The Texans are reportedly considering adding to the pool of fantasy football rookie prospects in 2010 by drafting a running back this April. From the Houston Chronicle.
Running back is a priority going into the draft. If the Texans select a back in the first or second round, they could end up with a player like Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, California’s Jahvid Best, Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer, Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon or Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews.
â€As you know, I’ve always been committed to running the football, and that’s not going to change,†Kubiak said.
“We’re going to find a way to get better,†Kubiak said. “It wasn’t good enough last season.â€
The Texans have a very good o-line and the rest of the offense is obviously very good as well. Combine that with the head coach’s commitment to running the ball and this has the potential to be very fantasy friendly for a rookie. The Texans rushed the ball 26.6 times a game on average, 20th in NFL in 2009. The competition for carries is second year RB Arian Foster while Slaton is out four to six months recovering from spine surgery.
Kubiak said the prognosis is good for running back Steve Slaton, who underwent surgery two weeks ago.
Slaton underwent a discectomy to relieve pressure on the nerve root that was causing the problem in his spine.
The surgery was performed in Dallas by Dr. Drew Dossett. The Texans said the surgery went well and that recovery will take from four to six months. Kubiak said Slaton will avoid contact until training camp.
If the Texans take one of the highly rated rookie RB prospects with their first round pick as NFL Draft Blitz predicts in their 2/11/10 mock draft, he – Dwyer in this case – will be a top 3 fantasy football rookie in 2010 (if he can pass block).
Slaton’s done.
Any player able to repeat Slaton’s rookie year stats (268 rushes, 1282 yards, 9TDs/50 recepts, 377 yards, 1 TD) would be a very high fantasy football draft pick, let alone rookie-only pick.