Faceoff - RB Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders

Posted 7/25, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Sigmund Bloom

Justin Fargas is the Rodney Dangerfield of RBs. He gets no respect from Al Davis, who spent the #4 overall pick on another running back, Darren McFadden, after giving Fargas a contract extension in the offseason. He gets no respect from the fantasy football community, who apparently sees him as a backup running back now even though he's still officially starting. One important person is giving Fargas respect -- head coach Lane Kiffin -- and that's why you should give him some respect in your fantasy draft.

Fargas was another classic example of a wishful thinking Raiders draft pick of an athlete who had to learn how to be a football player. After four years filled with injuries and runs up the backs of his blockers, most of us had given up on Fargas. The Raiders might have too if it wasn't for poorly conditioned LaMont Jordan dropping off a cliff after week 6, opening the door for a new look Fargas to take advantage of the lanes opened up by Greg Knapp's zone blocking scheme in Oakland. Fargas had finally learned to run with his head up and make the subtle cuts necessary to find daylight. The outstanding athleticism that earned Fargas the "workout warrior" label for Fargas while he struggled through his early career was now an asset.

Fargas ended up averaging over 100 total yards a game in his final eight contests, with four TDs and almost as many receptions as he had in his entire career up to that point. He was rewarded with a three year, 12 million dollar deal, with six million guaranteed. The Raiders also rewarded him by drafting speed merchant Darren McFadden to share the backfield.

That's right, share, not replace. Head coach Lane Kiffin said Fargas was the best runner by far in regards to decision-making and execution after OTAs, and Darren McFadden was seen moving around the formation, lining up wide, and even at QB. The reasonable conclusion is that Fargas will be used like Deuce McAllister to McFadden's Reggie Bush. The Raiders were one of only four teams to run the ball over 500 times last year, and that's likely to stay the same with young QB JaMarcus Russell taking the reins. That means there's wiggle room for at least 200 carries for Fargas, if not more. Fargas' rank around RB40 would lead you to believe he's McFadden's backup, but that's just not true. Fargas is worth a 6th-8th round pick as a quality RB depth, and he could end up in your lineup more than you expect.

Downside - by Mark Wimer

Teams don't spend high first round selections on running backs to leave them cooling their heels on the bench. Darren McFadden was selected 4th this past April, and he will be fed the ball early and often in Oakland. Justin Fargas was signed to a 3 year, $12 million deal during the offseason that pays a guaranteed $6 million this season - but he's not being paid the type of money that McFadden will command given his draft slot. Fargas is the backup in this RB stable, and has been since April 26th.

Additionally, Fargas has put up exactly one decent season during his 5 year career (last year's 222/1009/4 rushing and 23/188/0 receiving effort). At his best, Fargas was a borderline RB2 in fantasy terms - while being the featured runner for Oakland. 4 TDs out of 222 carries doesn't exactly translate to a lot of fantasy upside, folks. He is a valuable player who provides veteran depth for the Raiders, but he simply doesn't have top-shelf NFL skills. The team wouldn't have added Michael Bush via the draft in 2007 and then Darren McFadden in 2008 if they believed Fargas was the guy who should be featured in the Oakland rushing attack.

Finally, given the ongoing woes of free agent WR Javon Walker and the fact that green-as-grass JaMarcus Russell is going to be the starting QB come September, it is highly likely that whoever runs the ball for Oakland will face a lot of stacked lines and defensive schemes with 8 men in the box - there simply isn't going to be a lot of room to roam unless and until Russell proves his is a bona-fide NFL starter. The jury is still out on whether Russell will be able to accomplish the big step up to the NFL level in his second season playing professional football. In short, it is very likely that the entire Oakland offense will struggle for much of the season, making any skill position player on this squad less attractive than those on other, more established units.

Justin Fargas may be on McFadden owners' wish lists late in fantasy drafts, but he shouldn't be on anyone else's' lists this year.