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RB Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots

HT: 5-8, WT: 200, Born: 6-5-1976, College: LSU, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: R Meachem (186), M Muhammad (187), Kevin Faulk (188), D Rhodes (189), L Sweed (190)
Position: C Williams (178-RB61), C Benson (180-RB62), Kevin Faulk (188 - RB63), D Rhodes (189-RB64), M Bush (191-RB65)
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Best Case

Faulk is at the point in his career where he serves as a passing down and third down specialist. There would have to be a mountain of running back injuries for Faulk to see extensive carries, but he still should see a good number of receptions in the Patriots high-flying offense. He has more value to the Patriots than to most fantasy teams, as he has a knock for eking out improbable but vital third downs and picking up blitzers to save Tom Brady's behind. A repeat of last year is probably the best he could hope for at 32 years old.

Worst Case

Last year was the first time since the 2000 season that Faulk was healthy and available every week. He has been one of New England's most unheralded players, but the Pats have to start considering someone to replace him, as he is reaching an age where running backs frequently start having diminished skills. Laurence Maroney showed last year that he is capable of making big plays in the passing game, averaging 29 yards per reception in limited use.

Outlook

Faulk will likely hover near the top-50 running backs in standard fantasy leagues. He won't see a lot of carries, should again catch a few dozen passes, and will score a few touchdowns along the way. His upside is limited, as there are not many scenarios in which Faulk will see the ball extensively. He is a great NFL role player but has limited upside fantasy potential.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Faulk saw one target, which was good for a nine yard gain. He also rushed once for four yards.

Week 2 - Faulk had one carry for four yards, caught one pass for nine yards, and uncharacteristically dropped a catchable first down pass that hurt Brady's efficiency.

Week 3 - Faulk had 54 total yards on two rushing attempts and five receptions. On 4th and seven in the 2nd quarter, Faulk was stopped inches on short of converting the 1st down on a reception.

Faulk was QB Tom Brady's favorite target out of the backfield and he was featured on 3rd down extensively.

Week 4 - Faulk started the game for the Patriots with the injury of RB Laurence Maroney, but RB Sammy Morris would get the bulk of the carries in this game. Faulk caught a short pass in the middle of the field and ran for a 23 yard gain on the first drive of the game. He would not get a carry in the first half but did add another reception for eight more yards. Faulk would get a few carries in the second half. He gained 14 yards on his second carry of the game late in the third quarter. He would add another eight yards on two carries and another two more receptions for 16 yards. Faulk's role didn't change much with Maroney out of the line-up.

Week 5 - Faulk was again the third down back but only caught one pass in this game. He also carried three times for six yards.

Week 6 - Faulk took over to lead the Patriots in rushing after Sammy Morris left the game with an injury. All 13 of his attempts were in the second half. He also hauled in three passes, including an 18 yard catch and run.

Week 7 - Faulk, like the rest of the Patriots' running backs, was quiet in the victory over the Miami Dolphins. Faulk was mostly used in spread formations including shotgun early in the game but with the success of the passing game, QB Tom Brady had little need to check down to his reliable receiving back.

Week 8 - Faulk had a great game. He was Brady's second favorite target, and also finished second on the team in receptions and yardage. Brady found him frequently as a quick check down out of the backfield.

Week 9 - Faulk chipped in with seven rushes for 29 yards on the ground, and added three receptions for 20 yards through the air, including a 13 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game winner.

Week 11 - Faulk was slow to get up after apparently falling on the ball in the second quarter. He did not return.

Week 12 - In spite of only getting two rushing attempts in the contest, Faulk was involved in the passing game as six passes were thrown his way. He took his first catch down to Philadelphia's one yard line and he followed that up with receptions of nine and 12 yards.

Week 13 - Faulk had more success than Maroney did and got playing time in the fourth quarter because of it. He made a huge play to prevent Baltimore from scoring before the first half ended by causing Ed Reed to fumble after he intercepted Tom Brady.

Week 14 - Faulk and the rest of the New England running backs were basically spectators in their team's win over the Pittsburgh Steeler. The Patriots threw the ball all game long despite leading for most of it, and Faulk was only target three times as the stable of skilled receivers for New England took control of the game in the second half.

Week 15 - Faulk spelled Maroney during periods of the game and proved to be a good compliment, rushing four times for 20 yards, and bringing in all three of his looks for 19 yards.

Week 16 - Faulk filled his normal role as a third down running back and short passing target for QB Tom Brady. He was stopped short of the first down on third and one early in the game and the Patriots were forced to punt.

Week 17 - Kevin Faulk carried the ball only twice for negative two yards in the game, but as usual managed to find a way to make an impact in the passing game, catching all eight of his targets for 64 yards. Brady looked to Faulk frequently underneath as his primary check down option, and Faulk continuously made something out of nothing to keep the Patriot quarterback out of trouble.

Week 19 - Faulk performed his role as the third down back solidly. He was more effective catching the ball out of the backfield, and was able to gain a few yards after catching the ball.

Week 20 - Faulk was, without question, the offensive star of the game for the Patriots. Not only did he lead the team in both receptions and yardage, but it was the timing of those plays that was so crucial. There are so many weapons in the New England stable that it's difficult to ensure every player is covered at all times. In this game, the player who slipped that coverage more often than not was Faulk. It wasn't that the Chargers didn't account for him; it's just that he ran away from whoever was on him. He nearly scored early in the second quarter off a quick pass inside but was taken down at the one yard line (Maroney scored on the next play). But he really saved his best for last. With the Patriots trying to protect a 21-12 lead and 7:16 remaining in the game, New England faced a third and eleven from their own 24 yard line. QB Tom Brady lofted a pass in the flat to Faulk, who made a spectacular lunging grab for the football and just got past the first down marker to pick up the necessary yardage. Two minutes later, the Patriots faced a third and three situation and again Brady looked to Faulk. The pass was thrown well behind Faulk, but he lunged back and made an extremely difficult fingertip grab, cradled the ball in, and took off upfield for 14 crucial yards. If not for those two huge third down conversions, the Chargers would have gotten the ball back with a good amount of time remaining. It's obviously unknown if they would have scored or not, but Faulk made sure no one will ever know with his remarkable catches.

Week 21 - Faulk was primarily used as a receiver like usual. He had one rush for seven yards, but was used almost exclusively in shotgun sets for blocking and receiving. He caught seven of the nine balls thrown his way, but dropped one ball on the night which would have likely led to a first down. He was able to make many defenders miss which helped up his yardage total to 52 yards on the night.