Ben Tate

[Trudem]

Where does everyone see this guy at in his first year in Cleveland?

Will he put up solid RB2 numbers or will he be an at best flex play?

 

[Bulletz]

I would say Rb2 easily if he can stay healthy.

 

[Trudem]

Health is a major concern though isnt it?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Health is a big concern given his history. The HC & OC have already agreed that the backfield will be a committee so I wouldn't use him for much more than a flex play to start off. Obviously that can change if he lights it up, so I would feel comfortable drafting him as a RB3 type player. Don't be surprised if somebody takes a swing on him before he falls to be someone's RB3 though. Thats just the nature of the draft.

 

[Trudem]

I am just covering all my bases because he was offered to me in my dynasty league for Victor Cruz.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

All about health. He's had a couple of weird injuries, but last season (contract year) proved to me that he's more than tough enough to be an NFL RB. Played through multiple bruised/cracked ribs, pretty impressive.

CLE has a decent OL, decent DEF, and I bet his previous NFL experience gets him the lion's share to start the season, only getting spelled by West here and there. I think he should be a good RB2 with potential to put up RB1 numbers sporadically throughout the season for fantasy this year, but will probably end up getting drafted where he should be. In the 15th-20th RB taken range, the value lies in your league letting him fall due to injury/rookie backup concerns, imo.

Not sure we see a rebirth of Peyton Hillis' glory days, but let's be real, with Gordon facing a long term suspension, Tate should see more than enough touches to start the season to make you feel comfortable drafting him, but there will be that lingering doubt he keeps the job if he doesn't produce.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I am just covering all my bases because he was offered to me in my dynasty league for Victor Cruz.

I wouldn't take that offer... Tate plays in the most difficult division to run in. Think about it... The AFCN has some brutal run defenses! He would be spot start at best for a RB2.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

I wouldn't take that offer... Tate plays in the most difficult division to run in. Think about it... The AFCN has some brutal run defenses! He would be spot start at best for a RB2.

Can't live in the past if you want to win in fantasy. Tate does not play in the most difficult division to run in. NFC West was the most difficult division to run in last season, and will be again this year.

Last year's team rushing defense Yd/Gm ranking, with PPG given up in paranthesis:

1 - Arizona (20.2)
4 - SF (17)
5 - CIN (19.1)
7 - SEA (14.4)
9 - STL (22.8)
11 - BAL (22)
18 - CLE (25.4)
21 - PIT (23.1)

AFCN was much better vs the pass than the run last year, talk about bizarre-o world!! (all 4 teams in the top 12 last season)

I personally don't see the PIT or BAL defenses being substantially better vs the run compared to last season. Cincy probably takes a step back as well on the defensive side considering FA coaching and player departures.

But take it for what it is, those are still last season's stats, and this is a whole new season. I just like a healthy Tate, and I think he should easily finish top 20 if he's the starter over West.

As for the trade, I think I suggested you take it on your other thread, since you are stacked at WR in that league, and will have a much better chance replacing WRs than RBs come draft day in any keeper/dynasty format.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Can't live in the past if you want to win in fantasy. Tate does not play in the most difficult division to run in. NFC West was the most difficult division to run in last season, and will be again this year.

Last year's team rushing defense Yd/Gm ranking, with PPG given up in paranthesis:

1 - Arizona (20.2)
4 - SF (17)
5 - CIN (19.1)
7 - SEA (14.4)
9 - STL (22.8)
11 - BAL (22)
18 - CLE (25.4)
21 - PIT (23.1)

AFCN was much better vs the pass than the run last year, talk about bizarre-o world!! (all 4 teams in the top 12 last season)

I personally don't see the PIT or BAL defenses being substantially better vs the run compared to last season. Cincy probably takes a step back as well on the defensive side considering FA coaching and player departures.

But take it for what it is, those are still last season's stats, and this is a whole new season. I just like a healthy Tate, and I think he should easily finish top 20 if he's the starter over West.

As for the trade, I think I suggested you take it on your other thread, since you are stacked at WR in that league, and will have a much better chance replacing WRs than RBs come draft day in any keeper/dynasty format.

Wow I guess you're right... I had no idea the ranks were that skewed. Even though they weren't ranked well i still thought that RB's never scored that many Fantasy points against them. I would still be cautious about starting Tate on a consistent basis. PIT will be substantially better vs. the run this season, mark my words. Having 2 rookie LB's last season, as well as inconsistent NT play really hurt them. Not to mention they were in nickel based packages more than 60% of snaps. You won't see that as much this season now that Polamalu won't be used as a LB anymore.

I think Cincy will be better with Atkins coming back from ACL injury. Dunlap & Burfict are only getting better, which is scary. They did lose Johnson, their best pass rusher LY, but I don't see that hurting this group that much. A new defensive coordinator could be the only thing that hurts them this season. Their secondary is healthier, and new blood has been acquired.

Browns... They have an absurd amount of talent on this defense. I see no reason why they can't be a top 5 defense this year. If Gilbert clicks early, then they will have the best secondary in the division.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

good insights on the AFCN teams! I do think Cincy comes down a bit with both coordinators moving on to HC jobs. That's not overly damaging, but they weren't leaps and bounds better than the other teams in that division to begin with. Trudem's team from his other thread, WR depth > RB depth:
Ball, Jennings, Pierre Thomas, Pierce
Nelson, Garcon, Cruz, Patterson, Terrance Williams, Blackmon, Hunter

He's thinking he can get Forte/Lacy with his 1st pick in the re-draft, and then another top WR with 2nd pick. And I doubt he could get better players than Thomas or Williams if he tosses them back into the pool. That's why I think he should do the Tate for Cruz deal. Trudem - you should use some of the negative points on Tate to try to leverage an extra low end draft pick and do that deal, imo.

