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COREY DILLON
RB - Patriots
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Comments from Shawn Griffin - 6/21
The current New England Patriot and former University of Washington star is currently an answer to one of the top bar-stool trivia questions: “What three current NFL running backs are ranked in the Top 20 for career rushing yards?”
Dillon, with 10,429 yards, currently ranks 17th all-time as he enters his 10th season and third with the New England Patriots. Dillon ranks ahead of such luminaries as Earl Campbell, Joe Perry and Ottis Anderson. During his nine-year career, Dillon has rushed for more than 1,000 yards seven times and rushed for at least seven touchdowns six times. After being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997, Dillon has failed to average 4.0 or more yards per carry just three times during his career.
FANTASY UPSIDE
Dillon is a proven veteran back. After being acquired for a second-round pick prior to the 2004 NFL Draft, Dillon has been a model citizen in New England under the tutelage of Bill Belichek. Dillon is the consummate grinder who had held the league’s single game rushing mark with 287 yards in 2000 until being eclipsed by the Ravens Jamal Lewis who rushed for 295 yards in a game in 2003.
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
Dillon has rushed for over 1,000 yards just once in the past three seasons and has been plagued by leg injuries the past few years while missing seven games. Dillon has also failed to average more than 4.0 yards per carry in two of the last three seasons. Dillon has been known to be a ‘cancer’ in the locker room throughout his career, especially when he’s not given the ball as he prefers. With the selection of rookie Laurence Maroney in the first round, it is expected that Maroney will steal carries from the soon to be 32-year old veteran. Head coach Bill Belichek has already openly praised the work ethic and skills of the Minnesota Golden Gopher rookie.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Dillon will be the unquestioned starter at the beginning of the 2006 season. But it would be a complete surprise if the former Bengal malcontent receives more than 200 carries this season. Maroney will consistently gain additional carries throughout the year as he gains more experience in pass protection. Fantasy owners should be wary of drafting Dillon early and a better pick will be Maroney later in their drafts.
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Comments from Dale Lolley - 6/22
FANTASY UPSIDE
Corey Dillon followed up his career-year of 2004 with an injury-plagued season in 2005, prompting the Patriots to draft speedy and powerful Laurence Maroney, a guy with plenty of experience running in a zone-blocking system in college. But Dillon is still a better fit in Bill Belichick’s offense – remember, he scored 12 touchdowns in 12 games last season – and has been making noise in the media that people shouldn’t write him off just yet. He could be very motivated to perform.
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
After being incredibly durable in his first six seasons, Dillon has missed games in two of the past three seasons. Add to that the way Belichick handles injury news as if it were a national secret, and you have some cause to stay away from Dillon, who will turn 32 this season.
MY BOTTOM LINE
When healthy, Dillon has been a solid fantasy performer throughout his career. Though he doesn’t give you a lot as a receiver, he has reached double digits in touchdowns in both of his seasons in New England. But his career-low 3.5 yards per carry average last season is some cause for concern. That said, he’s a solid No. 2 fantasy back, even if he does lose some touches to Maroney this season, something that’s highly likely considering what the team has invested in the youngster. Dillon doesn’t have the breakaway speed that scared opponents earlier in his career, but he’s still a workhorse who will grind out yards between the tackles, something Maroney is unlikely to do.
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What Next?
Be sure to check out the following...
a)
Full Impact Draft Simulator
b)
Full Impact Customized Cheat Sheets
c)
Ultimate Cheat Sheets
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