With the recent news suggesting that the Chiefs could be looking to shop RB Larry Johnson, fantasy owners have been emailing us like crazy asking us what this all means for the 2007 fantasy season. While a trade is NOT likely, Johnson does have a clause in his contract that allows him to void the final two years of his deal after this season, thus allowing him to test free agency entering 2008. This makes it a little interesting as far as trade possibilities go. This also is creating a lot of buzz on the fantasy news wires all around, suggesting that Kansas City is prepared to invest a high 2007 draft pick on a running back this Saturday. While this could be true, don’t expect this to affect Johnson unless the team takes someone like Michael Bush or Chris Henry, or unless Johnson starts talking about holding out. If this heads in that direction, then fantasy owners have a reason to be concerned.
Until then, even with a dimishing offensive line and huge 2006 workload behind him, keep Johnson in your top three overall for the 2007 season and expect at least 1,500 rushing yards and 14TDs. Last year was his first full season as a starter in the NFL and he had only started 12 games prior to last year. His wheels are just fine.
The most recent news on Turner suggests that Chargers GM A.J. Smith is open to the idea of trading his back-up rusher for a high 2007 2nd round pick. It is also believed, according to a few sources, that Smith would also accept a 2008 draft pick instead of a 2007, if the deal was to his liking. What does all this mean? Our guess is that Turner gets traded on draft day, or the day before. Some inside sources believe a deal will end up happening, so stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed. If Michael “The Burner” Turner is starting for Tennessee, or other, in 2007, he could end up being a top 10 fantasy running back (or better).
It is also important to note that Willis McGahee and Joseph Addai and Reggie Bush were all very close to grabbing that last and final spot at number 10. Of the three, Joseph Addai, mostly due to his situation, has probably the most likely chance of cracking the top ten in 2007, but we just couldn’t move him ahead of Portis just yet.