 

[Trudem]

good insights on the AFCN teams! I do think Cincy comes down a bit with both coordinators moving on to HC jobs. That's not overly damaging, but they weren't leaps and bounds better than the other teams in that division to begin with. Trudem's team from his other thread, WR depth > RB depth:
Ball, Jennings, Pierre Thomas, Pierce
Nelson, Garcon, Cruz, Patterson, Terrance Williams, Blackmon, Hunter

He's thinking he can get Forte/Lacy with his 1st pick in the re-draft, and then another top WR with 2nd pick. And I doubt he could get better players than Thomas or Williams if he tosses them back into the pool. That's why I think he should do the Tate for Cruz deal. Trudem - you should use some of the negative points on Tate to try to leverage an extra low end draft pick and do that deal, imo.

I already have more picks than I can use since our roster is set at 20. If you take out my keepers(Newton, Ball, Nelson, Garcon, Thomas, Jennings, Cruz, Patterson, Seattle and possibly Blackmon) plus add the kicker and two IDPs that leaves me with 7 useable draft picks and I have compiled, through trades, and additional 5th and 6th round pick while shipping out my 7th round pick. So I have 8 picks for 7 positions. Unless I dont keep Blackmon and that gives me 9 picks for 8 spots.

He is cooling off of the Tate talks now since his only other RB keeper is Sproles.

 

[tlance]

I think Tate is a flex play at best. The Brown's offense could be a real mess this year and they are talking about RBBC. Factor in Tate's injury history and the team's growing infatuation with Terrance West, and I think there is a lot that can go wrong here.

I don't think it is a bad idea to trade Cruz for a low end RB, but Cleveland is a situation I would try to avoid. Maybe Lamar Miller or Rashad Jennings could be acquired cheaply?

 

[averagejoe]

Not sure I believe all of the coach-speak about a committee. It could be "talk" to motivate the rookies West and Crowell, or to spark some competition among Baker and Ogbonnaya? Or both.

Tate has proven he can handle the load when he was with the Texans. Sure health is a concern, but it's always a concern - even with healthy backs. It should be noted that his contract has some decent rewards if he stays healthy. I don't see the Browns agreeing to 6.2 mill just to rotate backs. (But then again, a certain NFL team signed Josh Freeman for 3 mill only to see him hold a clipboard.)

Good stats Monkey! As for the schedule, the Browns have the 26th easiest schedule. But narrowing it to the RB position they have the 11th toughest schedule (go figure). But I don't generally put much stock in SOS.

 

[The Foot]

I don't think I would trade for him. He falls into that category of always hurt. I can see a guy with major, major talent and gets hurt a lot taking a chance on like Harvin or Gronk. With those guys you just know they will get hurt but the reward when they are in there is too high to resist. I don't think of tate as an elite play maker so add in his injury prone nature and I would have no problem passing plus west looks awesome!

 

[TREFF]

I would love Tate as my third RB, but I'd be real disappointed if he was my every week #2. And that's assuming he does play a full or near full schedule, which I have my doubts on.
Basically if he falls far enough I'd jump on him, but for where he's projected to be drafted, I'll let him be someone else's problem.

 

[tlance]

I would love Tate as my third RB, but I'd be real disappointed if he was my every week #2. And that's assuming he does play a full or near full schedule, which I have my doubts on.
Basically if he falls far enough I'd jump on him, but for where he's projected to be drafted, I'll let him be someone else's problem.

In other words, if you can't find a "safer" RB, you might be better off keeping Cruz and taking RBs with your first 2 picks.

 

[Trudem]

In other words, if you can't find a "safer" RB, you might be better off keeping Cruz and taking RBs with your first 2 picks.

This is my thinking. Since I pick 5th and we dont snake I am looking at Forte/Lacy in the first and depending on how many non RBs go in the first and early second possibly Murray/Morris/Bush at 17 with Ball already as my flex play.

I would also like to take a flyer on Toby Gerhart if he is free later in the draft.

 

[averagejoe]

Just one more thought on Tate and his "injury history." In the last 3 seasons, he's missed 9 games. Just to compare, Randall Cobb has missed 10 games in the last 3 seasons. Yet for a guy who seldom gets hit (Cobb), fantasy owners don't seem too concerned with his injury history as he's the 9th WR off the board. Yet Tate is a distant 24th RB off the board.

 

[Trudem]

A broken leg was most of that. That's way different than Tate always being on the injury report. Kudos to him for playing through but the guy is always banged up.

 

[TREFF]

A broken leg was most of that. That's way different than Tate always being on the injury report. Kudos to him for playing through but the guy is always banged up.

Yea..gotta take Trudem's point on this one. One game missed his second year. . Pretty sure the one game missed his rookie year he simply wasn't active, and the freak broken leg isn't exactly comparable to a back up RB, who seems to get injured every single chance he's ever had at getting substantial PT. Foster goes down, could nearly guarantee that Tate would follow within two weeks