Lots of touches expected for Ryan Mathews
When the Chargers released LaDainian Tomlinson this off-season, it was expected that they would draft a running back to be "featured" in the offense.
So, it was little surprise when the Chargers traded up into the 12th-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to make Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews the second running back selected. (Buffalo selected Clemson's C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick.)
And even though they brought back Darren Sproles for a hefty sum, he's a dynamic (yet smaller) back that is better suited to continue in his role as the team's third-down back.
"... there are games that come up like the Tennessee game and the Denver game (last season) where you run the ball 40 times. I’d like every game to be that way. Unfortunately, it’s not. But I would expect Ryan to have 250 carries and 40 catches, something like that. That’s obviously saying Darren is going to have the same role he’s had," coach Norv Turner said, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
In 2009, 250 carries would have ranked a rusher tenth in the league in between Baltimore's Ray Rice (254) and Denver's Knowshon Moreno (247).
Mathews, who finished second in rushing in college football, will be the top-rated rookie running back in my fantasy football (rookie) rankings later this week.
