Le'Ron McClain

With Willis McGahee banged up again and Ray Rice not being able to take over the leading role in Baltimore Leron McClain is worth the risk. McClain has led the Ravens in rushing each week, leads the team in touchdowns and is on pace to have a 1000 yard season with 12+ TD's while only having a limited role up to this point. He ranks 22nd in overall fantasy points by RB's in standard scoring systems with 1 less game and an average of 15 less carries than the guys ahead of him. With Mcgahee continuously showing an inability to stay healthy and the Ravens reliance on the run game with rookie Joe flacco still trying to find his way McClain provides huge upside.

Last week McClain put up 64 yards and a Teeder while only playing the 2nd half against the leagues 2nd best Rush Defense in the Ravens (69 yds/game). The next 4 weeks the Ravens will have more favorable matchups against the run in Indy (31st), Oakland (18th), Cleveland (21st) and Miami (9th). The Ravens are rush heavy in that 61% of their offense is based around the run. McClain is also the second leading reciever on the team in receptions and yards and 30% of Flacco's passes this season have been to the RB.

McGahee's injury situation will ultimately depend on how valuable McClain is long term but certainly Baltimore, who is off to a 2-1 start, will not wait on McGahee to get it together when McClain is effective. At 6-0 260 pounds he has the look of a Hall of Famer in Jerome Bettis but really favors the running style of Brandon Jacobs who proved how great he could be once Tiki retired.

Author: Jeff Dowell
Email: jdncsu350@hattywaiverwireguru.com
(Email Jeff with any starter/trade advice needed)