Willie Parker

Parker got off to a terrific start last season, rushing for 243 yards over the first two games and scoring more touchdowns in Week 1 (three) than he had totaled in all of 2007 (two). Unfortunately, knee and shoulder injuries cost him five games, and he was useless as a receiver. His YPC (3.8) also dropped for a fourth straight season. Entering the final year of his contract, Parker will be motivated, but it’s clear back-to-back 300-carry seasons really took a toll on his body. Parker was never ideally suited to be a workhorse, and you can count on Pittsburgh getting Rashard Mendenhall more involved in 2009. Mendenhall, who was selected in the first round of the 2008 draft, should be fully recovered from last year’s season-ending shoulder injury, and at a minimum, he should take over goal-line duties, as Parker was just 3-for-16 during those situations the past two years. The Steelers have a dominant defense, terrific quarterback and just won the Super Bowl, so Parker is in a good spot. However, the team’s offensive line is shaky, and because Parker isn’t much of a receiver and should lose goal-line work, his upside is quite limited.

Parker was leading the NFL in rushing when he fractured his fibula during Week 16, but his YPC dropped to 4.1, and he had scored just two touchdowns. Parker also struggles in pass protection and doesn't record many receptions. Back-to- back seasons with more than 320 carries figured to take its toll on Parker's smallish frame, and now he'll be returning from a broken leg and competing with rookie Rashard Mendenhall and newcomer Mewelde Moore for touches. It's possible Parker remains the team's primary ballcarrier between the 20s, but he'll come off the field on third downs and in short-yardage situations at minimum. Plus, the coaches have expressed their desire for more explosiveness in the ground game, so Mendenhall is going to be heavily involved. Parker's best days are likely behind him, and he offers little in the way of upside.

Parker answered all questions surrounding his ability to be an NFL feature back with a Pro Bowl season last year. He set a single-game franchise record with 218 rushing yards in Week 10, only to surpass that mark with 223 in Week 14. For the type of back he is, one would expect Parker to be used more in the passing game, but he caught only 31 balls last year. Still, Parker is a threat to score any time he touches the ball and possesses maybe the best straight-ahead speed of any back in the league. He had 12 plays go for more than 20 yards last year, the same number as LaDainian Tomlinson. The most surprising aspect of Parker’s 2006 season was his ability to find the end zone, as he scored a franchise-record 16 touchdowns. However, Parker struggled holding onto the ball at times, losing five fumbles, which tied him for the most among running backs. Despite his 5-10, 209-pound frame, Parker proved to be more than just a perimeter runner. He actually got stronger as games wore on, finishing third in the league last season with 5.0 YPC after reaching 20 carries in a game. Parker received an ample 60 red-zone carries, as well, and, despite some ball security issues at the goal line, converted 21 attempts from the stripe into 10 touchdowns for a solid 48-percent clip. There have been rumblings about bringing in a power runner for short-yardage work, but Parker proved capable of getting the tough yards, averaging 5.3 YPC on third-and-short. Backup Najeh Davenport failed in short-yardage situations last year, totaling negative-seven yards on five goal-line carries. Having lost its head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators, some uncertainty surely lies with the team’s new scheme. New defensive minded coach Mike Tomlin might stick with a with a run-first smash-mouth offense, but then again offensive coordinator and former wide receivers coach Bruce Arians might open things up. Either way, Parker will get plenty of work.

Parker came out of nowhere to earn a majority of the action in the Pittsburgh backfield and crack the 1,200-yard rushing mark – not bad for an undrafted free agent who saw 35 touches from scrimmage as a rookie. He has breakaway speed and plenty of elusiveness, but there will be questions as to whether he can hold up under a 300-plus carry workload until he actually does it. Jerome Bettis’ retirement shouldn’t impact his numbers too much although the Steelers will almost certainly turn to another power back likely Duce Staley in goal line situations. Despite his apparent scatback skill set, Parker didn’t add much to the Pittsburgh passing game, so the majority of his fantasy value will come on the ground and between the 20s. He’ll enter the season as the team’s primary RB, but an early injury or poor showing could hand the reins to Staley or Verron Haynes. Being an undrafted FA makes him a nice story, but it also leaves Parker without the job security of a player in which the organization has something more invested.

Blessed with 4.3 speed in the 40, Parker has the natural ability to succeed in the NFL. His slight build, however, brings into question whether he can become a reliable pass blocker. He showed breakaway speed in the regular season finale in Buffalo last year, gaining over 100 yards. If the offensive line can stay relatively healthy, Parker could rack up some surprising numbers in 2005.