Faceoff - RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

Posted 7/20, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Sigmund Bloom

Once you get to the ninth or 10th round, you've filled out your starting lineup and used a pick or two for depth to buttress a position that might have suffered in your first five or six picks because of runs or bad draft luck. At this point, it's time to look for high upside players. Players that you will want in your lineup if everything comes together, as opposed players that will just be solid depth. LeSean McCoy is exactly that kind of fantasy running back this year.

The Eagles finally addressed life after Westbrook in the second round this year, spending a pick on the dynamic runner out of Pitt. He's got the quickness, speed, low center of gravity, and pass-catching ability to make for a seamless transition from the Westbrook era once the veteran finally breaks down. What they didn't know is that life after (or at least with less) Westbrook was right around the corner. Or did they? The Eagles already saw Westbrook have offseason surgery on his left knee in February. Westbrook's ankle surgery was apparently brought about by an aggravation of an injury to the ankle during a workout - so they had to be aware of the potential for another surgery since the problem pre-existed the workout. Westbrook had the ankle surgery in June, a sign that the bone spurs were bad enough that they surgery was absolutely necessary.

That opens the door to opportunity for first team snaps in training camp, and playing time in the regular season, even if Westbrook's two surgically repaired joints hold up. We're used to Westbrook missing a game or two every season, but he has the potential to miss even more time this year. McCoy should split first team reps with Lorenzo Booker in training camp, a player that has only disappointed during his time with the Eagles after they traded a fourth round pick for him during the 2008 draft. McCoy should have no problem passing him on the depth chart.

Correll Buckhalter showed exactly how much value Westbrook's backup can have last year when he averaged almost 20 fantasy points a game in Westbrook's absence. Westbrook has never played in all 16 games in any season of his career, so if you take McCoy, you know you'll be getting an RB1 for at least one or two weeks during the season. You can also cash McCoy in through a trade to Westbrook's owner as valuable injury insurance down the stretch, something they will acutely feel the need for after Westbrook inevitably misses time. If Westbrook does miss significant time, you've stumbled onto an RB1 for a significant part of the season, because we know the situation is plum and McCoy is talented enough to maximize it. Taking McCoy in the ninth or 10th round is a win-win-win situation, and he presents a lot more value than most of the running backs going around the same time.

Downside - by Jeff Haseley

What can we expect from rookie RB LeSean McCoy in his first year in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles? The answer to that revolves around the health of the Eagles feature RB, Brian Westbrook. If Westbrook is healthy and shows no signs of a decline - we're probably looking at a ceiling of 120 touches at the absolute most. If Westbrook's string of knee and ankle injuries cause his game to decline, we could see McCoy on the field a whole lot more - upwards of 225-300 touches. That's a big difference and it's primary reason behind his current ADP of the late ninth, early tenth round (12 team re-draft leagues).

McCoy has the ability to be a productive back in the NFL, but it may take at least one year for him to move up the Eagles depth charts as long as Brian Westbrook is healthy. Here's a few reasons to think he may not reach the NFL limelight for at least another year.

• In the Brian Westbrook era (since 2003), no other Eagles RB has finished with a RB ranking higher than 47th (Correll Buckhalter's 2008 season). In other words, Westbrook has dominated yardage, playing time and scoring chances. No other Eagles RB has come close to being a weekly fantasy starter, unless they are replacing Westbrook in the lineup. The success of any Eagles RB is squarely dependent on the health and availability of Brian Westbrook.
• HC Andy Reid is not one to rely on rookie RBs - In the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia, only one rookie RB under his watch has exceeded more than 55 carries in his rookie season and it wasn't Westbrook. Correll Buckhalter in 2001 had 129 carries for 586 yards and 2 TDs as a rookie.
• Don't forget about Lorenzo Booker and Leonard Weaver - Right now Booker is getting more reps in practice with the first team than McCoy. It's not a huge cause for concern, but both Booker and newly signed fullback and pass-catching specialist Leonard Weaver figure to play a role in the offense this year. Reid likes players with experience. If McCoy and his two years of college football experience struggle to learn the intricacies of the RB position, i.e pass blocking, protecting the QB, down field blocking and special teams, the Eagles do have other options while McCoy learns the ropes.
• He has small hands - size 8 7/8 inches to be exact. That's considered to be small and below average for an NFL RB. McCoy is known as a good pass-catching back, but when bigger, quicker linebackers are trying to strip the ball loose, that can't be a feather in his cap.

McCoy has some factors against him from the get go. Historically, Andy Reid does not like to use rookie RBs in his offensive game plan. He has a big obstacle in Brian Westbrook in his way and he has only two years of college football experience under his belt. McCoy may be a good dynasty selection, but unless you use him as a Westbrook handcuff in re-draft leagues, he probably won't have a lot of value in 2009. He's a great RB4 to have as a Westbrook handcuff in the tenth round or later (12-team redraft), but don't draft him expecting big results in his first year in the league.