Could Rudi face competition?

# 25. Bengals backup RB: Kenny Watson vs. Kenny Irons

Must resist lame South Park joke. Irons was drafted to replace Chris Perry, who is likely to start the year on the PUP list. First Irons will have to pass Watson as the team’s third-down back. Smart money is on the rookie. Watson is a serviceable reserve who helps on special teams, but the Bengals would rather he not have to carry a big load.

In fact, there are some that believe Irons could challenge Rudi. I don’t that will happen until later in the season, but Marvin Lewis has mentioned on his top priorities is improving the team’s yards-per-carry. If Rudi doesn’t get back above 4.0, the Bengals backfield could look like a committee late in the year. That makes Irons one of our favorite late running back fliers – if he wins the backup job in camp.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

# 26. Ravens backup RB: Musa Smith vs. Mike Anderson

Smith won the job last year before suffering an injury late in the season. He’s more of a third-down back with great speed, but that’s what the Ravens need to balance out Willis McGahee’s weak receiving skills. There is little reason to think that Anderson, now in his mid-thirties, will improve. P.J. Daniels is a darkhorse in the picture.

Willis McGahee has mostly been durable as a pro, but the winner here is a worthy handcuff in deep leagues. The only risk is that Baltimore would split carries if McGahee is hurt.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Moose will be watching this battle

# 27. Bears third receiver: Mark Bradley vs. Rashied Davis

Bradley still has number one receiver upside; Davis, the former Areana Leaguer, does not. Bradley probably can’t push Muhsin Muhammad out the door just yet, but I think it’s a bigger possibility than most Bears fans realize.

Bradley looked like the future two years ago, and its no surprise he struggled with injuries after he rushed back from ACL surgery. He also showed a lot of skill while averaging 20 yards-per-catch. The problem for Bradley, Bernard Berrian, and Davis is that they all have similar vertical skills. Muhammad is the only one who can bring toughness.

If Bradley has a big camp, I’m looking at him as one of the best deep sleeper picks at wideout.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

#28. 49ers backup RB: Michael Robinson vs. Maurice Hicks vs. Thomas Clayton

Hicks is better on third downs, but Robinson looks more likely to handle most of the workload if Frank Gore is hurt. The former quarterback predictably didn’t understand the game that well as a rookie, but has good physical skills.

Clayton has a lot more talent than the average sixth-round pick, so he can’t be discounted here. He’s a between-the-tackles runner that should make the team. Gore owners want to watch this battle closely and draft the winner.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Billy McMullen: Candidate for the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars?

# 29. Vikings number two wide receiver: Troy Williamson vs. Sidney Rice vs. Billy McMullen

The Vikings are convinced Bobby Wade will be their “number one” receiver, so who am I to argue? Williamson should be considered the slight favorite in this battle despite an awful 2006 season. He’s more experienced than Rice and has been more productive than McMullen. He’s also 23 years old and can run under some Tarvaris Jackson rainmakers.

Rice has a chance to make an impact, but betting on rookie wideouts on poor passing teams isn’t worth the risk. Williamson is the only player here worth a flier pick in fantasy leagues. He just has to avoid a case of the drops in camp.

Gonna keep cranking through the battles today with camp looming

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (70)

# 30. Browns backup RB: Jerome Harrison vs. Jason Wright

The Browns must really think their offensive line was the problem last year, because the only change they made to their backfield was replacing Reuben Droughns with Jamal Lewis. That’s like firing Michael Irvin to hire Keyshawn Johnson.

The Cleveland backups remain uninspiring, although Harrison’s third-down skills give him some upside in deeper leagues. Its clear from offseason comments that the front office believes Harrison is a player. Watch to see if the coaching staff agrees.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

#31. Chargers number two receiver: Craig Davis vs. Eric Parker

San Diego will probably bring Davis along slowly. The LSU product was a surprising first-round pick and the Chargers offense goes through LT2 and Antonio Gates first.

While Davis impressed over the summer, Parker consistently is among the best wideouts in the league in catch percentage. Just don’t include the playoffs. The mighty mite had the best run of his career in the first half last season before injuries slowed him in December.

San Diego’s wideouts are rarely helpful in fantasy leagues, and the addition of Davis only muddles the field. Vincent Jackson should be the only one taken on draft day in most leagues, no matter who wins this battle.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

# 32. Bills Backup Running Back – Anthony Thomas vs. Dwayne Wright

Rookie Marshawn Lynch should win the starting job, leaving last year’s surprisingly serviceable backup Anthony Thomas fighting fourth-round pick Dwayne Wright for handcuff duties. Wright could be a short-yardage back in time.

The winner of this battle is worth drafting in deeper leagues. Marshawn Lynch looks great on paper, but we won’t know for sure until September Sundays. Heck, Bills.com isn’t convinced yet that Dick Jauron won’t go committee.

All that said, I wouldn’t touch A-Train in drafts until we know the score. Wait for a clear handcuff to Lynch to emerge in August.

***

* If Daunte Culpepper had an agent (other than Gandhi), he'd tell his client that Tampa would be a great fit. If Gruden can't scare some fundamentals into Culpepper, I'm not sure who could. And its not like Jeff Garcia is a long-term option.

Dynasty league owners of Culpepper should be hoping for this match.

* Looks like another fun commute tonight. Thanks for stopping by today.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

# 33. Bengals third receiver: Tab Perry vs. Antonio Chatman

This is a battle that will be overrated in most circles. I’ve seen Perry get drafted in industry leagues, but at best he’s a third receiver for half a season. Why bother? Housh and Ocho Cinco will get all the work. Perry has nine career catches and is coming off a major leg injury. Chatman is an undersized player who missed nearly all of last year with a groin injury. Don't completely discount second-year player Bennie Brazell or Reggie McNeal either. Its not like Perry and Chatman are established with the Bengals.

In the end, I'd rather take Chris Henry for eight weeks than any of these guys for 16.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

# 34. 49ers number two receiver: Ashley Lelie vs. Arnaz Battle

Battle is a rock solid possession receiver, but the 49ers want more. Lelie has to stay healthy for a real chance to start, something he hasn’t been all summer. Ideally, we think the 49ers would keep Darrell Jackson at his natural flanker position and play him opposite a deep threat like Lelie or rookie Jason Hill. Hill isn't ready yet.

Lelie’s durability issues gives Battle a good chance to start at the flanker spot. As a starter, Battle would catch just enough passes each week to not kill fantasy teams as a reserve in deep PPR leagues, but you should aim higher. I’d consider Lelie in deeper leagues if he has a huge camp.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)