Fantasy Football 2007 - the Year of the Wide Receiver

I'll ask it again. What has happened to our running backs? LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson, and Larry Johnson. These guys were generally the top 3 picks in most fantasy drafts. LJ may have slid depending on when you drafted based on his preseason contract situation. Rudi Johnson, Willis McGahee, Laurence Maroney, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Reggie Bush were late first, early second round picks. All of these players have been fairly disappointing thus far.

These running backs are being outscored by the likes of Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith, Roy Williams, Terrell Owens, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Kevin Curtis, Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards, and Andre Johnson (who even missed a game). I could see Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, and Terrell Owens, but the rest? That's crazy.

Not all of the running backs are off to slow starts. Brian Westbrook and Ronnie Brown have rode big Week 3's to the top of the scoring list. Joseph Addai and Willie Parker have been great. Marion Barber III, LaMont Jordan, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, and Derrick Ward have been surprisingly some of the strongest, most consistent plays.

How many of these guys brought jeers from your leaguemates when you selected them in your draft? Who's laughing now? Fantasy football is unpredictable. You can research until your face turns blue, but sometimes a little luck is all you need. So when you are drafting next year, try not to make fun of people for their picks. Remember, anything can happen.

So what can you do with this info? If you're me, you seek out the owners of the running backs who have been disappoinments. Obviously, LT is most likely untouchable. As is Reggie Bush, whose value increased with the injury to Deuce McAllister. There may not be a better time to try and get S-Jax. He's hurt and has been struggling. However, if you can get him for a bargain, it will help you in the long run. Eventually, New England will use the running game more. If you can get Maroney for cheap, you may be smiling when your faith is rewarded. Kansas City worked the outside with Dwayne Bowe, which opened the middle for Tony Gonzalez. That could eventually opens things up for LJ. Have you looked at Cincinnati's fantasy playoff schedule (Weeks 14-16)? It's as close to a cake walk as you're going to get in the NFL. For that reason, he could be a trade target. I don't recommend MJD. I predicted he'd be a bust in the preseason, and he's making me look like a genius.

So there you have it. A little bit of news. A little bit of trade help. Hopefully it helps you. Agree with my assessments? Think I'm full of it? Feel free to leave me a comment below.