Le'Ron

McClain

Le’Ron McClain and Jackie Battle will be afterthoughts. Although the Chiefs’ offensive line is one of the premier run-blocking units in the league, we don’t have high hopes for anyone to emerge here from a fantasy perspective. McCluster is just 5'8/170 and can’t handle a full workload, but note that he does have wide receiver eligibility in most fantasy formats. Jones has averaged just 3.62 yards per carry over his last 18 games.

“We’ll do whatever we’ve got to do to win the game,” Muir said. “Wherever (Jones has) been, he’s loved to carry the ball.” With Dexter McCluster expected to be limited to 10-to-14 touches per game, Jones will shoulder the rest of the load. He has no upside, but is at least worth a flier in deeper leagues. Le’Ron McClain and Jackie Battle could eventually be in line for carries, but for now they’re off the radar in even exceptionally deep formats.

“I have to admit, I was very supportive of him on whichever way he wanted to go,” said Harbaugh, “but I felt like he’d call me back in a day or two and he’d change his mind because that’s a big decision. But he didn’t, he was very firm on it.” Speculation has the Ravens considering a reunion with Le’Ron McClain as a backup tailback and fullback.

“He’s versatile. He can do several things,” Crennel said. “He can block. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s good in (blitz) pickup.” McClain has also been connected to Baltimore, where he would ostensibly return as a backup at both tailback and fullback.

Free agent Mike Tolbert is likely moving on, which would certainly be good news for the fantasy prospects of Ryan Mathews. McClain thinks he’s a tailback, but he’s really a true lead-blocker and pass-protector with limited rushing ability. In his career, McClain has averaged just 3.8 yards-per-carry on 329 totes.

Smith mentioned both lines as higher priorities, and said that adding a No. 2 rusher is “on the back burner right now.” He went on to point out the long list of veteran backs still available. The Chargers are very likely to draft a middle-round back, but Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai, and Jackie Battle are among the available free agents. Currently, Le’Ron McClain is slotted in as the No. 2.

McClain has been eying more of a ball-carrying role since leaving Baltimore two seasons ago. He handled 232 carries back in 2008, but has only 89 since. The Chargers are sure to add some tailback depth to compete with Ryan Mathews and Curtis Brinkley, so expecting anything more than a half dozen carries per game from McClain is irrational. He won’t be worth fantasy consideration unless Mathews goes down with an injury.

Jackie Battle (foot) is out. McClain has just 13 carries in 15 games this season, but did rush 232 times in one season for the Ravens back in 2008. Look for some kind of three-headed monster with Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster and McClain.

Per the Union-Tribune, “it’s no secret Turner likes [Ronnie] Brown.” With Mathews tentatively expected to miss the first two weeks, we’re expecting Brown to spearhead the rotation. “Yeah,” Turner said with a smile. “He could be the guy.” Realistically, we’d expect something around 12-18 total touches rather than 20 carries. Le’Ron McClain and Curtis Brinkley will also see reps.

Fullback Le’Ron McClain and backup Curtis Brinkley are also capable of handling the role, but Mathews will be given the opportunity to become one of the NFL’s rare three-down backs. With Michael Tolbert out of the picture, Mathews could surpass 60 receptions this year. PPR leaguers, take note.