2007 Fantasy Football Player Profile-LaDainian Tomlinson

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

2006 Stats: 1815 rushing yards, 508 receiving yards, 31 total TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 1497 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards, 24 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 1st Round
Running Backs to be Picked ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson: None

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft LaDainian Tomlinson: The reasons to draft LaDainian Tomlinson are obvious.  He racked up 2323 total yards and dented the scoreboard 31 times in 2006.  Not to mention, Tomlinson has amassed over 1200 rushing yards and double digit touchdowns in every season in his six year career.  Furthermore, L.T. rushed for over 100 yards in ten regular season games last season, nine of which came in consecutive games.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson will be the first player taken in most drafts, which means the majority of fantasy owners won’t even be given an opportunity to pass on him. It is a real stretch to try and come up with a reason not to select Tomlinson, so please humor the following conspiracy theory: Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, and Walter Payton all had huge numbers in their sixth seasons only to have their statistics dip in their seventh season. Smith went from 1773 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns down to 1204 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Sanders had 1883 rushing yards in his sixth season plummet to 1500 rushing yards in his seventh year.  Payton had 1460 rushing yards evaporate into 1222 rushing yards the following season.  If that trend happens to continue, then you could see a Tomlinson’s numbers take a hit in 2007.         

Bottom Line: All conspiracy theories aside, Tomlinson is the most productive and reliable running back in the NFL.  He should be viewed as the overall No. 1 Running back in fantasy.

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