Couple guys I'm keeping an eye on in the games tonight that could be pretty relevant if the dice roll the right way...
In no particular order:
1) Denard Robinson - I've said it elsewhere that Gerhart has quite an injury history despite being a "break glass in case of emergency" type with Minnesota behind Peterson. Now he's going to be a full time guy with a heavy workload. I actually like Gerhart's talent, but there's certainly risk he'll break down. That's the type I look to throw darts behind.... Todman looked OK last year, but nothing special IMO. This preseason he's looked terrible. Robinson is up to 212lbs at 5'11"... that's pretty solid with his speed. He's looked great on limited touches this preseason... wouldn't be shocked if he passed Todman or saw an increased role despite Todman's presence. Robinson is also competing to be an option on KO returns, boosting value in those leagues.
2) Damien Williams - Also on record regarding Lamar Miller... I'm not much of a believer. I think he's pretty mediocre, a guy that looks great in shorts but lackluster when the pads come on. Helluva athlete, not the best RB. Moreno is what he is... solid pass protector, will get what's blocked... not very dynamic. Williams had some prospect buzz before getting kicked off the team at Oklahoma (a few of the national guys had him highly rated entering his senior year). Decent combine numbers.. big enough to be a clear workhorse and can catch the ball. Glowing reviews in camp so far... keeping a close eye on him tonight.
3) Boom Herron - In a Donald Brown sort of way I'm really starting to wonder if Herron just fits better in the current Colts situation than anyone else on that roster (I've heard a few guys in on Tipton and/or Fluellen, but neither have climbed the depth chart much). Herron doesn't have great top-end speed with that 4.6+ 40 at the combine, but he's quicker than fast with a reported 1.5 second 10-yard split according to Draftscout. A solid 3-cone and a great short shuttle at the combine show he's got some elusiveness. He can catch the ball out of the backfield as well, evidenced by 10 receptions thus far in the preseason, and he's been the most productive thus far averaging 5.8 per attempt. He's also an option on kick returns, which boosts value in those leagues.
4&5) Patriots Options - Jonas Gray and Brandon Bolden.... one of these guys is likey to make the team... conceivably both could if NE surprisingly cuts Ridley. Vereen has his role and isn't likely to do the heavy lifting between the tackles. White has struggled this preseason, and some were skeptical he could handle the work between the tackles as a prospect (specifically remember references to Wisconsin fans knowing he wasn't a great option in the trenches). It looks like his usage this preseason has been largely as Vereen's backup. Meanwhile Gray has received a ton of pub backing up Ridley, getting a ton of run thus far and being the most productive power back in that system. He's bounced around a little now after a knee injury ended his senior year at Notre Dame, but he may have found a home in NE. I'm pretty confident Bolden is JAG, but there's a chance he's more and we've not had the Pats lean on him, though I doubt it. There's a LeGarrett Blount-sized hole in this backfield as it currently stands that Gray could fill right away. That role could grow significantly if Ridley is either let go, or if he starts fumbling again. The Pats produce on the ground... they produce with a high volume of carries and great efficiency running, combined with the pace to run near the top of the league in total plays. Stacked together, it makes me less worried when I know there's a committee... there's enough to go around here. Tonight should be interesting.
Obviously if you have them, good for you. But between heightened concussion awareness, increased passing emphasis and the relative devaluation of the position (based on contracts and draft positions) the smart fantasy owner needs to have a read on the guys that don't make the front page of ESPN FF.
