Fantasy News
As I was putting together the writeup on Ahmad Bradshaw (who really impressed me in the postseason last year), I noticed that little running backs appear to be on the decline. Offensive linemen, of course, have gotten bigger and bigger over the years, but this trend also applies to the tailback position, where for the first time there probably will be no sub-200 pounders starting on opening day this year.
There are only nine running backs who ended last season on NFL rosters who weigh under 200 pounds, and most of them aren’t significant guys. Garrett Wolfe, Lorenzo Booker, Shaud Williams, DeDe Dorsey and Darren Sproles (who’s actually more of a kicker returner). I’ll admit that I’ve never heard of Chris Barclay.
Warrick Dunn, who’s been listed at 180 pounds for years but is showing at 187 now, is the only guy under 200 pounds who started a game last year.
Part of this might be semantics. Some of those backs who are listed at 205 pounds are probably actually 10-15 pounds lighter. I think the Lions did that with Barry Sanders. Maybe the player likes to be listed as heavier, making the team think he can do more things. Or maybe the team adds on the extra pounds, trying to make the player appear to be more rugged and durable to opponents.
Regardless, it looks like featured backs under 200 pounds could be virtually extinct within a few years.
Team Player (Ht, Wt)
N.O. Chris Barclay (5-10, 180)
S.D. Darren Sproles (5-6, 181)
Chi. Garrett Wolfe (5-7, 186)
Atl. Warrick Dunn (5-9, 187)
Mia. Lorenzo Booker (5-10, 191)
Buff. Shaud Williams (5-7, 193)
Cin. DeDe Dorsey (5-10, 196)
Ind. Kenton Keith (5-11, 198)
NYG Ahmad Bradshaw (5-9, 198)
--Ian Allan
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