Justin Fargas

Fargas started 14 games last season and got the majority of carries in Oakland’s backfield, but that resulted in just one touchdown, 3.9 YPC and little contribution in the passing game. He runs extremely hard, with his legs in constant motion, but Fargas doesn’t have much explosion and sports pedestrian athleticism. Although he was the team’s starter in 2008, with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush competing for carries, Fargas will likely become the lesser part of a three-headed committee in Oakland’s backfield.

After multiple injuries opened the door for Fargas to become Oakland's feature back last year, he responded with 786 total yards during seven starts. Before a knee injury ended his season during Week 15, Fargas compiled 431 rushing yards with three scores over his final four games. Tom Cable's system in Oakland produced huge rushing stats, regardless of the ballcarrier. Fargas is a relentless, tough runner who fits the one-cut zone scheme well and signed a three-year contract with Oakland during the offseason. However, he's also injury-prone, and the Raiders didn't spend the fourth overall pick on Darren McFadden to sit him. Moreover, Michael Bush is another threat to steal touches, so Fargas' 2008 outlook suffered dramatically this offseason.

Back up RB may have fallen too far on the depth chart with the signing of Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush. May get a carry or two while Rhodes is on suspension.

Fargas averaged 5.1 yards per carry as a rookie in 2003 but has been pretty much invisible since. Injuries and a lack of a specific role in the offense have combined to really limit Fargas over the past two seasons. This year he could see a big boost playing in Art Shell's new, run-oriented offense. As Lamont Jordan's backup, Fargas could wind up being a big fantasy factor in the event of an injury, but even if Jordan stays healthy and carries 25 times a game, this might be the year in which Fargas finally makes a bit of a splash.

Fargas, who is No. 2 on the depth chart behind LaMont Jordan, returns from yet another injury-plagued season. Fargas has plenty of speed to burn, but durability concerns dictates that he shouldn’t be counted on for any of your rosters. Given the style of running attack that coach Norv Turner prefers, it wouldn't surprise us if Zack Crockett got the call over Fargas in the event Jordan goes down to an injury.

Blessed with great speed, hands and decent size, Fargas tore his MCL last November just as he was slated to receive a significant share of the Oakland backfield load. As a result, his status in the offense heading into 2004 is as yet unresolved, even though he’s expected to be healthy for the start of training camp. Our feeling is that should Fargas stay healthy, the job will eventually be exclusively his, as Tyrone Wheatley is too one-dimensional to be Norv Turner’s feature back, Amos Zereoue already spit the bit once when handed a starting job, and Troy Hambrick is likely to see just a few carries per game as the fullback. Fargas’ upside is limited because it’s unlikely he’ll get goal line carries with Zack Crockett around. But Fargas is the most exciting option among Raider running backs, and Norv Turner has eschewed committee situations throughout his coaching career.

The son of Huggy Bear and a third-round pick, Fargas could be Oakland's third-down back this year. He is a legit speed demon, running a 4.35 40 at the combine prior to the draft.