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RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

HT: 5-8, WT: 199, Born: 1-22-1987, College: Rutgers, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Average draft position

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

Overall: L Betts (161), D Bennett (162), Ray Rice (163), K Jones (165)
Position: D Ward (155-RB52), L Betts (161-RB53), Ray Rice (163 - RB54), K Jones (165-RB55), W Dunn (166-RB56)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

In a best case scenario for rookie Ray Rice, he wins the camp battle with P.J. Daniels for the backup RB spot, starting RB Willis McGahee becomes injured or ineffective, and Rice is inserted into the starting lineup. If he then produces as well as McGahee produced in 2007, his draft value would be through the roof. Ray Rice's running style and ability are very similar to McGahee. On a pure talent/opportunity formula, if he were pressed into service in place of McGahee, the sky is the limit.

Worst Case

If Rice is unable to beat out P.J. Daniels for the immediate backup RB spot, his opportunity for playing time diminishes. Moreover, the team is likely to lose stalwart OT Jonathan Ogden. Rice is not a breakaway threat, so he does not really provide much of a change of pace from McGahee. Since he does not provide as much of a change, he might not spell McGahee as often as Daniels. Plus, as is the case with all rookie RBs, a few errors in picking up blitzers, or being a bit slow in picking up the speed of the NFL game, can earn a lot of first-year bench time.

Outlook

The Ravens are likely to run the ball a ton in 2008. Especially if fellow rookie Joe Flacco wins the starting job, the team will want to protect against inexperienced QB play. To do that, the team's rush attempts are likely to increase in 2008. Behind McGahee for 16 games, expect Rice to warrant somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 touches. McGahee owners may want to consider drafting him a bit above his ADP as insurance, and all owners should consider adding him as a RB4/5 with significant upside potential.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule