The Raiders are kicking the tires on former Jets running back Isaiah Crowell, and they're apparently open to having Marshawn Lynch back, if he's so inclined. I've been holding on to Chris Warren in my main dynasty league. Am I wasting my time?
Warren, some may recall, was an undrafted free agent running back who looked very good for Oakland last preseason. Then he suffered a knee injury that got him placed on IR for the season. But Jon Gruden said, "He'll be a guy worth keeping an eye on next year."
Gruden says a lot of things, many of which can be safely ignored. But Warren led the league in rushing last preseason. Does that production mean anything? Warren was undrafted, but flashed some ability in college at Texas and was a combine invite. (Where he proceeded to run a 4.69; hmm.)
I took a look at preseason rushing numbers from the last 10 years. In the table, all running backs who went over 175 yards in August are shown.
PRESEASON RUSHING LEADERS, 2009-2018 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
2010 | Anthony Dixon | SF | 74 | 300 | 4.1 | 4 |
2018 | Chris Warren | OAK | 58 | 292 | 5.0 | 2 |
2012 | William Powell | ARI | 42 | 249 | 5.9 | 3 |
2014 | Lorenzo Taliaferro | BAL | 65 | 243 | 3.7 | 1 |
2010 | Michael Bennett | OAK | 54 | 236 | 4.4 | 0 |
2011 | Kendall Hunter | SF | 35 | 231 | 6.6 | 1 |
2013 | Khiry Robinson | NO | 49 | 228 | 4.7 | 0 |
2016 | Mack Brown | WAS | 39 | 227 | 5.8 | 1 |
2018 | Ryan Nall | CHI | 32 | 223 | 7.0 | 1 |
2013 | Jordan Todman | JAC | 29 | 223 | 7.7 | 2 |
2016 | Derrick Henry | TEN | 34 | 216 | 6.4 | 3 |
2013 | Joseph Randle | DAL | 55 | 215 | 3.9 | 1 |
2011 | Da'Rel Scott | NYG | 14 | 213 | 15.2 | 2 |
2014 | Joe Banyard | MIN | 36 | 212 | 5.9 | 0 |
2014 | Rashad Jennings | NYG | 35 | 212 | 6.1 | 1 |
2012 | Rashad Jennings | JAC | 47 | 209 | 4.4 | 0 |
2012 | Nate Eachus | KC | 34 | 206 | 6.1 | 1 |
2013 | Christine Michael | SEA | 40 | 201 | 5.0 | 1 |
2010 | Cedric Peerman | CIN | 31 | 201 | 6.5 | 3 |
2016 | Rob Kelley | WAS | 38 | 198 | 5.2 | 1 |
2018 | John Kelly | LA | 46 | 197 | 4.3 | 3 |
2018 | Mike Boone | MIN | 49 | 195 | 4.0 | 1 |
2016 | Elijhaa Penny | ARI | 49 | 195 | 4.0 | 1 |
2014 | Andre Williams | NYG | 38 | 195 | 5.1 | 2 |
2012 | Alfred Morris | WAS | 39 | 195 | 5.0 | 1 |
2011 | Armond Smith | CLE | 31 | 192 | 6.2 | 2 |
2017 | Corey Grant | JAX | 22 | 191 | 8.7 | 1 |
2014 | Jeremy Hill | CIN | 41 | 190 | 4.6 | 0 |
2011 | Ryan Mathews | SD | 24 | 187 | 7.8 | 2 |
2012 | Justin Forsett | HOU | 29 | 185 | 6.4 | 2 |
2015 | Zach Zenner | DET | 35 | 183 | 5.2 | 2 |
2010 | Jonathan Dwyer | PIT | 39 | 183 | 4.7 | 1 |
2017 | Cameron Artis-Payne | CAR | 28 | 180 | 6.4 | 3 |
2010 | Jackie Battle | KC | 35 | 180 | 5.1 | 1 |
2014 | Fozzy Whittaker | CAR | 43 | 179 | 4.2 | 2 |
2013 | David Wilson | NYG | 24 | 179 | 7.5 | 1 |
2015 | Jarryd Hayne | SF | 25 | 175 | 7.0 | 0 |
2011 | Jonathan Dwyer | PIT | 37 | 175 | 4.7 | 1 |
I see a handful of players from the list who went on to have significant seasons, if not careers. Alfred Morris stands out as a guy who caught our eye in the preseason and went on to have some good years. Another Washington back, Rob Kelley, also had his moments.
There are also some early picks who did well in August and continued when the games counted. Jeremy Hill, Derrick Henry, Ryan Mathews. It happens.
I don't think there's enough there to say Warren is a must-hold in dynasty. And if Oakland does bring back Lynch, or sign Crowell, it will be even tougher for him to make an impact. For now, I'm hanging onto him. But if some other young runner turns my head in August and I need the spot, he might end up back on the wire.
--Andy Richardson