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Obviously the NFL season, assuming there will be one, is a long time away. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have football on your mind, especially those of you in keeper leagues. While you’re deciding who to keep or while you are entertaining trade proposals, there is a trio of running backs that have recently announced that they are healthy and preparing for the upcoming season. 
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Ahmad Bradshaw, who had his ankle scoped, is healthy and has his burst back. He told Zach Berman that he can “fly” after the procedure. He’s still an injury risk heading into the season, but his owners can rest a little easier. Bradshaw had 1549 total yards (1235 rushing) and eight touchdowns.
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Jahvid Best also has his burst back now that his turf toe has had time to heal. He’s been working at Nike Camp to get ready for the season. He’s hungry, tweeting “Someone please end this madness… I’m ready to go back to WORK!” Best got off to fast start scoring five touchdowns in the first two weeks before the injuries hit. He was never quite the same. If he can avoid the injury bug, he is explosive enough to play like a top 15 fantasy running back. Best finished with 1042 total yards (555 rushing) and six touchdowns (four rushing).
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Maurice Jones-Drew is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery. Mojo scared some owners off because of the knee injury last year, but he was able to play through it and pile up 1641 total yards (1324 rushing) and seven touchdowns (five rushing). Mojo should be a nice value pick next year going after the likes of Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Michael Turner.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The job of backup RB for the Jaguars was a lot like being the backup Vikings QB last year. There was not a lot of activity after Maurice Jones-Drew (312 carries) and David Garrard (77 carries) had their say. After the 363 touches that MoJo endured last year, one would imagine that the Jags would like to reduce his workload some in 2010.

That should play right into the hands of Rashard Jennings, a 6’1, 235 lb second year back. Jennings did not get a lot of work last year, but made the most of his opportunities by running for 5.2 yards per carry (39 carries for 202 yards). He also caught 16 passes for 101 yards and had a rushing TD.

Jennings will get some competition from rookie Deji Karim, but Karim is probably better suited for third-down duty at 5’9″, 209 lbs. Karim has blazing 4.37 speed and should serve as a change of pace back. Jennings would be more suited to carry the load if MJD went down. Even though MoJo is basically a sure thing at the stripe, Jennings could steal some of his short TDs.

Jennings has an ADP of 256 according to Mock Draft Central, which puts him as the fourth pick in the 22nd round, meaning he’s likely to go undrafted in most fantasy leagues. While I wouldn’t recommend stashing him on your bench, I would suggest keeping an eye on Jennings to see what kind of playing time he’s getting.  If nothing else he should get more work in than last year.

Prediction:  500 total yards (375 rushing), 4 TDs

What do you expect from Rashad Jennings?

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The Jaguars could have the steepest drop-off from their top fantasy option to their other options.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Moderate
The Jags take on the Raiders (home), Colts (away), and Redskins (home). The schedule looks very promising for Maurice Jones-Drew. The passing game could really struggle though.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Maurice Jones-Drew – Mojo had no problem assuming the role as primary ball carrier with Fred Taylor moving on to New England. He had 1765 total yards (1391 rushing) and 16 TDs (15 rushing). There is a case to take him #1 overall with Chris Johnson’s potential holdout and Adrian Peterson’s fumbling issues.

Four Star Fantasy Options
None

Three Star Fantasy Options
None

Two Star Fantasy Options
Mike Sims-Walker – Sims-Walker had a solid season with 63 catches for 869 yards and 7 TDs. He has good size and speed, but will need help, be it from his receiver mates or creative play calling, to keep him effective. He failed to top 64 yards the final six games. In fact, he only had 175 yards in those games (29.2 ypg).

Marcedes Lewis – Lewis had an excellent yard per catch average (16.2). Still, with 518 yards last year he makes for a solid backup fantasy TE.

One Star Fantasy Options
David Garrard – Garrard is simply not a good fantasy QB. His career highs in passing yards (3620) and TDs (18) just don’t translate into a quality fantasy QB. He has ran for 300+ yards in each of the past two seasons, but there is zero upside to Garrard. His home-road splits are ridiculous. 
- Home:  2019 yards, 12 TD,  5 INTs
- Away:  1578 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTs

Mike Thomas – Thomas showed some flashes last year, and while he managed at least 52 yards on six occasions, he never topped 65 yards. Plus, he had just 1 TD.

