Loading ...
Posted by Rob in Fantasy Advice on Jun 24th 2009 and last modified on Jun 28th 2009. (Print This)
Like it or not the touchdown vultures are here to stay in the NFL. The game has become more specialized and running the ball in from 5 yards on out has become a specialty. I can think of some guys who have made careers out of being touchdown vultures, like Mike Alstott. Jerome Bettis towards the end of his career also comes to mind. The modern goal line backs are sometimes hard to find, but the ones that are there every year are easy to identify, think T.J. Duckett, who has made a career out of other people’s scraps. A touchdown vulture will help you in your draft and make excellent bye week replacements, if these guys scamper one inch for a touchdown, they can net you 6 points. Julius Jones could rush 15 times for 60 yards and get you 6 points, see the upside? So without further ado, here is a list of goal line backs to target on draft day.
1. Marion Barber-DAL-I know you say he isn’t a goal line back, but wait and see what the team does with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice before you bash this selection. Barber excels at the goal line and I envision him getting the bulk of carries around it.
2. LenDale White-TEN-It helps that White plays in a run first offense and Chris Johnson shoulders the load. White is adept in short yardage situations and last year 12 of his 15 touchdowns were from inside the 3-yard line. If Johnson leaves any scraps on the table, White is sure to gobble them up, no pun intended.
3. Le’Ron McClain-BAL- Word is he has added 20 pounds of muscle and will be moved back to fullback, his natural position. With the emergence of Ray Rice and the presence of Willis McGahee, McClain will be asked to block, but come goal line time expect him to get the carries.
4. Tim Hightower-ARI-This is a tough call because Chris Wells is 6’1 and 235 pounds and has a nose for the end zone. I think a different situation will pan out though with Wells winning the starting job and Hightower being relegated to goal line duty where he can flex his 2.8 YPC and 10 touchdowns he had last year. Simply put Hightower is not that great unless he is sniffing the goal line.
5. Sammy Morris-NEP-This guy is a beast around the goal line and led the Patriots run attack in touchdowns with 7. Morris is in an ugly situation with so many backs, but you can bet that he will be hovering around the goal line come red-zone time.
6. Rashard Mendenhall-PIT-If he can solve his fumbling issues, he could work himself into a rotation with Willie Parker and get the goal line carries. The best case scenario for Mendenhall owners is that Parker gets the annual injury and a breakout season occurs.
7. T.J. Duckett-SEA-A sure-fire favorite in TD only leagues, Duckett is the ultimate touchdown vulture; he has made a career out of the practice. He had 8 touchdowns last year for the Hawks and now will reunite with Greg Knapp. Knapp knows Duckett better than anyone and his career best 16 touchdowns came under the watch of Knapp while they were both in Atlanta.
8. Peyton Hillis-DEN-The Broncos have a gluttonous amount of backs, but Hillis seems to be the one who is goal line worthy. He is a short yardage monster and knows how to work around the goal line. Look for Denver to move him back to fullback and give him the opportunity to work the red zone.
9. Leonard Weaver-PHI-He now moves to Philly where he will be a lead blocker and used in short yardage situations for the most part. I am expecting Weaver will get some goal line duties as he is a short yardage specialist and also offers a great set of hands, which will benefit the Eagles in the red zone.
10. Jacob Hester-SDC-The Chargers tried to give Hester the back up job to LaDainian Tomlinson but Hester was prone to fumbles. If he can fix that expect San Diego to move him back to fullback where he could vulture some touchdowns out of a high-octane offense.
Be on the lookout for our free fantasy draft kit which will be coming soon. Whether you disagree or agree with these rankings please leave feedback in our comments section on the page. As always if you have questions feel free to contact us and we will answer any fantasy relevant question in a timely manner.