T.J. Duckett

Duckett signed with Seattle in March, but entering training camp, the Seahawks still aren't sure of his role. He'll likely be relegated to short-yardage work with Julius Jones the feature back. He could also see time at fullback, though the Seahawks already have the capable Leonard Weaver and 2008 fifth-round pick Owen Schmitt. Duckett's best hope is that he gets the goal-line carries, which would give him some fantasy value.

Duckett returned to his home state, signing with the Lions in March. He will likely be employed in the same role were accustomed to seeing him in with Atlanta, playing the thunder to Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones' lightning. He probably won't get a chance to be a feature back unless both Jones and Bell are hurt, but he could snipe goal-line carries from both, keeping their respective values down a bit.

Duckett is something of a relic in today’s NFL, a pure power back who derives most of his fantasy value from the goal line. Few players have been as steady and as good in the role for as long as Duckett. His 24 red zone TDs over the last three seasons in just 81 touches (a remarkable 29.6 percent conversion rate) mark him as arguably the best short-yardage back in the business. His rushing yards fluctuate depending on who’s healthy in the offense at any given time, but Duckett’s scores provide rock-solid value if he’s your No. 3 or No. 4 running back.

At 6-0, 254 pounds, Duckett might seem merely a short-yardage plodder brought in every now and then to take some of the pounding away from Warrick Dunn. But Duckett actually averaged more yards per carry (4.9) than Dunn (4.2) and only saw roughly half of the Falcons’ goal carries (10). Duckett managed eight touchdowns despite missing three games late in the year with torn cartilage in his left knee, thanks in large part to a 60 percent conversion rate inside the five – good for third best in the league. Duckett was also 6-of-11 from inside the five in 2003, so he’s been one of the top goal line backs for two seasons running. Duckett has good straight-ahead speed and excellent power, but he won’t make anyone miss, and he’s not much of a receiver. While this could limit his touches in the West Coast offense, we have to imagine that with the diminutive Dunn turning 30 last January and racking up the career mileage, Duckett will be needed to carry a little more of the load this season, both between the 20s and around the goal line.

The super-sized Duckett will make Warrick Dunn a mere third-down back this year. Duckett closed last year with two 90-plus rushing games against the Bucs and Jaguars. Duckett is the man near the goal line, converting eight of his 18 carries there last year and helping Atlanta finish third-best in converting short-yardage runs. The only fear is that, at almost 260 pounds, he might be too big to be an every-down back, though Duckett was reported to be slimmer during minicamp. Perhaps this will rectify stamina problems that were in evidence last year, as Duckett averaged just 2.8 yards after his first 10 carries.

Duckett will share time at running back with Warrick Dunn. Expect the carries to be split again in 2003 between the tandem. The Red Zone usage may reverse this season with Duckett getting more rushing attempts