Where To Draft: Cedric Benson

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 12:00 pm ET


Now here's a real head scratcher of a football player. Came out of Texas with a chip on his shoulder ready to prove to the world he was the best RB in the 2005 draft. His first 4 years in the league were anything but stellar. Averaging 585 yards and 3TD's a season until last year. He ran for over 1200 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns in his career year. He also tossed in 111 receiving yards last season. So what does that all mean for this season?



The enigmatic Benson has had legal trouble in the past as well as this last off season. He says he was sucker punched in a bar, but that doesn't mean the league will look well upon his actions. He seems to put himself in the wrong situations. His coach doesn't think he'll be suspended for this latest incident, but if the league does take action it knocks his fantasy value down some.



The upside of Benson is actually pretty big. He's the solo featured running back in the Bengals offense, a premium in this day and age, and has a large frame which says he can carry the workload. Plus he hasn't had 250+ touches every year for the past 5, on the contrary, he's only had that once, last season. And you saw what he did when given the opportunity. So you have to take into consideration that he'll be fresh and ready to roll again this season.



The Nerd has him ranked as the 12th back in this years draft. It's actually hard for me to argue with that. I want to drop him lower because he's only done it for one year, he's a head case by all accounts, and he is a Bengal after all. But I can't. He's grouped in with other 1 year proven backs like Jamal Charles and Beanie Wells. The only thing I disagree with is I'd take Ryan Grant who's done it for several years over Benson. Grant is ranked one spot lower then Benson and has done it for a longer stretch and is in a better offense, but it feels like I am nitpicking at this point.



I will discount him a little for the legal troubles though so I say he's still a number #2 back, just slides down a little on my draft chart.



Draft position: top 20 back, mid third rounder



A solid #2 RB option in most formats (I can't believe I just wrote that)



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This is a guest post from Andrew Deehr. Andrew has written for FFN before and is one of the brightest fantasy footballers I know consistently winning the majority of his leagues each year.

Join the Discussion

clublorentz CommentedJul 20, 2010 11:00 am

whats your thoughts on if you could pick up two of these WRs

1. B. Marshell

2. M. Austin

3. G. Jennings

4. Roddy White

5. Calvin Johnson



Need advice

adeehr CommentedJul 20, 2010 11:00 am

Marshall is the only one I think could be in for a big down swing. New offense, new QB, a run happy team. So he's off the list.



Calvin is the man in that offense. The other 4 have other recievers that get a lot of play. Austin has Witten, Jennings has Driver and the TE and White has Tony Gonzalez, but he's getting older and less of a factor.



Honestly even though the Lions aren't good, they'll play from behind a lot, means lots of passing so I for sure take Calvin. I also take White as he is the focal point of that offense and will get even better.



Tough choices though.

clublorentz CommentedJul 23, 2010 11:00 am

thanks for the advice seems very logical, here is another one

It looks like I can get D. Williams in the second round, but do I wait a round or two to pick up J. Stewart? I believe they will have stats very close together then I can pick up two sure fire #1 WRs in rounds 2 and 3. I am in a 10 team league, having the #1 overall pick. Going with C. Johnson #1 then want to go back to back WRs in 2 and 3 but didnt know if I should picl up D. Williams in 2 or 3 instead. thanks for the help

all day CommentedJul 29, 2010 11:00 am

if u r picking #1 in a snake draft u will not get deangelo with even your #2pick, also i dont like taking 2 rbs from same team unless 1 is a handcuff which stewart is more than a handcuff. if it were me and i had CJ with #1 i would go wr-wr next 2 rds but thats just my opinion.


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