LestersLegends.com

.
The Jacksonville Jaguars can’t be pleased with star running back Maurice Jones-Drew missing the OTAs, but of course their preference is for the team to be united. For the fantasy owner, whose team is constructed of players from a multitude of teams, is this cause for concern?
.
My gut says no.
.
For starters, they are voluntary. Mojo is entering his seventh year in the league and has been a dynamic performer each and every year. He knows what it takes to get ready for the rigors of the season. It’s not like he’s sitting on his couch playing some advanced copy of Madden 13. He is preparing for another season.
.
For the record, the past two years he has not attended OTAs. The past two years (one by choice, one by lockout) he has worked out on his own. Despite knee concerns he combined for 3621 total yards and 18 total touchdowns.
.
Oh, and he managed to run away with the NFL rushing title last year.
.
There aren’t many players with his consistency. Since taking the lead back role, MJD has ran for at least 1324 yards with at least 317 receiving yards. For those of you in PPR leagues, he has had at least 34 catches in those three years as well.
.
Mojo’s touchdown production has gone down from 13.5 TDs/yr over his first four seasons to 9.0/yr over the past two, but that has been more of a function of Jacksonville’s offense rather than an indictment on Jones-Drew. Besides, who’s complaining about a two-year average of 1800+ total yards and nine scores?
.
Mojo is a gamer and is still at the top of his game. If he starts to miss mandatory workouts then you can start to go in panic mode. For right now, just take a deep breath and trust him.
.
That said, if you are in a keeper league and his owner is the panicking type, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire about him.
.
.
Also check out:

• 2012 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Running Backs
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Wide Receivers
• 2012 NFL Draft First Round Skill Players: A Fantasy Perspective

.
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. 
.
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.
.
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).
.
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?

Click here to enter the Best Fantasy Football Team Name Contest for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

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.