Justin Forsett

Forsett's emergence should be a reminder not just to fantasy owners, but also to all NFL GMs, to continually re-think all assumptions. His numbers were good in Seattle on limited touches, but his small stature got him typecast as a change-of-pace back, a label he couldn't shake even after he left the Seahawks. Eventually landing at the bottom of Baltimore's depth chart, it took national outrage over Ray Rice and a league-wide scandal to finally give Forsett a chance to start. Once he got that opportunity he thrived. Forsett's success on the ground is rooted not just in his vision and elusiveness, but also his deceptive power, which allows him to break tackles or bounce outside for large gains (only DeMarco Murray had more runs of 15 or more yards last year). He's also an asset in the passing game, and new Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman fed Matt Forte 224 targets over two seasons. His broken foot in 2013 is the only serious injury on Forsett's ledger, but he did seem to wear down both in-game and as the 2014 season progressed, which could be an issue given Trestman's apparent preference for a lead back who can soak up a large workload. But assuming his backups get enough snaps to keep him fresh, Forsett should put that change-of-pace label to rest once and for all.

Forsett is coming off a year where he was placed on IR with a fractured foot and saw minimal play in only nine games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His role in the Ravens' offense increased in early September, following the release of Ray Rice.

Forsett goes from playing behind Arian Foster in Houston to backing up Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. The 5-8, 194-pound veteran has good hands and quickness, so he could see passing-down work, but rookie Denard Robinson is also expected to be involved, so there's not much upside here unless Jones-Drew gets hurt.

Forsett could emerge as the Texans' third running back on the depth chart, taking the role Derrick Ward filled for Houston last season. After Arian Foster and Ben Tate get theirs, it doesn't leave much for a third-string running back.

Forsett saw roughly the same number of touches in 2010 as he did in 2009, but his per-play production dropped. His YPC went from 5.4 to 4.4, and his yards per catch fell from 8.5 to 7.6. While Forsett looks impressive at times, it’s clear his coaches don’t consider him big enough to carry a full workload, so even if injuries strike Seattle’s backfield, don’t expect a huge uptick in carries for Forsett.

Forsett was highly productive last year (5.4 YPC, 350 receiving yards) in limited action, as he too often took a backseat to the inferior Julius Jones. During Forsett’s two starts, he totaled 219 yards with three touchdowns despite playing in an offense that struggled. Many question whether he could handle a full workload, but Forsett had 305 carries during his senior year at Cal, so he’s at least proven he can do so once before. LenDale White was added during the offseason but was subsequently released, and Leon Washington’s future is cloudy – he’s coming off a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula, and will try to return to the field in 2010 with a metal rod in his leg. So Jones might end up being the only back on Seattle’s roster standing in Forsett’s way. Put simply, Jones isn’t any good, and despite starting all 14 games he played in last year, he didn’t see many more snaps (501) than Forsett (472). With a new regime in Seattle (and former Pac 10 coach Pete Carroll having first hand knowledge of Forsett’s abilities), there’s little reason for the better player not to be given a heavier workload in 2010. The additions of LT Russell Okung and WR Golden Tate should immediately improve the Seahawks’ offense, and while Carroll always used backfields by committee at USC, Forsett has a bunch of upside if he can establish himself as the lead back.

Forsett adds depth to the offensive backfield and can return kicks. If Julius Jones goes down to injury, Forsett could see regular action. Until then, his opportunities will be limited.

A 2008 seventh-round pick, Forsett is destined for special teams if he makes the roster. The Seahawks are stocked at running back, so barring a huge training camp, the odds are long for Forsett, who rushed for 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns last year for California. The practice squad seems likely.