subject: Nfl Tickets - Sleeper Running Backs [print this page] Here are some running backs that could provide owners with great value in their fantasy drafts in 2010:
Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts: I must admit, I shied away from drafting Addai last season due to the presence of Donald Brown, but Brown has done nothing to date to make me think that he's ready to wrestle the starting gig away from Addai. Addai might not be the most explosive runner, but he's going to get yardage both on the ground and through the air on a weekly basis. He also finds the end zone with regularity. He might not look pretty doing it, but he's going to produce fantasy points and should be a solid RB2 in 2010 at the very least.
Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins: How can one think that Ronnie Brown is all of a sudden going to stop getting hurt? Williams played very well once Brown went down last season and should be the better fantasy option in 2010. From what I saw of Williams in 2009, I think it's in play for him to eclipse 1,100 yards rushing and score double-digit touchdowns.
Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys: 2010 is being billed the year of Felix Jones in Dallas, but I think Barber will still play a prominent role in the running game. Barber is going later that I would expect in drafts. Jones has not shown that he can stay on the field and Barber should be the goal line back for the Cowboys regardless of Jones' health. Drafting Barber could be a way to scoop up double-digit TDs later in the draft.
Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints: Perhaps he's fool's gold, but I'm buying into him. Pierre Thomas could very well establish himself as the lead back in 2010, but I think the fact that the Saints are paying Bush so much money will give the former Heisman Trophy winner a real shot at a significant workload. He's looked good this preseason and has fared well running between the tackles. Bush has a lot of upside and could be an every week starter in a PPR league. He's a risk, but the upside is there.
Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions: Best is the kind of running back that will sell NFL tickets. He makes jaw-dropping plays and really isn't much different than Buffalo's C.J. Spiller. Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz has professed his love for Best's abilities, which bodes well for the rookie's workload. The Lions offense could take off this season and Best could be a big part of that.
Arian Foster, Houston Texans: With Ben Tate out for the season, Foster could become a feature back for Houston in 2010. Steve Slaton isn't making much of a push for the starting gig and it appears that he hasn't shaken his fumbling issues. Foster, meanwhile, has looked solid and seems to be better-suited to be a volume runner than the smaller Slaton. Slaton will likely factor into the passing game, but Foster should get the lion's share of the carries on the ground.
Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders: Bush is a better NFL runner than Darren McFadden; that is the bottom line. Expect Bush to see more action than his flashy backfield mate in an offense that should be much improved in 2010.
Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He's injury prone, but he's looked solid in training camp and could open the 2010 campaign as the lead back. Derrick Ward is on the verge of potentially getting cut, so Williams seems like the only trustworthy back on the Bucs at this point.
Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants: I think Bradshaw, not Brandon Jacobs, is in line to see the majority of the carries for the G-Men. He looked better last season and has looked better this preseason. It's only a matter of time.
