James Starks

James Starks

38-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for James Starks in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Packers in February of 2017.
Waived by Packers
RBFree Agent
Concussion
February 7, 2017
Starks (concussion) has been waived by the Packers with a non-football-injury designation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Starks was only able to take the field for nine games this season, ending the year on concussion protocol. The 30-year-old running back rushed for a measly 145 yards on 63 carries while recording in 19 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in those nine contests. Starks' role on offense quickly diminished due to injuries and the emergence of Ty Montgomery as the new quick-paced, pass-catching target out of the backfield. The veteran now heads into free agency after spending the past seven seasons in Green Bay, the only place he has called home over his NFL career. It remains unseen how much Starks has left in the tank, especially when you factor in his injury-plagued 2016 campaign, but he could find his way onto a team in need of a third-down back.
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2016
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where James Starks lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 James Starks Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do James Starks' measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 2"
 
Weight
218 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.50 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.23 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.89 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.0 in
 
Broad Jump
119 in
 
Bench Press
15 reps
 
Hand Length
9.50 in
 
Arm Length
33.75 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring James Starks See More
Team Previews: Green Bay Packers
July 24, 2017
Kevin O'Brien analyzes how the Packers can get over the hump and make their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2010 season.
NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down the Conference Championships
January 21, 2017
Erik Siegrist previews the conference championship games as Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers go on the road to New England looking for a Super Bowl bid.
Weekly Rankings: Conference Championships Value Meter
January 17, 2017
How high will the Packers and Falcons go?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Starks finished the year as a top-25 back in basic scoring leagues, which gives you an idea of how messy the RB landscape is these days. He set career bests for carries, catches, total yards, yards per catch, and total TDs. Nonetheless, a 4.1 average rush isn't going to make anyone forget the Vince Lombardi power sweep, and the Packers seem to view Starks best employed as a complementary piece, not someone forced into a starting role. Eddie Lacy has trimmed down from his chunky 2015 weight, according to all reports, and the team will give him every chance to be more of a foundation back this fall. Starks is also entering his age-30 campaign, so last year's return might go down as the best we ever see. There's some handcuff and lottery ticket value here, but if upside is all you care about, you can probably do better elsewhere.
Eddie Lacy's primary backup, Starks has good speed and burst through the hole, but his upright running style and lack of elusiveness make him an injury magnet, and last season was the first in which he managed to stay on the field for 16 games. He also doesn't run with much power for a back his size, and his ability to break tackles is as pedestrian as his ability to miss them altogether. With Lacy dominating the backfield touches as a true three-down bell cow, Starks' primary role is simply to give him a breather now and then. The Packers started to shift away from a pass-heavy offense last season, but unless Lacy gets hurt while Starks stays healthy, Starks won't see a significant increase in touches.
Starks will serve as Eddie Lacy's backup again this year after doing great work in his limited opportunities last season, averaging a highly impressive 5.5 YPC. Even when Lacy was healthy last year, coach Mike McCarthy expressed a desire to work Starks into the game plan. Unfortunately, the 6-2, 218-pound Starks has suffered quite a few injuries in his career – including knee ailments that could have to do with his upright running style – and hasn't played more than 13 games in his four NFL seasons despite a light workload. The Packers seem likely to lean heavily on Lacy this year, keeping Starks relatively marginalized once again.
Starks will be competing for a spot on the roster for the Packers with the crowd at the running back position after starting two games last season.
Part of a rotation, Starks managed just 794 yards from scrimmage with only one touchdown in 2011. He continued to battle injuries, so durability remains a legitimate concern moving forward. However, despite getting just 133 rushing attempts, Starks’ 27 broken tackles were 15th most among all backs, and he plays in an offense that averaged an NFL-high 35 points per game last year. Green Bay didn’t select an RB in the draft and isn’t expected to bring back Ryan Grant, so a healthy Starks could pay big dividends in fantasy leagues.
Starks wasn’t able to take advantage of Ryan Grant’s season-ending ankle injury last year because he, too, was battling a hamstring strain that had him open the year on the PUP. In fact, it was something of a miracle he didn’t land on IR. Apparently, the team knew it had something in the sixth-round pick, and its patience was rewarded when Starks became the team’s workhorse in the playoffs, averaging 20.3 carries per game. While his 3.9 YPC mark doesn’t jump out, he faced stiff competition and passed the “eye test.” He also has his coaches’ confidence, so if Starks can prove durable, he can play a big role in Green Bay’s backfield in 2011. Just keep in mind Grant will be back, and third-round draft pick Alex Green could be in the mix as well.
Starks was taken in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. He missed his final year of college due to a shoulder injury, but could be a decent sleeper. He'll compete with Brandon Jackson for a backup running back spot.
More Fantasy News
Out again
RBGreen Bay Packers
Concussion
January 13, 2017
Starks (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's playoff game against the Cowboys.
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To remain sidelined
RBGreen Bay Packers
Concussion
January 6, 2017
Starks (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's playoff game against the Giants.
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Ruled out again
RBGreen Bay Packers
Concussion
December 30, 2016
Starks (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Lions.
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Won't play Saturday
RBGreen Bay Packers
Concussion
December 23, 2016
Starks (concussion) has been ruled out of Saturday's game against the Vikings.
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Remains in concussion protocol
RBGreen Bay Packers
Concussion
December 21, 2016
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Starks remains in the league's concussion protocol.
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