Mike Goodson

After missing most of 2011 with a hamstring injury, the 6-0, 210-pound Goodson returned to post 416 yards on 51 touches for the Raiders last year. This year he moves to the Jets and is the team's best candidate for third-down work, given his strong pass catching skills. Goodson could also wrest his share of early-down opportunities from the equally health-plagued Chris Ivory. However, an arrest on weapons and drug charges in May puts Goodson's status in jeopardy -- he has been suspended for the first four games of the season.

Goodson received zero carries last season, which ended prematurely thanks to a hamstring injury. But he totaled 762 yards on just 143 touches in 2010, when he broke only one fewer tackle than LeSean McCoy despite seeing 463 fewer snaps. Darren McFadden is the undisputed starter, but he’s never appeared in more than 13 games during his four-year career, averaging five DNPs per season. Taiwan Jones is listed as McFadden’s backup, but he was given just 18 touches during his rookie season, and thanks to his slight build, would likely remain in a change of pace role should McFadden go down. In that case, Goodson would find himself in a terrific situation.

While coaches had always raved about his ability, Goodson had never seen much work until last season, when injuries to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart thrust him into action. Goodson even started three games, during which he totaled 400 yards and a touchdown. Goodson is a huge threat as a receiver and clearly has skills, but his fantasy potential is tied to opportunity, and right now, both Williams and Stewart are ahead of him on the depth chart.

Solid back but buried below DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the RB depth chart.

Goodson is a sure-handed, speedy option out of the backfield, but the Panthers won't use him as more than their third ball-carrying option as long as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are both healthy. Keep an eye on Stewart, however, as he's battling an Achilles' injury during the offseason and the door could be open for Goodson to provide a complementary threat to Williams at some point in 2009.