Marshall Faulk

At 32 and with 2,771 career rushes, 723 receptions and three surgeries on his right knee over the last three seasons, Faulk will return in 2005 as a change-of-pace back, spelling Steven Jackson from time to time, especially on third downs, given Faulk’s route-running and blitz-pickup skills. Faulk is still a good receiver, but he’s not able to make defenders miss the way he used to, and he no longer has the speed to get to the corner consistently. If Jackson gets hurt, Faulk might see a more prominent role, but it’s doubtful that he could carry a full-time load at this point in any event.

There are too many injury-related fantasy zeros in Faulk’s 2003 game logs. Expect more of the same this year, along with an overall decline in effectiveness when he’s “healthy” (as running backs with well over 3,000 career touches can never truly be classified that way). Faulk is capable of big days, but the risks far outweigh those rewards. Despite missing a good chunk of the season, Faulk had an impressive 19 carries inside the 10 with an even better success rate (nine TDs). So the scoring opportunities will likely be there during those weeks his knees aren’t barking. Faulk’s a shadow of his former self as a receiving threat (yards per catch since 1999: 12.0, 10.2, 9.2, 6.7, 6.4). His yards per rush have also consistently declined since 1999, falling below 4.0 last year. The drafting of Steven Jackson by the Rams shows they can read the writing on the wall. Securing Faulk and Jackson will ensure fantasy owners solid production out of one running back spot, as coach Mike Martz is likely to spare Faulk the indignity of splitting carries when he’s healthy.

Don't make the mistake of bidding on a 16-game season from Faulk – he's missed at least two games in each of the last three years. Granted, Faulk has the potential to outscore everyone else, even in a short season. He's still arguably the most dynamic running-receiving threat in the league, and the Rams offensive line figures to be improved this year, as St. Louis has acquired Kyle Turley from the Saints and figures to keep stud tackle Orlando Pace in town. If the Rams can get steady quarterback play most of the year – something they didn't have last season as Kurt Warner struggled mightily – Faulk could make another run at 15-plus touchdowns.