Roy Helu has a chance to grab hold of the starting job in 2011.
The Washington Redskins needed some competition in their backfield due to Ryan Torain’s uphill running style which presents a significant injury risk.
Enter Roy Helu owner of the 3rd best speed score of any running back at the NFL combine.
The Redskins liked him enough to trade up for him in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Helu posted a 4.42 40-time at 5’11 and 219 lbs which equates to a speed score of 115.
Helu, as his 40 time suggests has top end speed and he also possesses the patience and vision to find a seam and hit a homerun.
Helu has good size and is an ideal fit for the Shanahan’s one cut, zone blocking scheme.
Mike Shanahan has even gone as far as to compare Roy Helu to Clinton Portis:
Shanahan said Helu offers something that neither Torain, nor Williams offers, however, and that is his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed.
“We haven’t had that guy, so he brings something different to the table than what we have had. Now we’ve got some competition at that position, which is always good,” Shanahan said. “In Denver, with Clinton, he was that 4.45 guy coming out, very physical, and once he had that open lane, he could go the distance. At that time, he was about 205 pounds and averaged almost six yards a carry. … I look at Helu as having that type of ability, that type of speed.”
Helu has landed in an ideal situation in Washington as the incumbent starter is very injury prone and does not possess the same type of open field speed as does Helu.
Fantasy Impact:
As of right now it is tough to say that Helu has a serious chance at being the week one starter with the NFL still locking out its players and putting the preseason in jeopardy, but if Helu manages to stay healthy he will, in all likelihood, end the year as the starter.
Furthermore the Redskins may look to add a back in free agency which would completely change the dynamic of this backfield.
All things being equal however Helu should be expected to grab hold of the featured role by mid-season, although it will be no easy task as Ryan Torain is a Mike Shanahan favorite from their days together in Denver.
We currently have Helu ranked as the number four rookie runner for redraft leagues and number six for dynasty leagues with Mikel LeShoure and Shane Vereen moving ahead of him due to their long-term upside.
Helu is looking like a bench option who should emerge with low-end flex value by week 10.
