Is LeSean McCoy Still Elite?

The addition of Ronnie Brown to the Eagle backfield leaves some interesting questions concerning LeSean McCoy’s fantasy value in standard leagues.

Analysis: LeSean McCoy is still being taken as the sixth back off the board in standard league mock drafts as if Ronnie Brown signed up for five carries a game. Ronnie Brown is a quality back who may get injured often but is still just twenty-nine years old. Brown has averaged 4.3 yards per carry for his career despite never having the threat of a passing attack in Miami. The 230 pound Brown will take away goal line carries from McCoy who only had nine total touchdowns of his own last year. McCoy as a top six back is questionable in standard leagues at this point when considering he barely hit 1,000 yards on the ground last year despite averaging an unsustainable 5.2 yards per carry. McCoy was on the end of 207 carries last year and if Brown stays healthy do not expect “Shady” to sniff 185 carries this year. In PPR leagues it may be a different story but in standard leagues McCoy cannot be relied upon for double digit touchdowns or 200 carries in the pass happy Philly offense. He’s still a RB1 but he certainly isn’t a top eight back in standard leagues anymore.

Draft Impact- Daniel Thomas

Many experts are already tagging Miami’s new running back as a fantasy star, but is he?

Analysis: The Dolphins will not start the 2011 season with Daniel Thomas as their primary back so these “experts” will have to back off of their claims (eventually). The Dolphins will try to resign Ronnie Brown although it may be a lost cause. DeAngelo Williams remains on the market as well as guys like Cedric Benson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Ahmad Bradshaw as well as RFA Mike Tolbert and Willis McGahee when he refuses to take a pay cut. In short, there are plenty of viable running backs on the market and the Dolphins must sign one of them. Miami ran the ball the eleventh most times last year but only managed a 3.7 yards per carry average, second worst in the NFL. The Dolphins turned Brandon Marshall from a 10 touchdown, 101 reception receiver into a 3 touchdown, 86 reception low end WR2. Do you really think Thomas will step in and become the best fantasy rookie? I thought not. “Experts” can say all they want about how Daniel Thomas will be the best rookie this year now but when the chips fall and he continues struggling with pass protection and blitz pick up and Miami sign a legit back they’ll have a new flavor of the week to drool over.

Projection: It doesn’t matter who the other running back will be for Miami, Daniel Thomas will not be their primary back this year. The fifth running back off the board in this year’s draft isn’t going to make a run first team who averaged the second worst yards per carry in the NFL last year any better. Expect 140 carries and nothing more.