RB Sleeper: Lau-Money gets no respect.

By Justin Hasan.

With last year’s overwhelming success of rookie running backs, several 2010 rookies are likely to be high up on the draft boards,   Due to the pounding on the position, the prime of a running back is limited and fantasy football owners don’t want to acquire a veteran in his first declining year. Also, to some selecting a seasoned half back may seem to be overly safe and limited in potential.   Rookies on the other hand, have less mileage and appear to have limitless ceilings.  C.J. Spiller, Jahvid Best, Ben Tate, and Montario Hardesty have tremendous potential, so much so that they are turning some RB veterans into deep-draft gems.

On average, Laurence Maroney AKA Lau-Money is drafted outside the top 120 picks in both standard Yahoo and ESPN drafts.  You will not find another depth-chart-topper so far down fantasy drafts (44^th Running Back taken in ESPN leagues on average).  By ‘depth-chart-topper,’ I mean that he is the reality number one RB for a premier New England offense.  Averaging almost 4 yards per carry, Maroney finished last season with 856 total yards and 9 touchdowns.  Some may argue he was lucky because several scores came as a result of goal line carries.  We, on the other hand are encouraged by the fact that the Patriots trusted Maroney with their key Redzone run plays. His handcuff threats are often-injured, 34 year old, Fred Taylor, followed by 33 year old Sammy Morris and 3^rd down back Kevin Faulk.  Maroney is easily the youngest and most explosive of the bunch and should be the undisputed starter in September.

Lau-Money is entering his prime at the age of 25 and has incurred limited pounding since his rookie year in 2006 thanks in part to New England’s pass-focused offense. Also, if you look deeper at Maroney’s stats, you will see that he finishes the season strong.  In 2007 and 2009 (he was injured in 2008), Maroney scored the bulk of his touchdowns after the bye week of those seasons.  In 2007, he scored all 6 of his TD’s after the week 10 bye, and scored 7 of his 9 TD’s after the week 8 bye in 2009.  Basically, be patient as Lau-Money’s value is appreciated in mid-season and in the fantasy playoffs – when it counts the most.

This season, Maroney has vowed to be more physical this season, with more downhill running and less dancing in the backfield. Also, keep in mind that it’s a contract year for Maroney. Don’t count on a barrage of 100 plus yards per game as the Patriots have fewer run plays than most teams, but he will provide high TD totals as the 3^rd or 4^th running back on your team. In standard 12 team leagues, he will likely be around in the 9^th or 10^th round.  Personally, I would love if my flex play, drafted in the 9^th round scored 9 TD’s with 856 yards.  Lau-Money is a fitting name considering that you pay very little for someone likely to produce well above his ADP. He could be one of the steals of your 2010 fantasy football draft.