Faceoff - Name a Sleeper Backup RB.

Posted 8/12, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Mewelde Moore - by Jason Wood

Mewelde Moore was an unsung hero for the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and yet unlike so many players who parlay a Super Bowl title into overhype and unreasonable expectations, Moore finds himself yet again off the fantasy radar.

As I write this, Moore isn't among the Top 60 RBs according to our staff rankings and isn't being drafted among the top 240 players according to mock draft ADP data. While I can understand the reluctance to expect monster numbers from Moore, I do think he's worth consideration as a late round flier and backup to Willie Parker.

Last season many fantasy owners targeted rookie Rashard Mendenhall as the handcuff to Willie Parker, and by all accounts that was the right decision. But Mendenhall got hurt and that opened the door for Moore to see some time. When Willie Parker also got hurt, Moore got starter's minutes and flourished.

In the four games where Moore got at least 20 touches, his numbers were impressive:

• 80 rushes
• 360 yards rushing
• 5 TDs
• 16 receptions
• 89 yards receiving
• 1 receiving TD

Pro rate those numbers of a full 16-game season and you've got a fantasy stud:

• 360 rushes
• 1,440 yards rushing
• 10 TDs
• 32 receptions
• 178 yards receiving
• 2 receiving TDs

Now, let's be fair, those numbers don't mean much if Willie Parker is healthy and Rashard Mendenhall lives up to his considerable hype. But we've learned by now that NFL injuries abound and among backups that can be had in the last rounds of your draft, I can't fathom someone more compelling and PROVEN than Moore. He's not a RB that needs to be a priority, but if you're looking to fill out your roster, Moore deserves your attention.

T.J. Duckett - by Andy Hicks

Opportunity is one of the most important things when it comes to evaluating a backup running back. Lesser backs in a good situation are generally more valuable than a better player in an offense with a 3-down starter or a back in a poor offense. T.J. Duckett is a backup that will go unnoticed by many a fantasy owner and this is where a smart person can use a late round pick to get a player that will offer consistent TD production as a downside and starting quality as his upside.

Much is made of T.J Duckett and his 2.8 yards a carry in 2008, which look even worse taking out the one game where he recorded over 10 carries. Take that game out and he had 43 carries for 93 yards, but those stats are misleading. For the whole season 25 of Duckett's 62 carries were where one yard was required for either a first down or a touchdown. He converted 22 of these. Converting 88% of 1-yard conversions will definitely be noticed by a coaching staff, if not by the fantasy community. Six of his eight TDs were at the 1-yard line and the other two were at the 2-yard line and the 4-yard line. These eight carries alone registered only 12 yards. His performance at the goal line was phenomenal and anyone doubting he at least gets that job in 2009 needs to reevaluate. In the one game he saw more than 10 carries he registered 79 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns. With the departure of Maurice Morris and a beefed up running game, Duckett is very likely to see more carries enhancing his value to be more than just a goal line back.

Duckett has an established relationship with new Seattle head coach Jim Mora & new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp from their time in Atlanta. Duckett registered at least eight TDs and over 100 carries in each season there. In Atlanta Warrick Dunn was the starter and Michael Vick was a significant running threat. Here Julius Jones is his only real competition. Knapp is known for predominantly running the ball so it's logical to presume that the Seattle running game should improve massively on its low ranking from 2008. Knapp has ALWAYS produced a top 10 running game in his eight years as an offensive coordinator and produced a top 5 running game in six of his eight seasons. There will be a back or two on the Seattle roster who'll definitely reap rewards. With the current choices being Julius Jones, who struggles with any kind of workload, a bunch of unproven or undrafted backs like Justin Forsett and Devin Moore and T.J. Duckett who is trusted by his coaches, is an excellent short yardage and has proven in the past that he can handle a workload then it's quite probable that Duckett will easily play above his draft slot and be great value for those who invest.

Ladell Betts - by Jeff Tefertiller

Ladell Betts is one of a small number of backs that are available very late in drafts and possess Top 10 upside. We so easily forget how Betts finished as RB 10 when Clinton Portis was lost to injury in 2006. Betts started nine games that year and toted the ball 245 times for 1,154 yards. Betts ran hard and improved with the increased carries. It was a productive season. He had six 100-yard games down the stretch. Add up the numbers and they were good for a Top 10 season. There are no other backs on the Redskin roster that pose a threat to Betts' role, so another injury to Portis would make Betts an every-week fantasy starter.

The Redskin coaching staff has repeatedly stated how they want to reduce the number of carries for Portis. Why would the coaches want to reduce carries of their stud back? Because of two reasons: Portis wore down badly last season and has had enough career touches to make him a great candidate for injury. Portis has carried the ball 342 and 325 times respectively the last two seasons. This is a ton of carries for a back coming off of the 2006 injury. Further, Portis has a total of 2,285 career touches. While he has been uber-productive, there may not be much tread left on his tires. Betts has the talent and ability to take advantage of any opportunity, whether for a week or a stretch of games.

The Redskins will need to run the ball often in order to compete in the ultra-competitive NFC East. Jason Campbell tailed off considerably as the season progressed. With Portis and Campbell tanking down the stretch, the Redskins saw their playoff hopes go out the window. The Redskins will need Campbell to play better to have a shot at the playoffs. A solid running game will help. The offensive line could be an issue all season.

Betts has an unbelievable ADP (Average Draft Position) of RB63 and player 216 overall. For a guy available so late in fantasy drafts, Betts offers crazy value as a fantasy RB6. This ADP does not incorporate the reported increased workload or the likelihood of a Portis injury. His ADP should be around RB50. Betts has the ability and can be a fantasy starter if called up to start.

Betts is almost 30 years old, but has only 720 career carries. He is a lottery ticket late in fantasy drafts. Betts is more than merely a handcuff to Portis. His upside is high enough to warrant holding all season just for the chance to cash in. Even if you do not get the chance to draft Betts, keep an eye on the waiver wire. He is a player that may be dropped by impatient leaguemates. For such a low investment, the upside for Ladell Betts is immense.