Fantasy Sleepers in 2010: RB Chester Taylor
Posted on 31. Jul, 2010 by Brandon LaClair in Columns, Draft Strategy
Since Adrian Peterson entered the league in 2007, Chester Taylor has played “second fiddle” to the star tailback in Minnesota. It is widely overlooked that Taylor has great skills between the tackles and as a productive receiver out of the backfield. Taylor has since signed with Chicago as a backup to Matt Forte. My expectation is for Taylor to have to quality year. Here’s why:
- Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator in Chicago. In other words, the passing attack will be frequent, leaving Chicago running backs (Forte & Taylor etc.) watching and waiting to rush the football. With the spread offense set on auto under Martz’s dictatorship, there will be many instances where the offense will have to go to the single back set and Forte has struggled with this averaging 2.9 yards per carry in his first two seasons. All of Forte’s successes have been via the power I formation and with Martz’s disregard for fullbacks, he may run the power I once a game, maybe. Forte’s triumphs will be through the Bears high-powered passing attack, leaving the majority of the single back formations to the bigger, more physical Taylor (4.2 YPC in single back formations over career) , boding well for you.
- Taylor is 30 years old. This is where most running backs hit the proverbial wall. History says that he should start breaking down at this point in his career, but not so fast. In 2006, before Peterson was drafted, Taylor put up stellar numbers. He ran for 1,216 yards and caught 42 balls for another 288 yards and six touchdowns. Fantasy stud in 2010? Probably not. But a good number two back for your team if Forte struggles? Definitely. Consider this: Taylor has only rushed the ball 352 times over the past three seasons. Not too much work for his 30-year-old legs. Take Ricky Williams for example; Ronnie Brown got hurt in 2009 leaving the door open for Williams to shine and he did (241 att, 1,121 yards, 11 TD). Not bad for a 32-year-old running back. Given Forte’s recent history of nagging injuries in 2009, give Taylor a look come draft day, you will be pleasantly surprised with his production in 2010.
According to fantasyknuckleheads.com, Taylor’s ADP (average draft position is 154th, 47th overall running back). In standard leagues, you should take him in the 10th round as a solid #3 RB with major upside. It’s likely that you’ll be able to hamstring Taylor with Forte as insurance if Forte continues his sophomore slump or gets hurt. Regardless, Taylor has always been productive either splitting time or as the feature back. The value is there, capitalize on it at the appropriate time in your draft.
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