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Who will take over
for Ryan Williams in Arizona, anyone
Fantasy Football draft-worthy...or will
Beanie Wells have a break-out 2011?
I don't believe that
the big-impact Fantasy Football RB for
the Arizona Cardinals for 2011, is
actually on the roster at the moment. I
would theorize the following conspiracy
theory in Arizona...
Beanie Wells
has done nothing but disappoint for two
years. Even at his best/healthiest,
Wells is a limited RB...a pounding-style
RB, with hands of stone in the passing
game. Kevin Kolb runs a quick
pace Offense, and utilizes check-downs
to the RB often...and he really can't do
that with Wells. Beanie has been oft
injured, and has frustrated coaches with
work-ethic, ball-security and attitude.
Even if Wells does well this season,
there is no way the Cardinals (smelling
a possible divisional crown) will rely
on Beanie teamed LaRod
Stephens-Howling or Alfonso Smith...they
have to get a more established/skilled
"speed-RB" with good hands in the
passing game.
There will be a flood
of RBs coming loose in as NFL teams make
their cut downs, it won't necessarily be
pretty...but there might be a hidden-gem
in there. Also, teams will make RBs
available in trade (pre-cutting) if they
have some value in the open market.
Where that matters for Fantasy Football
2011 is, a decent name RB going to
Arizona is going to have an instant
Fantasy Football Draft value...as high
as a top-20 RB pick. If you think that's
not possible, consider some of the
theories on my list...
The RB that Arizona
will/has to target is a smaller RB. No
need to add another bruiser with Wells.
If I put on my NFL GM hat, and I was in
the Cardinals shoes...here would be
names on my list to go after...cheap.
Everyone on this list could be a
productive NFL RB according to our
computer models...with a few of them
possessing some NFL star/elite data
points.
My candidates for
top-10 best Fantasy Football RBs for the
Arizona Cardinals by 2011 end:
1) Steve Slaton, RB
Texans -- Think about it. If a fully
healthy Steve Slaton was traded to
Arizona tonight, and your Fantasy
Football Draft was tomorrow...Slaton
would go from a likely undrafted RB, to
a top 20-25 in the blink of an eye.
Slaton has not shown a massive decline
in talent the past 1-2 years...he just
got outplayed by Arian Foster in 2010
(who didn't?), and thus Slaton sat and
watched. Pre-2010, Steve Slaton was an
in demand Fantasy Football RB. He did
have a neck issue/surgery a couple years
ago...but ran the ball fine in the 2010
preseason, and returned kicks for the
Texans in 2010. His crime is mostly that
he is not as good in the Texans system
as Foster is. Now with Ben Tate showing
that he is a potential monster RB
too...Slaton could be had via trade
easily, more likely he will be cut.
Either way, Slaton on the Cardinals
might be a Fantasy Football match made
in heaven. We have been directing
clients to take Slaton in the 14-15th
Round of 12-14 team Fantasy Football
Drafts now, to play this
gamble...knowing it may not hit, but if
it does...it's a late-round Home Run.
*Slaton has been battling a hamstring
injury in camp, making the likelihood
that he will be released, not traded.
2) Ryan Grant, RB
Packers -- We think Grant will be
traded or released. Too much RB talent
on the Packers depth chart, no reason to
keep the elder-statesman that is coming
off a missed season due to injury. They
didn't need him last year to win a Super
Bowl. We haven't been excited by how
Grant has looked this preseason coming
off that injury.
3) Tashard Choice,
RB Cowboys -- Will the Cowboys
finally let Choice go? They drafted
DeMarco Murray, they have given a push
to Lonyae Miller this preseason, and
UDFA Philip Tanner has looked better
than any of them this preseason. Choice
needs a chance, if he gets moved to
Arizona...instant top 20-25 RB in
Fantasy Football Drafts the same day.
4) Jalen Parmele,
RB Ravens -- Our computer analysis
has been very high on Parmele since
coming out of college, but he has been
buried behind Ray Rice. Much like
Tashard Choice, Parmele needs a chance
to show his skills. Possible to be cut
out of lack of need, but the Ravens have
been holding him for years as their Ray
Rice insurance chip.
5) Mike Goodson, RB
Panthers -- Goodson definitely won't
be cut/released...this would have to be
a trade, if even available. Goodson
would flash into the top 20-25 RBs for
Fantasy Football Drafts on this
hypothetical move.
6) Joe McKnight, RB
Jets -- He never seemed to fit with
the Jets. Was a top RB coming out of
High School, and supposed to be
all-world at USC...but he was just
decently productive in college. McKnight
had a 100+ yard game in his one start in
2010 (Week-17 against Buffalo). Has some
skills, and is potentially going to be
available for pickup from waivers soon.
7) Joique Bell, RB
Saints -- Bell had turned heads in
Buffalo's camp in 2010, and with the
Saints in 2011. A 5'11, 220 pound
pit-bull RB...and a massive producer at
small college -- Wayne State. The Saints
have plenty of RBs, they likely will
reluctantly let Bell go in the next few
days.
8) Nic Grigsby, RB
Miami -- We are very high on the
UDFA RB. We match Grigsby to Arizona, as
who knows if any UDFA RB will stick with
their original team...and Grigsby was an
off & on star at the University of
Arizona. If released by Miami, this
would be a perfect landing spot.
However, we don't think Miami will cut
Grigsby.
9) Antone Smith, RB
Atlanta -- Smith has some very
interesting physical measurables, but
the Falcons have plenty of RBs locked in
or competing for roster spots. If I were
an NFL team, I would "kick the tires" on
Smith.
10) Derrick Locke,
RB Philly/Free-Agent -- A 2011 UDFA
rookie just recently released by the
Eagles. Either Locke has "issues", or he
was buried with no hope on the Eagles
depth chart. Locke runs a sub 4.4
40-time, and was fairly productive at
Kentucky. Available for a look-see right
now.
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