Fantasy Football Player Profile-LaDainian Tomlinson

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

2005 Stats: 1462 rushing yards, 370 receiving yards, 20 total TDs
Projected 2006 Stats: 1401 rushing yards, 410 receiving yards, 22 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 1st round
Running Backs to be Picked ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson: Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft LaDainian Tomlinson: The fewest yards L.T. has ever had in a single season was in his rookie campaign where he was held to just 1236 rushing yards. Tomlinson has always been a terrific receiver coming out of the backfield. In 2003, he had 100 receptions and over 700 receiving yards. Tomlinson is the model of consistency when it comes to fantasy football as he can basically be cemented in for at least 85 rushing yards and one touchdown in every game. In fact, Tomlinson scored a touchdown in ten games last season and also had six games where he had multiple scores.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting LaDainian Tomlinson: I cannot think of very many reasons to not draft Tomlinson. I guess you could pass on Tomlinson if you rank Shaun Alexander or Larry Johnson higher than Tomlinson.  The only other reason to possibly pass on L.T. would be the fact that teams will now stack the box even more than they were in previous years as Phillip Rivers does not figure to be quite the threat at quarterback yet that Drew Brees has been for the Chargers.  Therefore, teams are going to game plan to stop Tomlinson and make Rivers beat them, and because of that, Tomlinson’s stats could decrease from his previous stellar seasons.   

Bottom Line: Even if teams stack the box against Tomlinson, he will still find a way to get his yards, and there is nothing teams can do to keep this guy out of the end zone. Tomlinson should be a top three fantasy pick again this season. However, since his quarterback, Rivers is in his first year as an NFL starter, I would rank Alexander and Johnson ahead of Tomlinson, but you cannot go wrong with any of those three as your fantasy running back.

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