WAS Portis expected to earn starting RB role

Don't be surprised if Clinton Portis is among the top candidates for this season's NFL comeback player of the year award.

Although Portis has said little about his personal goals for 2010, the eight-year veteran is determined to show he's still an elite back capable of rushing for a 1,500-yard season, people familiar with his thinking said recently. Eager to prove his critics wrong, Portis has done everything Coach Mike Shanahan has asked of him, team sources said, and is expected to hold off fellow Pro Bowl backs Larry Johnson and Willie Parker for the starting job. Portis has surprised many in the organization with his positive outlook and hard work throughout the offseason program.

The news isn't really a shock and it looks like you can move Portis up your draft board at running back, at least slightly. Before this news, he's rated as RB number-44 at 4for4.com with an ADP of the 11th round. Roles will still have to be determined, of course, but Portis is probably the best of the three candidates and has apparently impressed the organization. He could be a productive mid-to-late round pick if things work out.