Every NFL Draft list is featuring Chris Johnson as the number one pick on every fantasy draft list available a few months prior to the 2010 NFL season. Why should current Fantasy football owners and number one draft pick owners be concerned with Chris Johnson?
Several issues are coming to light now, as training camp looms for the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee is already preparing for their best player, Chris Johnson to miss some or most of training camp heading into the 2010 NFL season. Coach Jeff Fisher appeared to be considering this an emerging problem in the NFL Draft, as he did draft Stafon Johnson from USC and Oregon’s problem child LaGarrette Blount. Are they good enough to replace Johnson as a tandem? Probably not but Johnson will see his touches drop dramatically once he gets into camp.
Chris Johnson Has Nowhere to Go but Down in the 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Season
Chris Johnson had an incredible 2009 year on the field and in the world of fantasy football. What now must be considered is what will Johnson’s production be in 2010? For fantasy football owners that currently own Johnson, now is the time to make a trade. Johnson will never be more valuable as he is right now. Once training camp begins and Johnson is a no show it will tough to trade him to another fantasy football owner.
Remember NFL Running Backs Shelf Life is Short. Look for the Next Chris Johnson
If you do not have Johnson and have a number one draft pick in the fantasy football draft, resist the temptation to take Johnson early in the first round. When rating Johnson as you make your fantasy football list, consider him to be a 1400-1,500 yard running back. No running back has ever run for 2000 yards back to back in NFL seasons and they never will. Not only will Johnson drop because of wear and tear, Fisher will limit his touches and decrease his value. This contract dispute will get uglier as the NFL season nears.
Johnson wants $30-40 Million Bonus Before He Reports
No one can blame Chris Johnson for wanting to get paid for his spectacular season. The problem is NFL general managers are wise to the life span of great running backs. They just don’t last very long anymore. Many NFL teams have gone to tandem running backs, making Chris Johnson that much more valuable to fantasy football owners in 2009. Johnson has already crossed the line of no return in this contract dispute and it will be interesting to see his numbers at the end of the 2010 NFL season.
Numbers Chris Johnson Fantasy Football Owners Should Look at These Numbers
Five running backs have rushed for over 2,000 yards in the history of the NFL, only Barry Sanders gained over 1,400 yards the next season. Terrell Davis was injured early the next season after his 2,000 yard season and of the other three running backs, Eric Dickerson rushed for 1,234, OJ Simpson rushed for 1,125 and Jamal Lewis rushed for 1,006 yards.
The Following is an Early List of the Top #1 Fantasy Football Running Backs Available for 2010
1) Maurice Jones Drew Jacksonville Jaguars.
Good upright runner that can catch out of the backfield.
2) Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson had his off year last year. Look for a rebound and less fumbles.
3) Ray Rice Baltimore Ravens.
Rice is a threat out of the backfield to catch passes and make yards after catch.
4) Jamaal Charles Kansas City Chiefs.
Charles was a huge pick up for fantasy football owners last year and he is a game breaker.
5) Chris Johnson Tennessee Titans.
Johnson will drop and this where he fit as the 5th best fantasy football running back of 2010.
6) Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers.
Gore had another off year for fantasy football owners and if he stumbles in 2010 he will fall out of the top 10.
7) LeSean McCoy Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy is the number one back for the Eagles and he will be this years Brian Westbrook of years past.
8) Ryan Mathews San Diego Chargers.
Mathews loves to get his touches and this pick may be a gamble but if picking the 8th best fantasy football running back it worth a shot.
9) Steven Jackson St Louis Rams.
Jackson has not recaptured his magic of the 2006 NFL season but is worth a gamble in the 9th fantasy football draft spot.
10) DeAngelo Williams Carolina Panthers.
There are a lot of changes coming to the offense of Carolina and that could mean that Williams will be unleashed to run. Williams suffered through a down year and will improve.
The key when making any first pick is to study the fantasy football league to understand if the points are greater for a running back or a quarterback. Most fantasy football leagues reward running backs over quarterbacks. Make sure to investigate which point scoring system is in play.
sources:
www.NFL.com player profiles.
www.espn.go.com player profiles.
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com fantasy football strategy.
