The NFL offseason makes smart fantasy football players stupid.
Last year people were buying into Lamar Miller, David Wilson and Daryl Richardson. They were taking these young running backs as early as the third round. You would think they would learn from their mistakes. Instead, the fantasy football speculation continues to build as we get into the dark days of the NFL offseason.
We’re in the awkward time after the top free agents have signed and yet the draft is still over one month away. Now, Mark Ingram is being mentioned as a potential break out candidate with the New Orleans Saints.
Ingram, 24 was the first running back selected in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Saints traded up to draft him. The Heisman Trophy winner hasn't been the back the Saints expected him to be. In his three seasons he has rushed for 1,462 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has missed 11 games due to injury.
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| Can Mark Ingram (28) be the lead back in 2014, since Darren Sproles (43) was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles? |
Now, with Darren Sproles’ departure some believe that this is Ingram’s time to shine. While he remains a solid buy-low candidate, it seems inevitable that he shoots up draft boards as the football season gets closer.
This is your warning. Don’t buy into the hype. If Ingram was ready to lead the Saints’ backfield don’t you think he would've done it by now?
Is the potential there for a big season? They did pick him in the first round. He is heading into a contract year so maybe he will be productive. But, do you really believe he has the talent to do so? The fact that Ingram was unable to overtake Pierre Thomas as the lead back last season speaks volumes.
Ingram is nothing more than a situational running back, who is missing the lateral quickness to be a top starting running back in the NFL.
Don’t believe the offseason hype that Ingram will inevitably bring. He’s an average talent that many could reach on. Just make sure you aren't the one doing the reaching on draft day.