Jaguars Defense/Special Teams – They have some good match-ups with Buffalo (Week 5), Kansas City (7), Cleveland (11), and Oakland (14). They had just 14 sacks and 15 INTs last year though. They are no more than a spot start.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

So Michael Vick will be able to play in Week 3, which seems like an adequate punishment considering the amount of time he already lost.  I’m not going to say money too, because if he didn’t break the law, he’d still be rolling in the dough.  I’m not going to pity someone for their own stupidity.  Vick has been a trendy last round pick in fantasy drafts.  If you’re just taking him for laughs and plan on dropping him for a Kicker, which to me is what the last round of fantasy drafts are reserved for, then I’m on board with you.  If you’re holding out hope that he’s going to make a fantasy impact this year, let me remind you that he barely had fantasy value when he was at the height of his career.  He’s not going to run for a ton of yards, which is what game him value.  He’s certainly not going to throw for a lot.  You’re basically hoping for some rushing TDs.  Unless he gains RB or WR eligibility in your fantasy league, he’s not even useful as a flex player.

David Clowney had a nice game for the Jets with 108 receiving yards, thanks to a 73-yard TD.  He’ll still be the Jets #3 WR so don’t get too excited.  Danny Woodhead had 158 yards on 18 carries (8.8 ypc) with 2 TDs.  Get in line though Woodhead.  The Jets are loaded at RB.

Maurice Jones-Drew left the Jags’ preseason game against Washington with a leg injury.  My question is why is your starting RB and best weapon even playing in the final preseason game?  Come on Del Rio.  You’re better than that.

It used to be all that Chris Henry did was get in trouble.  He’s seemed to put that nonsense behind him.  Now all he does is catch TDs.  Maybe he can give Pacman or Brandon Marshall a call.  Scratch that, Pacman is a lost cause.

Hakeem Nicks was a big play thread again with a 64-yard TD.  He’s left with a hip injury.  Hopefully it’s not serious.  Sinorice Moss must have felt the heat as he turned in a strong performance with 2 catches for 35 yards.  Both of his receptions were TDs. 

Benjarvus Green-Ellis made his case for a role in the Patriots rushing attack with 125 yards on 29 carries with 3 TDs.  He showed some versatily with four catches for 22 yards.  Sammy Morris could be the odd man out.

Vince Young played well again.  He’s not likely to take Kerry Collins job barring injury, but I’d like to see him get his life and career back on track.

Steve Slaton owners must have lost some of their swagger when they heard today’s news.  Turns out Chris Brown is taking over the goal line duties.  He’ll still get a ton of yardage, and receptions for you PPR players, but if he’s not reaching paydirt, he’s not really a legit RB1.

Image Courtesy of Icon SMI

Maurice Jones-Drew finally gets a chance to prove that he can be an NFL feature back.  Given what he’s done in a somewhat limited role, the fantasy world is salivating at the thought of what he could do in an expanded role.  Naturally there is some risk in taking a player who has never had 200 carries in a season, but that can be viewed as a plus since he hasn’t put on a lot of mileage.  Despite his 5’7″ stature he is quite durable.  That’s because he packs 208 pounds of muscle on that frame.  He is a bowling ball with great moves and quickness.  What’s more impressive is his nose for the end zone.  Mojo has 40 TDs (34 rushing, 4 receiving, 2 return) in his three years.  He also is extremely gifted at catching the ball out of the backfield.  He has had 40+ receptions every year, including a career high 62 last year.  He should benefit greatly from a healthy Offensive Line, which was the main reason behind Jacksonville’s disappointing 2008 season.

This year Jacksonville has some nice matchups agaist Arizona in Week 2, St. Louis in Week 6, Kansas City in Week 9, and Cleveland in Week 17, which doesn’t help most fantasy owners.  His fantasy playoff schedule consists of Miami, Indianapolis, and New England, which is less than desirable.  Of course a RB with MJD’s versatility has the ability to produce against anyone.

Mo-Jo will likely go in the top three picks in most league, perhaps #1 overall in PPR leagues.  I fully expect him to meet his lofty expectations.  I’m putting him on 2000 total yards with 14 total TDs.