Though most of the rumors had SJax becoming a cheesehead for most of Wednesday, it was the Falcons that landed Steven Jackson on a three year deal Thursday which lead me to relive all the great acts from the dirty south. Somehow despite having Outkast available I went with Ludacris which is…well its ludicrous but it’s happened and now we must move on from it. The writing had been on the wall for most of the 2012 season that the Rams wouldn’t be bringing Steven back so for him to land on the Falcons is a blessing for many in the fantasy world. Firstly, SJax himself gets a major boost as Atlanta was an offensive juggernaut in 2012, finishing in the top 5 in total yards last year and 7th in PPG, leaving a Rams team that finished 23rd and 25th, respectively. Factor in that his predecessor Michael Turner averaged 3.6 yards per carry and still finished as a top 20 fantasy running back in 2012 and the ceiling for Steven Jackson just got a lot higher. Like we’re talking vaulted ceilings and you’ll need an extension for your sticky buddy to clean up all the uh…joy that you’ll release if you get to draft him this year. You see, Turner was burned out last season. In three of his five seasons with the Falcons, Turner had 300 or more carries with one of those seasons being only 11 games after carrying the ball 376 times in 2008. Though it’s not the same kind of concern that goes along with Arian Foster and his 400 touches, 300+ carries is a heavy burden to bear. I mention all these things because even with a terrible burnout year, Turner still scored 11 total touchdowns. That’s 1 more than SJax has scored in the last 2 years combined. I can tell you’re blinking rapidly with surprise and shock at that so I’ll give you a moment to let it settle in. Good, now I’ll tell you that SJax has only scored 10 or more touchdowns twice in his career and the last time it happened was in 2006. Hello, you still there? Crap, someone call a paramedic I think we lost one! When you factor in Jackson’s versatility – Turner only has 70 career receptions compared to Jackson averaging 49 in a 16 game season for his career – the fantasy world will be his for the taking and yours as well if you take him. I might be wrong but I think we get some vintage SJax in 2013 and a top 10 running back finish.
Projections: 1144 rushing yards, 40 receptions, 328 receiving yards, 14 total touchdowns
Needless to say, I’m all in. But of course, SJax wasn’t the only news on Thursday. So let’s take a quick look at the third day of free agency to see what else happened for 2013 fantasy football…
Matt Cassel – Was waived by KC and then immediately picked up by the Vikings. Hrm, I thought I said I had more news than Steven Jackson…guess I was wrong. With Ponder’s 6.08 yards per passing attempt and Cassel’s 6.48, it’s clear Minnesota is trying to corner the limp arm market. Next stop, trade for Gabbert and his 5.98. I’m assuming this move is supposed to motivate Christian. Guess he better add .4 yards to every pass attempt to keep up then!
