Michael Bennett

Bennett is behind both LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles on the depth chart, but he did have a few key carries in the 2008 playoffs when LT was out. Unless somebody gets injured, Bennett will probably only see spot duty during mop-up time this year.

Bennett came over to the Bucs in October after Michael Pittman got hurt, and did not see much playing time until December. However, he has picked up more of the Bucs' offense over the offseason. Since he's Tampa Bay's fastest back (at least until Cadillac Williams returns), he could see a larger role in the Bucs' offense in 2008, either giving Earnest Graham a breather or just replacing Graham if he's ineffective.

It doesn’t matter how fast you are if you’re never on the field. Bennett, a tremendous straight-line runner, has received 200 carries in his career just once and was limited to 36 totes in 2006. He’s an effective receiver and sports a 4.5 YPC career average, so he can produce when healthy. Bennett is probably about as likely as any other back in the league to be injured this season, but as Larry Johnson’s backup, he can’t be completely ignored. If Bennett again spends more time in the training room than on the field, look for rookie Kolby Smith to become Johnson’s backup.

Bennett got lost in the shuffle of the Vikings' offensive diaspora, with Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper snagging all the headlines. When it looked like Reggie Bush would be heading to Houston with the first pick in the draft, Bennett seemed to make an interesting sleeper as a Saint behind fragile Deuce McAllister. But once Bush fell to No. 2, Bennett's chances of contributing in New Orleans all but disappeared, and a trade to another club seems inevitable. Now with the Chiefs, Bennett's value depends on Larry Johnson's health. Bennett's one of the fastest straight-ahead runners in the league at any position, but isn't particularly elusive or powerful.

More of a track star than a complete football player, Bennett is one of the fastest players in the NFL, a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He also hits holes quickly and changes directions with ease. He doesn’t have great hands, but he’s dangerous as a receiver because of his blazing speed. Bennett’s also on the small side, (5-9, 209 pounds), missed 16 games in his four-year career due to injury and gets replaced in short-yardage and goal-line situations. And even with Onterrio Smith lost for the season due to a suspension, Bennett will have to battle Mewelde Moore, who played well when pressed into duty last year, for the starting tailback job. And veteran Moe Williams could be in the third down/goal-line mix as well. The best-case scenario is for Bennett to win the job, fill a between-the-20s yardage-back role and score a few touchdowns from long distance.

Bennett is a tremendous athlete, but the former track star hasn’t proven durable, and now he’s being pushed by a more complete player, backup Onterrio Smith. Coach Mike Tice anointed Bennett his unquestioned starter, but lingering questions regarding last year’s broken foot, the likely lack of goal-line carries and the ever-present threat of a committee situation – Moe Williams is still in the mix as well – make Bennett a marginal fantasy starter.

Bennett suffered a setback with his broken foot this summer and will miss at least a few weeks of the regular season, and perhaps the entire season. Too bad because Bennett really came alive in the middle of 2002, and his 960 yards rushing over the final 10 weeks were fourth in the NFL, behind only Ricky Williams, Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber. Alas, Bennett's fantasy value wasn't quite that high, as Moe Williams and Daunte Culpepper hoarded most of the short-yardage touchdowns for the Vikings – Bennett finished with a modest five rushing touchdowns, despite averaging a gaudy 5.1 yards a carry. For Bennett to work his way into the fantasy elite at RB, he needs the Vikings to give him a chance when the team moves into the red zone.