New Year, Same Story

The Tennessee Titans had a good thing going last year - Chris Johnson runs them down the field, and then LenDale While finishes it off.

If the first preseason game tells us anything, the Titans are going to stick to that winning formula, as they should.

Interestingly, this makes both backs a little closer in value then many would think. To be clear, Johnson is still the back that should be taken first, but LenDale's TD opportunities makes him very valuable. One other thing of note, LenDale has lost some weight. He is still powerful, but a little more maneuverable and quick. Titan's are loaded!

This is a team with a good, if not great, line and likes to run. Both RBs have high fantasy value. Just about anywhere you look, White is rated significantly lower then Johnson. I think maybe a little too low. This is the only committee that I back. Take White, even if you have to reach a little. If White does what he did last year, you will be happy, if he does more (which is very possible), you got a steal.

- Scout Monkey

Lynch Suspension Upheld

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was served a three game suspension this March for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Like most star players, Lynch appealed the suspension, hoping to get his sentenced reduced to just one game. However, the NFL announced on Monday that they were upholding Lynch's suspension, making him ineligible for play until week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.

How much does a three game absence hurt Lynch's value?

Last season, Lynch was a borderline first round draft pick. This year - he is getting taken towards the end of the third round.

But, Marshawn Lynch might as well be worth a late second round pick this year because you know what he is going to give you; take a look.

Marshawn Lynch thrives as a running back in Buffalo. Once the weather takes a turn for the worse, Lynch improves significantly.

In September and October of last season, Lynch only managed 3.66 yards per carry. In November and December, he had 4.61 yards per carry.

But despite the fact that Lynch is a great second-half player, he is still missing a quarter of the regular fantasy season.

However, Fred Jackson, who has averages 4.6 yards per carry in his short career, will serve as Lynch's undisputed replacement for the first three games. Dominic Rhodes is supposed to help out; but expect Jackson to make Rhodes a non-factor. In week 17, Fred Jackson ran for 136 yards against the New England Patriots; he could even fight for Lynch's job when he returns.

Once Lynch returns, he will return to the starting line up and once again be a dominant fantasy force. In two seasons, he has ran for at least 1,000 yards and scored at least 7 times. While those numbers aren't likely to be replicated, we still rank him higher than his average draft position.

Fred Jackson can be acquired in the final rounds of the draft where you might be getting your back-up defense, or your first string kicker. Spend a late pick on Jackson, and you have a player who will serve as a starting running back for the first three weeks of the season.

And come week 4, that late fourth round pick you spent on Marshawn Lynch suddenly turned into a high end No. 2 running back for the remainder of the year.

In games against the Patriots, Buccaneers and Saints, the Bills will need extra input from Lee Evans and Terrell Owens in the passing game, increasing their respective values.

Even if you don't secure Lynch, Jackson is a good running back to secure until more guys open up on waivers.

Marion Barber: First round sleeper pick

Sure, you’ll giggle like a high school cheerleader if you get your league’s number one pick overall and are able to snag LT. But suppose you get stuck drafting late in the round, when LT is LG (long gone) and Adrian Peterson is carrying the rock for somebody else. If that happens, it’s time to go to the Barber…Marion Barber. He’s low-hanging fruit, typically placed at number 10-15 as a running back, but that’s way, way too low. Here’s why. Barber has been brilliantly productive the last two seasons (4.8 average, 24 touchdowns, no fumbles), despite being constrained by the Cowboys’ tandem running back arrangement He’s primed to hit high gear this season as the feature back. Sure, first-rounder Felix Jones will get to sniff the ball, but Barber is the guy. Look for big yards and plenty of TDs from number 24, who scores from short yardage like Tiger holes putts from two feet. Barber has the confidence of Tony Romo, the coaching staff and Jerry Jones, as evidenced by the only thing that may slow Barber down or tire him out this year: the strain of carrying all his contract loot to the bank. Barber will pocket some 45 million clams over 7 years, with 16 million guaranteed. With numbers like that, you better believe the Cowboys expect him to earn every dime on ever offensive play of every game. Your fellow owners may snap at perpetual underachiever Frank Gore. Or maybe Joseph Addai, destined to try getting a hand-off from Peyton as the QB pivots late on a sore knee. Forget the hype of those pretenders. Go with the smart move: go with Marion Barber as a high first round choice. --Scout Tex