Free Agent Running Backs

In an expert fantasy draft I recently participated in I noticed an interesting trend that I thought was worth mentioning. There was not one single free agent running back targeted in the draft. In an 18 round draft, I was able to pick up Shaun Alexander in round 14 and Kevin Jones in round 17. Of course there is good reason to be wary in regards to these runners. Shaun Alexander is obviously past his prime and Kevin Jones has had more than his fair share of injury woes over the past few years. But when placed in the proper offense, both of these players have the ability to make a positive contribution to a fantasy team. Both Denver and Chicago are in the market for a runner to supplement their current roster and both Jones and Alexander have the ability to come in and make a case at the starting job. I especially like Jones potential. He has been effective in the past when healthy and although there are plenty of reasons to doubt his ability to stay healthy, if Jones is available late in drafts, there is very little downside to taking a chance on him. Jones is planning a league-wide workout at the end of the month and in the small preview that Jones did give, he showed a solid burst and even ran the shuffle to prove his ability to make sharp cuts. If you have a very early draft, perhaps in a keeper format, you may want to give Jones consideration. Even if Jones signs somewhere before your fantasy draft, it is likely he will fall to later rounds because of his injury risk. Don’t reach at all for Jones, but if he should fall to you in a late round, take a shot on him. You may like what you get.