First up is Chiefs RB Jamal Charles (whom the Draftsharks.com staff affectionately named “J-Chaz” last year). Charles was – surprisingly – the top fantasy football RB from Weeks 14-17 last year. But Charles started his barrage well before Week 14. He took over for a suspended-and-soon-to-be-released Larry Johnson in Week 9 and didn’t look back. Charles scored in 7 of his final 9 games and topped 100 yards in 6 of those contests. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry behind the same offensive line that Johnson managed just 2.9 behind. K.C. might bring in a bigger back to handle short-yardage work, but J-Chaz is a good bet for around 300 touches next season. Let’s see what the offseason brings, but don’t be shocked if Charles grades out as a first round talent in most 2010 fantasy football rankings.
Next up is Browns RB Jerome Harrison. Although he racked up 152 totals yards in Week 4, it took an injury to Jamal Lewis to permanently move Harrison into the Browns’ starting lineup. In the season’s final 5 weeks, Harrison totaled 709 yards, including a mammoth 286-yard rushing game against the Chiefs in Week 15. But this is a guy who might be over-valued in 2010 fantasy football rankings. Of Harrison’s final 5 opponents, 4 ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in run defense. 446 of those 709 total yards came in 2 games against the Chiefs and Raiders, who ranked 31st and 29th respectively against the run. New Browns GM Tom Heckert has already questioned whether Harrison can handle a full 16-game workload. Let’s see what free-agency and the draft brings to the Browns’ backfield before Draftsharks.com projects Harrison’s 2010 fantasy numbers.
Finally, let’s take a look at Texans RB Arian Foster. Foster might have caused more gray hair and broken remotes than any other player in the final few weeks of the 2009 fantasy football season. The undrafted rookie didn’t see any action until a Week 14 game against the Seahawks. With starter Steve Slaton out with a neck injury, Foster led the team with 13 carries that day. He also added 4 catches. That was enough for some fantasy owners to plug him into their lineups the next week in a tasty matchup against the Rams. Foster’s response: 2 carries, 7 yards. Back to the waiver wire he went. But Foster came back the next week to post 97 rushing yards against the Dolphins. And he closed out the season with 145 total yards against the Patriots. Houston will likely add at least 1 RB through the draft or free-agency this offseason, but Foster will be right in the mix for carries in 2010. He won’t be very high in most 2010 fantasy football rankings, but he is someone that Draftsharks.com will keep a close eye on this coming summer.
As a bonus for your to consider, here is an early look at some potential candidates for Draftsharks.com “The Big 3” marquee articles:
Fantasy Football 2010 Rankings: Some Quick And Early Thoughts
First up is Chiefs RB Jamal Charles (whom the Draftsharks.com staff affectionately named “J-Chaz” last year). Charles was – surprisingly – the top fantasy football RB from Weeks 14-17 last year. But Charles started his barrage well before Week 14. He took over for a suspended-and-soon-to-be-released Larry Johnson in Week 9 and didn’t look back. Charles scored in 7 of his final 9 games and topped 100 yards in 6 of those contests. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry behind the same offensive line that Johnson managed just 2.9 behind. K.C. might bring in a bigger back to handle short-yardage work, but J-Chaz is a good bet for around 300 touches next season. Let’s see what the offseason brings, but don’t be shocked if Charles grades out as a first round talent in most 2010 fantasy football rankings.
Next up is Browns RB Jerome Harrison. Although he racked up 152 totals yards in Week 4, it took an injury to Jamal Lewis to permanently move Harrison into the Browns’ starting lineup. In the season’s final 5 weeks, Harrison totaled 709 yards, including a mammoth 286-yard rushing game against the Chiefs in Week 15. But this is a guy who might be over-valued in 2010 fantasy football rankings. Of Harrison’s final 5 opponents, 4 ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in run defense. 446 of those 709 total yards came in 2 games against the Chiefs and Raiders, who ranked 31st and 29th respectively against the run. New Browns GM Tom Heckert has already questioned whether Harrison can handle a full 16-game workload. Let’s see what free-agency and the draft brings to the Browns’ backfield before Draftsharks.com projects Harrison’s 2010 fantasy numbers.
Finally, let’s take a look at Texans RB Arian Foster. Foster might have caused more gray hair and broken remotes than any other player in the final few weeks of the 2009 fantasy football season. The undrafted rookie didn’t see any action until a Week 14 game against the Seahawks. With starter Steve Slaton out with a neck injury, Foster led the team with 13 carries that day. He also added 4 catches. That was enough for some fantasy owners to plug him into their lineups the next week in a tasty matchup against the Rams. Foster’s response: 2 carries, 7 yards. Back to the waiver wire he went. But Foster came back the next week to post 97 rushing yards against the Dolphins. And he closed out the season with 145 total yards against the Patriots. Houston will likely add at least 1 RB through the draft or free-agency this offseason, but Foster will be right in the mix for carries in 2010. He won’t be very high in most 2010 fantasy football rankings, but he is someone that Draftsharks.com will keep a close eye on this coming summer.
As a bonus for your to consider, here is an early look at some potential candidates for Draftsharks.com “The Big 3” marquee articles: