A week ago, most people would have probably made Eddie Lacy the top pick in a rookie dynasty draft. Today it's not even certain he should be the first running back drafted from his own team.
The Broncos, who drafted Montee Ball ahead of Lacy, said they had better medical reports on the Wisconsin runner than the Alabama one. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a Steelers source saying they "wouldn't touch" Lacy due to a toe fusion surgery.
Even the Packers, who selected Lacy, seemingly hedged their bets by drafting Jonathan Franklin two rounds later. Franklin also has feature-back potential and may turn out to be just as good. Draft analysts, for what it's worth, expected Franklin to be selected earlier than he was, and won't be surprised if he turns out as good or better than Lacy.
I'm working on the rookie story right now, and we'll be participating in some rookie drafts in the days and weeks to come. I'll post a mock of my own upcoming rookie dynasty draft later in the week, probably tomorrow.
Prior to the draft, Lacy looked like the consensus top running back, but given the medical concerns we have now, there's some doubt about that. I had some doubts about him even before these recent reports. If I can trade up to 1.1 from my current 1.4 slot, he won't be my top pick.
--Andy Richardson