Faceoff - RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles

Posted 7/26, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Jeff Haseley

If you're looking for a RB that can total over 1500 total yards, reach 70 receptions and score 8-10 TDs, Brian Westbrook is your man (1554 total yards, 70 rec, 9 TD average in hi last 3 years). He plays on a strong offensive team that ranked #2 in total offensive yards in 2006 with 381.4 YPG and 25 points scored per game.

Until last year, Westbrook never broke more than 812 rushing yards in a season. Last season, Westbrook reached 1217 yards rushing. His rise to fame in the NFL is very similar to that of Tiki Barber's.

Tiki Barber's first five seasons in the NFL

• 696 yards rushing per year
• 510 yards receiving per year
• 22 total TDs

Brian Westbrook's first five seasons in the NFL

• 690 yards rushing per year
• 487 yards receiving per year
• 38 total TDs

Tiki Barber went on to never have less than 1216 yards rushing the rest of his career. I find it eerily interesting that Westbrook totaled 1217 yards rushing last season.

Just to give you an indication of how prominent Brian Westbrook was in the Eagles offense in 2006 - Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia totaled 296 completions in 2006. Brian Westbrook had 77 of those completions or 26% - That's 1 in every 4 completions! Eagles' RBs totaled 354 carries in 2006. Westbrook had 240 carries or 68% of the rushing attack. In summary, 26% of all passing completions and 68% of all running plays went to Westbrook. He is clearly the go-to guy in the Eagles offense and with Donte Stallworth lost to New England via free agency, you can bet Westbrook will see equal if not more involvement in the offense in 2007.

The only minus, if you want to call it that, in Westbrook's game as being an elite fantasy running back, is that his career high in TDs in a season is only 11 (accomplished twice in his career in 2003 & 2006). If he can find the end zone more often, which ironically is what Tiki Barber did when he stepped up his game, it will be hard to keep Westbrook out of the top 5 running backs in fantasy points for 2007.

Downside - by David Baker

For a guy who is supposedly too small to be a feature RB in the NFL, Brian Westbrook proved critics wrong over 240 times last year. With almost 1,500 total yards and 11 touchdowns, Westbrook has become a hot commodity in fantasy circles. Westbrook has averaged 9.5 touchdowns over the last four years and this despite missing nine games during that period. But for all the positive news for Westbrook, there are enough red flags that I would hesitate strongly before picking him up as a top five RB.

While Westbrook's numbers last year were laudatory, his production was 25% higher than his previous best and I have doubts whether he can duplicate that activity. He had averaged only 150 carries the previous three seasons and skyrocketed to 240 carries last year. Even if Westbrook remains as healthy as he was last year (where he tied a career-best for games played), the Eagles appear likely to want to give Westbrook a little bit more rest. The signing of RB Correll Buckhalter to a new contract, as well as drafting Tony Hunt, are signs of that. While Westbrook proved he could handle getting significant carries, the team is also aware that his overall value is more important and they don't want to risk overdoing it with Westbrook.

Westbrook, at 5'8 and 200 pounds, is a small RB by NFL standards and his size and style has led to various injuries over the years. He has never played a full 16 game season and he's missed eight games over the last three years. Knee, ankle, torn triceps, it seems that Westbrook has had injuries all over his body and with every hit he takes, his fans do a collective gasp. History dictates that Westbrook misses some time, and there is legitimate risk associated with drafting him. If he's healthy, he'll toss up solid numbers. But with a mid-first rounder, you might want less risk.

Also, Westbrook saw an increase in carries after QB Donovan McNabb was injured. Prior to McNabb's injury, Westbrook averaged less than 15 carries per game. After McNabb's injury, Westbrook averaged 20 carries per game (I tossed out the last regular season where he didn't see much action). With McNabb healthy, that could mean less need for the Eagles to rely on Westbrook.

Brian Westbrook is a terrific player and remains underrated by many in the NFL. His value to the Eagles is tremendous. And there are certainly worse things than having Westbrook on your fantasy roster. But his history of missing games each year scares me and I think his role could be reduced, however slightly, with Donovan McNabb's return, the re-signing of Correll Buckhalter, the drafting of Tony Hunt, and the fact that the Eagles want to do everything they can to have Westbrook healthy come playoff time. Take Westbrook at your own risk in 2007, especially if you're using a high first for him.