As team’s prepare for the start of their preseason schedules we are starting to get a look as to how team’s have their depth chart setup. Obviously a lot can change between now and the beginning of the season, but at least we know what team’s are thinking early on. Let’s take a look at a little bit of the news:
Denver Broncos – Knowshon Moreno is listed at #4 behind Willis McGahee, Lance Ball & Ronnie Hillman
News courtesy of Evan Silva of NBC Sports (click here to view)
Did anyone truly believe that Knowshon Moreno held much value entering the 2012 campaign? The presence of Peyton Manning, and with it an increased passing game, should have been enough to dissuade us. The selection of Ronnie Hillman in the third round of the draft nearly cemented it.
Moreno has always had potential, the problem is his inability to stay on the field. The only time he has played all 16 games was his rookie year, totaling just 20 the past two seasons. When on the field he has failed to show much explosion with just 7 rushes of at least 20 years over 466 career attempts. Just to compare, McGahee had 10 rushes of at least 20 yards on 249 carries a year ago and the New Orleans Saints’ Darren Sproles had 7 on 87 rushes.
If Moreno wants to make the team as a change of pace back, he needs to show an ability to break big runs. Maybe he would be better off getting a fresh start with another organization, which may ultimately be the end result. Regardless, right now he holds no fantasy appeal.
Washington Redskins – Roy Helu is listed at #3 behind Tim Hightower & Evan Royster
News courtesy of Rich Campbell via Twitter (click here to view)
We all love Mile Shanahan running back situations, don’t we? Helu is the popular name among fantasy owners and, in the end, he may ultimately be the lead back in Washington. However, when you are dealing with Shanahan it really is anybody’s guess.
Would I be willing to draft Helu as more of a RB3 with upside? Absolutely, but right now it is impossible to trust him as one of your starters.
Royster is a big back (6’1″, 216 lbs.) and could earn significant playing time if he proves that he offers the best protection for rookie Robert Griffin III. Hightower, meanwhile, has proven capable when healthy and at least at this point appears to have the lead on the competition. Either one could ultimately be a major drain on Helu’s potential value if he is able to ascend up the depth chart. At the same time, both offer the potential to keep Helu buried as well.
The bottom line? No matter what we want to happen, this situation is incredibly unpredictable. There could ultimately be value in Helu, but look for it as a reserve on your bench and don’t risk getting left with nothing out of him.
