Mike Turner Moving Up The Boards
May 15, 2008 at 6:37 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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More and more fantasy owners are believing the buzz about new Falcons featured back Michael Turner, and they should. He’s moving up the draft boards in many expert mocks, due to the fact that Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey plans on getting him 300 touches in 2008.
At the age of 26, Michael Turner is in the perfect position. He just signed a lucrative free agent contract with a team that has absolutely zero expectations for the 2008 season. He’s spent the last four seasons as Ladainian Tomlinson’s primary back-up, showing burst, power and speed at every single opportunity. He enters a run-first offense with an improved offensive line after Atlanta selected Sam Baker in the first round, and has very little tread on the tires.
Turner only has 228 career carries, a number he’ll easily surpass this season alone. The question is, can his 5.5 yards per carry average stay in tact? Honestly, we believe it can. Even if it’s one full yard less, he’ll still post breakout fantasy digits. Another key thing to remember is that just because Mularkey plans on using him in a “between the tackles” Jerome Bettis-type role, he’ll still make big plays. In each of his last three seasons he’s converted on at least one 70 yard run, and in 2007 he converted seven plays of 20 or more yards in only 80 attempts.
He’s looking good in Falcons camp people, and not to spoil a good fourth round sleeper for you, but if this guy’s available in the late second round of your 12 team draft - he’ll be worth the selection. The more he slides after that, the more phenomenal of a value he is.
Prior to the NFL Draft, comparisons were being made between he and Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams as breakout fantasy backs. I’m not even a huge Jonathan Stewart believer, but I still think Turner is head and shoulders above Williams at this point. His value is climbing and it will only continue to.
To see where Turner ranks in our Top 700 overall dynasty fantasy football rankings for the 2008 season, sign up for our premium Ultimate Strategist Package package. We post our official 2008 Dynasty Rankings, Seasonal Rankings and Keeper Rankings on the Ultimate Strategist Package forum, and we encourage you to click here and sign up. Note: if you’re not registered for the No-Offseason.com forums yet, do so first, then click on the link above.
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