NFL FANTASY PICKUP OF THE WEEK

November 21, 2005 6:00 PM ET

I kicked around quite a few candidates for the latest installment of "Pickup of the Week." Braylon Edwards, Chester Taylor, and Joe Nedney were all fine choices. Then I remembered that I just got done picking up a pretty good player on Sunday morning…and it got me thinking. So when I went back to look at the percentage owned stats in our commissioner service, they revealed that he still available in two thirds of the leagues out there.

Then is hit me like a pancake block: why is Dominic Rhodes still available?

The obvious reason is because he is a backup running back and has only touched the ball 31 times through 10 games.

I would argue that's not a good enough reason to leave him in the free agency pool…not at this juncture of the season. Look ahead at the next six games. I don't care what he's done to this point—though four touchdowns in his last six games isn't shabby—I care more about what he might do the rest of the way.

There are three very good reasons to pick up Rhodes immediately: 1. Edgerrin James insurance, 2. trade bait, 3. more playing time ahead. Allow me to elaborate.

First of all, if you have James and are still mathematically alive for your fantasy football league's postseason, you need to stop reading this article right now (I'll let it slide) and go pick up Rhodes as insurance to your MVP candidate. One of the cardinal rules of fantasy playoff preparation is to acquire insurance on your best players.

Secondly, if you don't have James and the trading deadline in your league is fast approaching (many leagues will have their deadlines in the next few weeks) you owe it to yourself to pick up Rhodes. Then you need to begin taunting the owner in your league who has Edge until he gives you that really good wide receiver your lineup has been in dire need of as the price for acquiring the insurance he should have had.

Thirdly, Rhodes' value could dramatically increase in the weeks ahead even if James does not get hurt. That's right; he's not just an insurance back. Seeing as how the Colts are 10-0, simple arithmetic tells me there is a very good chance they will have home field advantage in the playoffs wrapped up prior to the end of the season. At which point, it would behoove head coach Tony Dungy to take it a little easier on some of his key players.

This is not to suggest that the Colts would forego a shot at an undefeated season by benching all their starters.

However, let's say week 15 or 16 rolls around and the Colts have things wrapped up, whether they are undefeated or not. Who is the one player on their offense they are most likely to give the most time off?

It's not Peyton Manning. Between his great protection and quick release, he doesn't get knocked around or even touched very often. He'll start every game. The player on any offense that takes the hardest beating is the starting running back. They get hammered all year long by linebackers, safeties, and 300-pound linemen. And when you have a guy like James, who touches the ball 25-30 times on a regular basis, you know his bruises have bruises.

 

When you have a proven backup like Rhodes, you get him more involved and give James more plays off to keep him fresh for the playoffs. By week 16 or 17, if the Colts have things sewn up, I'd be shocked if Rhodes wasn't handling half the work for the best offense in football.

The Colts are averaging more than one rushing touchdown per game, so Rhodes could very well be a viable fantasy starter by the final few games of the year…just in time for your fantasy championship.

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