Roy Helu

Helu heads to Oakland after four seasons in Washington, looking to prove he's something more than a reliable pass-catching back with limited upside on the ground. A solid size by NFL standards at 5-11, 215, Helu has excellent speed in the open field, but his burst and explosiveness are only average, leaving him unable to reach that top speed quickly or power through tacklers. He's also not as elusive as a typical scatback, relying instead on his vision and patience to set up his blocks and gain extra yards. Helu's receiving skills have always been good, and he's become at least an adequate blocker since coming out of college, so Washington's decision to use him primarily on third downs is understandable. Latavius Murray will get a long look this season as the Raiders' starter, leaving Helu battling with the underwhelming Trent Richardson for snaps, but if Murray isn't up to the task Helu may finally get his shot at an expanded role.

Helu is set to reprise his role as the Redskins' third-down and change-of-pace back and behind starter Alfred Morris this year – a situation that severely limits his fantasy value. Despite a fully healthy 2013 season, Helu only touched the ball 93 times. He totaled just over 500 yards on those touches, which is good from a rate-stats perspective, but he simply isn't utilized enough to be much of a fantasy factor. It's no coincidence that Helu scored all four of his touchdowns last year in his only two double-digit-carry games, but the speedy combo back isn't going to see too many games like that going forward as long as Morris stays healthy.

With Helu limited last summer by turf toe, Alfred Morris stole the starting spot and cemented it by setting the franchise single-season rushing record. Helu's toe injury eventually landed him on IR in Week 3, but after surgery  in February, he was finally able to practice with the team in early June. Assuming he's 100 percent by the start of training camp, Helu should line up as Morris' primary backup this season. At 5-11, 215, and with soft hands – 49 catches in 2011 – Helu is likely to carve out a role as the team's third-down back with his 4.4-speed bringing a home-run element to the Washington offense that Morris cannot provide.

Helu wasn’t given more than 10 carries in a game during his rookie season until Week 12, but over the next four contests, he totaled 505 yards with two touchdowns, looking every bit like the team’s long-term answer at running back until an ankle injury slowed him over the final two contests. Coach Mike Shanahan has voiced concern as to whether Helu can hold up physically carrying a full workload, which was further reinforced by the team re-signing Tim Hightower in May. In a Shanahan system that will be adding electric rookie Robert Griffin at quarterback, there’s a ton of upside if one back emerges as a 20-touch weekly option in this offense, and Helu enters 2012 as the favorite, but it’s a total crapshoot with Shanahan, who has two other viable alternatives in Hightower and Evan Royster.

The Redskins traded up to take Helu in the fourth round of the draft, and coach Mike Shanahan has already stated he’ll be given every opportunity to compete for the team’s starting role. Helu ran for 1,245 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 188 carries during his senior year at Nebraska last season and impressed at the Combine with a 4.40 40. Ryan Torain played well last year, but he’s a huge injury risk, and Shanahan covets Helu’s breakaway speed, an attribute Torain doesn’t possess. The team also traded for Tim Hightower, who will certainly compete for the starting job as well. Don’t forget how productive a lead back in Shanahan’s system can be. Helu is the type of late pick who can win your league for you.