Fantasy Outlook -- Late Round Backs

That time of year is finally coming around where your fantasy football draft is just around the corner. You need all the advice you can get, right? I mean, maybe you have your game plan all sorted out for the first few rounds -- where all the pro-bowlers get drafted. Championship teams, though, are made in the later rounds. Most leagues use a flex position, giving you a chance to play an extra running back or wide receiver. I'm going to tell you which backs I'm keeping in mind once the wave of all-pro runners has come and gone.

CJ Spiller [BUF]: Spiller is going, on average, in the 7th or 8th round of fantasy drafts so far this year. I definitely wouldn't take him any higher than that, for a number of reasons. He shares a backfield with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. While I'm not worried about Lynch, Jackson was a 1,000-yard rusher last year (out of no where). If he produces like that again, Spiller will have a tough time getting carries; however, Jackson's hand injury this week will reportedly keep him out 4-6 weeks. With Lynch also ailing, Spiller could see serious time as Buffalo's feature back in Week 1. Much like Jackson, he could emerge early and prove himself. Even if he doesn't, the Bills may use him as a big-play guy with his electric speed and quickness. That offensive line is horrendous, so there are really no guarantees for any running back in Buffalo. So I'm not burning a high pick on him, but if the 8th round comes and goes and he's still there, I'm snatching him up unless there's someone else available that's higher up on my target list.

Jahvid Best [DET]: Best averaged a gaudy 6.2 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns in his final year at the University of California. The Lions selected him 30th overall in the first round of this year's draft, and he is very similar to the previously mentioned CJ Spiller. ESPN reported that Best was getting a lot of looks and plenty of good feedback from fellow players and coaches so far in camp. With last year's starter Kevin Smith still tending to a recovering anterior cruciate ligament, it's very likely that Best could jump into the action very early. He's being drafted slightly earlier than Spiller is -- between the 6th and 7th rounds in most leagues -- but I'd definitely keep your eyes peeled. Knowing the injury situations in each backfield is very important, and it could always result in a breakthrough performance from a dynamic #2 back. Best is just another rookie to watch out for from a fantasy standpoint.

Cadillac Williams [TB]: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was regarded as one of the top running back prospects in the league at one time. That tag has since withered away, but I think he's still a guy to keep an eye on. He's going past the 10th round in fantasy drafts this year, and if he gets much further than that, I think he merits consideration. ESPN writers will bash him for averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry last season. He averaged 3.9. Boo-hoo! If it weren't for his relatively low touchdown total, he would have been a pretty good fantasy option all year -- he was still a decent #3 at times. His job isn't really in too much danger -- Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham were his biggest competitors last season, and they remain his only two this season. I like to pick up Cadillac in fantasy, because he's a wild card. Instead of using that 12th or 13th rounder on whoever ESPN says is the best role player, why not roll the dice on a guy who has shown flashes of brilliance? I'm willing to test the waters.

Montario Hardesty [CLE]: Eric Mangini is a big, tough, power running type of coach. Everyone will remember Jerome Harrison's 286-yard explosion at the end of last season, but you can't expect that he will continue that type of production. Hardesty is 6'0" and 225 lbs, and he runs will power and recklessness. If he can get past his history of knee problems, I give him a great shot to overtake Harrison for that starting job in Cleveland. Their offensive line is built for the power game over the finesse game, and Hardesty could make a big splash if he's able to get the starting job from Harrison. He's being drafted in rounds 12-14. If I see him on that board towards the back end of that span, I can't help but give serious consideration to Hardesty if I'm looking for some running back insurance.

Michael Bush [OAK]: Bush is being drafted later than the 10th round in drafts this year. In case you aren't aware, Justin Fargas is no longer in Oakland. It's a two-man battle for that top spot between Bush and Darren McFadden, who is clearly the bigger name. McFadden is being drafted between the 9th and 10th rounds, Bush is being drafted between the 10th and 11th rounds. I think it's good to take a chance on either of these guys, but at the lower price, I'm testing the waters with Michael Bush. Many people who actually watch the two players play will agree that Bush might be the better runner. He averaged nearly a whole yard more per-carry than McFadden did last season. Additionally, McFadden's 5 fumbles trumps Bush's total of 2 in 2009. The one and only thing that points to McFadden winning this job is his advantage in hype. The Raiders have invested in McFadden with that big bonus for being selected 4th overall. If it's a close race, the job will go to McFadden. But it can't hurt to take a chance on Michael Bush. The Raiders surprisingly ranked 7th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (129). This team can run the ball, and Bush has a chance to be a big part of that attack.

These five guys are just a few that I'm making sure to keep my eye on as the top players leave the board. There are a bunch more guys you should consider it worthy of taking a chance on, too. Tim Hightower, Donald Brown, Clinton Portis, and even Laurence Maroney are all guys being drafted late in drafts that could make a splash off your fantasy bench. I mean, hey -- you don't have to take my analysis to the bank. You can go your own way if you want. Why believe me? I don't really have any credentials for giving fantasy advice other than having played fantasy football for years now. Just don't come crying to me when you passed up on one of these guys and ended up with a total bust.