After helping lead the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory, James Starks entered last year with some serious promise.
However, unfortunate injuries and the return of Ryan Grant led to a much lighter load (133 fewer carries) for Starks last season.
Photo Via TotalPackers.com
Starks had one fewer carry than Grant, but finished with 19 more yards and averaged 0.1 more yards per carry. Grant scored one more touchdown, but Starks had three more explosive 20+ yard plays.
It was a mixed bag through the air as well. Grant chalked up a score and more yards (268 to 216), but Starks caught more passes (29 to 19). Starks is just 26 and has less wear on his tires with 162 fewer career carries.
Grant, 29, has carried the ball 924 times in his career and is still searching for a new home for this fall. It’s clearly Starks’ turn to take on the lead role out of the backfield for the Packers.
Obviously Green Bay is a pass-oriented offense, so I will temper my expectations. However, the team should continue to possess one of the most potent offenses in 2012.
Without any serious competition for carries, Starks could become a solid RB3 and possibly even a borderline RB2.
I don’t envision a high-touchdown output from Starks since it’s often Aaron Rodgers time when the team is near the goal line.
Still, if Starks can break the occasional long run and manage to pile on the yards, he could light up the stats sheet.
Given his current Mock Draft Central ADP of 104, he could prove to be a very nice value pick for fantasy owners.
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