Answer Guys: Parker, White definitely undervalued
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What is your opinion on LenDale White and Willie Parker? I was shocked when I looked back and saw how good White's numbers were last season. I am now thinking he is a solid third-round option. I really don't know what to think of Willie Parker. Is he healthy or not? When healthy, I think he is a solid back who can carry a fantasy team.
DautenHJ
Dave: It continues to amaze me that fantasy owners will overlook the solid production of a veteran running back and fall for a newly drafted rookie backup. Owners can't help but think they might land the next big rookie, such as Adrian Peterson last season, on draft day. Even I get caught up in the madness at times -- Darren McFadden would be a good example of this.
Although I can understand the excitement surrounding McFadden this year, other youngsters such as Chris Johnson have emerged as exciting picks, and some of it deservedly so, but forgetting about White would be a major oversight. White has nice upside and deserves our attention, yet his perceived value has him going in the fifth round in drafts.
There are certain players, Ryan Grant for instance, who you draft a round earlier than expected because you might not get a crack at them in the next round. Of course, that depends upon where you're slotted in the draft, but having a "bookend pick" can justify reaching from time to time. White doesn't get enough credit for the numbers he put up last year, especially considering he ran the entire season on a bum knee. You shouldn't reach for him in the third round -- Willie Parker would go about there -- because you can probably get him a round or two later, but don't let him fall to "perceived" status either.
Speaking of Parker, when Pittsburgh drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of this year's NFL draft, it left doubts in many fantasy owners' minds that Parker would be able to handle the load as an every-down back. But let's be fair: Parker was also recovering from a broken fibula, and Mendenhall served as a nice insurance plan, too. Parker is still one of the more undervalued players in drafts so far this year; you normally can't get a guy who has averaged 1,337 rushing yards over the past three seasons in the third round.
Of course, the primary reason Parker has been falling is because he scored only two touchdowns last season, but most of that can be credited to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers' effective passing game, along with the fact that coach Mike Tomlin didn't use Parker much in goal-line situations in 2007. But word out of Steelers camp is that Tomlin is considering Parker more for goal-line carries. Obviously, that remains to be seen, and the Steelers' passing game looks adept again this year, but there's no way Parker ends up with that many yards and only two touchdowns again in 2008. As far as his health goes, Parker's leg is fine. He has been practicing and playing in preseason games and hasn't had any setbacks. Expect almost all of the workload to go Parker's way in 2008, with Mendenhall stealing some carries near the goal line. The bottom line here is that you're right: Parker is a solid back who can carry a fantasy team.
I'm in a point-per-reception keeper league that awards six points per passing touchdown. My three potential keepers are Joseph Addai, Maurice Jones-Drew and Drew Brees. Obviously I'm keeping Addai, but who should I keep from the other two?
Mike Huntoon

Who should I draft: Chester Taylor or DeAngelo Williams? As an aside, I won't have Adrian Peterson or Jonathan Stewart on my team.
NYGBallin13
Dave: Draft Williams. Taylor isn't expected to get nearly as much action as Williams will this year. In fact, Williams has a good chance of getting the bulk of the carries in Carolina this season, even with Stewart vying for playing time. There's no denying Stewart's talent, but as the incumbent, Williams gets first crack to hold the job down for the Panthers. In Minnesota, there's no issue with the Vikings as far as who will be carrying the ball the majority of the time. Peterson is the man, and Taylor is definitely the backup. Other than simple running back depth, the only reason I'd want Taylor on my roster in ESPN standard leagues is as a handcuff to Peterson. I'm projecting Williams as a good flex or RB3 option in 2008, and he's your man.
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