CBSSports.com is an SB Nation partner and paying sponsor of the SB Nation football communities. This post is one of a series of sponsor endorsed posts related to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League. To check out the site and try your 14-day free trial, visit this link to receive the 50% discount!
Beanie Wells' draft stock slipped last offseason after reports indicated his durability would hinder his production in the NFL. When he injured his ankle in his first practice at training camp, it was questioned even further. Be that as it may, when the season started, Wells was ready to suit up and play. He never started at one point throughout the season, but it didn't stop him from leading the team in rushing yards and carries.
Beanie Wells
2009 Stats: 176 attempts, 793 yards, 7 touchdowns
Projected 2010 Stats: 243 attempts, 1,138 yards, 9 touchdowns
Projected Draft Round: 3rd
Entering year two, Wells is expected to continue that leading role, whether he starts or not. Kurt Warner is enjoying retirement, Matt Leinart is the starter, and the team modified the offensive line to better suit the running game. In the fantasy football world, that equates to an intriguing year for Wells. 2010 has all the makings for a multiple-touchdown, thousand-yard season.
Wells possesses a 6-1, 230-pound frame, with nimble feet, a nasty stiff-arm, and the speed of a 200-pound back. He improved as the season progressed last year. With a full offseason of tweaking and toning under his belt, we should continue to see progress out of the 21-year-old back.
Most fantasy football leagues score running backs based on yards and touchdowns. ESPN projected Wells at having a 1,138-yard, nine touchdown season - a year that would catapult Wells into the up-and-coming premiere running backs in the league. It would also be a steal for fantasy football owners, considering Wells was projected to land in the 3rd round (12-man league) from the aforementioned ESPN and NFL.com's player rankings. If that isn't enough, consider this: the Cardinals play against the 32nd (Bucs), 31st (Chiefs), 29th (Raiders), 27th twice (Rams), 22nd (Panthers), 21st (Saints), and 20th (Chargers) worst rush defenses in 2010. Also consider that Wells played much better in wins (601 yards, 6 TDs) than losses (192 yards, 1 TD), but those stats can probably go hand-in-hand with each other.
There are concerns among league owners regarding Wells, however. He likely will take a back seat to Tim Hightower throughout the year. He struggled holding onto the football last season, and the same durability issues have raised some eyebrows. ESPN had this outlook on Wells in 2010:
Let's face it, most rankings of Cardinals players post-Kurt Warner are contingent. Ken Whisenhunt says he plans on keeping his same offensive system with Matt Leinart running the show, but color us skeptical. Given how good an impersonation Beanie Wells did of a bulldozer toward the end of 2009 -- and how mediocre Leinart has looked when he's gotten chances to play -- we find it hard to believe Arizona will feature the league's second-most pass-heavy offense again in '10. In his rookie year, Wells shrugged off widespread concerns about his durability and scored six touchdowns in the season's final eight games, often using his 240-pound frame to simply crush defenders. Tim Hightower will likely remain the Cardinals' primary pass catcher out of the backfield, but we think Beanie is ready to be the touchdown maker right now. That entire Arizona offense is risky, but Wells has serious breakout potential.
If you have Beanie Wells available in the 3rd round, don't pass him up.
Now for the other part. I've finally decided who will be a part of the free CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner league and the results are after the jump...
It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that. I received a number of responses and took in factors such as how long you've been a member of the site and how often you participate. If you weren't picked, please don't take it personally. The decision was NOT easy.
ROTB Free League
- Andrew602
- Drullin'OverDaCards
- Jessesb
- hevchv
- AlaskanCard
- pthesz
- AJBirdWatcher
- Red Reign
- Cardsfan08
- Manphibian
- blank_38
- dacards
If for any reason you cannot commit to this league, please let me know as soon as possible so that someone else can fill in. If you weren't selected, I hope this doesn't stop you from starting up your own CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League.
SBN and CBSSports.com have partnered to offer you a 50% discount on their upgraded league to offer you the best fantasy football experience possible on the net. The discount would lower the price to roughly $90, which would equal out to $7.50 per person in a 12-player league. My favorite part about the league is that it's highly customizable, it has up-to-date scoring - which I need - it has a live chat, and there is a 14-day free trial to give it a test run before you pay. The season is coming up soon, don't be last to sign up.
CBSSports.com is an SB Nation partner and paying sponsor of the SB Nation football communities. This post is one of a series of sponsor endorsed posts related to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League. To check out the site and try your 14-day free trial, visit this link to receive the 50% discount!