming a collection of ' never will be's" like Gaskins and Ahmed could handle the job. then they made it even worse by signing Lindsay and Duke Johnson..who, performed as good or better than Gaskins and Co., but still couldn't do that job. Why? because contrary to popular belief, RB' aren't a dime a dozen. Perhaps the new staff recognizes this very simple path to improving the offense and finally fills the hole at RB which has existed since 2015 and Lamar Miller (if you want that half season of Ajayi spanning the end of 2016-17 seasons fine..take it).
KC - probably not going to be a popular viewpoint, but, Mahommes needs a rushing attack to relieve pressure on him and the O-line, not to mention soften up some coverages from the defense..and after 2 years of CEH, he's definitely not that guy. We saw last season that D's simply will not allow the Chiefs to do what they do best, and thus far, they haven't come up with a lethal plan B, a rushing attack could easily be that. KC is a win now team, and they're wins are %100 through the offense. Can't afford to keep screwing around with this spot much longer.
Houston - will..duh. they need damned near everything. And while their RB depth chart is a disaster area, they likely won't address it as a priority this offseason, given all the other grand canyons they have..but maybe they should, as a strong rushing attack controlling the clock, could help mitigate the trash they'll have at QB and elsewhere.
That's about it..all around. I don't even see many teams that need a second guy..most of those have been filled lately. I think LAC need a second guy that's better than what they've had lately. Buffalo, maybe? Moss hasn't taken a step forward, although Singletary has.
Then there's the teams like LAR- I was very unimpressed with Aker's return..but Henderson did decent filling in. Michel is a UFA. I wouldn't be shocked if the Rams found a new RB, but I certainly wouldn't say they NEED to.
Seattle still has Carson, for whatever that's worth, and I would imagine they likely re-sign Penny..but if they don't, they'd better get someone decent, cuz Carson is falling apart.
Chicago and Montgomery? mehh..sure ok, maybe..but Monty has been decent enough. maybe a little better quality in the depth behind him?
So there it is, 5 maybe 6 primo landing spots to be filled by a handful of UFA's and hopefully those 1-3 rookie RB's that need some quantity to be decent contributors. NAd likely two or more of which who will pass on the position..and most likely suck offensively, again.
The only system where RB's were TRULY a dime a dozen was the old Alex Gibbs/Shannahan/Kubiak rushing system, and even there, the good ones vastly outshined those who were more like a dime a dozen guys
Firstly, what's gonna be available-
Since the first round of free agency is before the draft, we'll start there
UFA's 2022-
Melvin Gordon
Leonard Fournette
R. Penny
P Lindsay
James Conner
David Johnson
Ronnie Jones
and a virtual cornucopia of wannabe's and usedtabe's (C. Edmonds, J. White, Coleman, L. Murray, D. Freeman, L. Bell etc..)
No names really worthy of mention on the possible RFA's..not that anyone would offer a contract for one anyways
So the potential list of available free agents has some real talent, however, teams can always get these guys re-signed before free agency opens so the list is 'fluid'. I highly doubt BOTH TB RB's are UFA's, I highly doubt BOTH Cardinals RB's will be UFA's..right? But it's likely that there are at minimum 3 dudes who could easily be "THE guy" with virtually any team they sign with.
And then we've got the draft..what NCAA STUD is gonna be your new dynasty lynchpin?? Most likely none of them. The consensus among most scouts and draft analyst types is that there are ZERO feature backs in this year draft. There's a couple maybe, and plenty of guys who could fill a role, be a rotational type guy..but zero N Harris's, nada on the J. Taylor/Swift/Dobbins/Akers/CEH's, not even a Josh Jacobs in site. that said..I think there are 2-3 who COULD be a viable fantasy asset, if landing in the spot where they'll be used heavily or at least consistently. And another 2-3 where, IF the stars align just right..could develop into something special
So now, the big question..who actually needs a RB? what teams have a true hole to fill?
Definite need-
Arizona- both RB's from 2021 are UFA's. re-signing Conner means the only need decent depth, re-signing Edmonds means they still have a hole to fill.
Atlanta (yep agian)- one of the spots that was debated about at length last year was Mike Davis and him being able to get the job done. Well he proved that he couldn't, especially when a converted WR/punt returner put him to shame at RB. That dude is also a UFA, and chances ae someone else is going to make the mistake of overpaying him. Leaving ATL with nothing but Mike Davis again, only this time, there's no question to debate..he can't cut it.
TB- like ARZ, both RB's from 2021 are UFA's. signing FOurnette means they're likely set at RB. signing Jones means they still have a hole to fill, its just not quite as deep of a hole.
Miami (yep agian)- yet another year, yet another dismal rushing attack put forth by the Dolphins. How? by assuming a collection of ' never will be's" like Gaskins and Ahmed could handle the job. then they made it even worse by signing Lindsay and Duke Johnson..who, performed as good or better than Gaskins and Co., but still couldn't do that job. Why? because contrary to popular belief, RB' aren't a dime a dozen. Perhaps the new staff recognizes this very simple path to improving the offense and finally fills the hole at RB which has existed since 2015 and Lamar Miller (if you want that half season of Ajayi spanning the end of 2016-17 seasons fine..take it).
KC - probably not going to be a popular viewpoint, but, Mahommes needs a rushing attack to relieve pressure on him and the O-line, not to mention soften up some coverages from the defense..and after 2 years of CEH, he's definitely not that guy. We saw last season that D's simply will not allow the Chiefs to do what they do best, and thus far, they haven't come up with a lethal plan B, a rushing attack could easily be that. KC is a win now team, and they're wins are %100 through the offense. Can't afford to keep screwing around with this spot much longer.
Houston - will..duh. they need damned near everything. And while their RB depth chart is a disaster area, they likely won't address it as a priority this offseason, given all the other grand canyons they have..but maybe they should, as a strong rushing attack controlling the clock, could help mitigate the trash they'll have at QB and elsewhere.
That's about it..all around. I don't even see many teams that need a second guy..most of those have been filled lately. I think LAC need a second guy that's better than what they've had lately. Buffalo, maybe? Moss hasn't taken a step forward, although Singletary has.
Then there's the teams like LAR- I was very unimpressed with Aker's return..but Henderson did decent filling in. Michel is a UFA. I wouldn't be shocked if the Rams found a new RB, but I certainly wouldn't say they NEED to.
Seattle still has Carson, for whatever that's worth, and I would imagine they likely re-sign Penny..but if they don't, they'd better get someone decent, cuz Carson is falling apart.
Chicago and Montgomery? mehh..sure ok, maybe..but Monty has been decent enough. maybe a little better quality in the depth behind him?
So there it is, 5 maybe 6 primo landing spots to be filled by a handful of UFA's and hopefully those 1-3 rookie RB's that need some quantity to be decent contributors. NAd likely two or more of which who will pass on the position..and most likely suck offensively, again.
The only system where RB's were TRULY a dime a dozen was the old Alex Gibbs/Shannahan/Kubiak rushing system, and even there, the good ones vastly outshined those who were more like a dime a dozen guys
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