I called it two months ago, but the gap in fantasy value between Cleveland Browns RBs Jerome Harrison and rookie Montario Hardesty has not only vanished, it's reversed. Word out of Cleveland is that despite Harrison's mammoth close to 2009, (he ran for over 550 yards in the final three games) he will have to compete with Hardesty for the starting gig.
Apparently the Browns brass aren't sold on Harrison anymore than I was.
With a short-arm quarterback in Jake Delhomme, and no air game to speak of, the Browns will be running the ball quite a bit, so even if they split carries, Hardesty should get a decent workload in Cleveland this season. That said, even with a heavy workload, his fantasy value may be limited in 2010.
Hardesty has the size to be a "featured back" in the NFL, at 6'0" and 225 pounds, and so far this spring Hardesty has impressed everyone who's seen and talked to him. When training camp opens on July 31st, his fantasy value will likely spike. Goodbye sleeper status.
Montario's value has as much to do with his competition, Jerome Harrison, as his own abilities. Sure Harrison had some big games in 2009, but they came against the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. Other than that, what has he done in his 4 year career? Expect him to become the team's change of pace back.
Summary: Right now Hardesty's ADP is 33, and he's a safe pick up to about 25. I currently have him ranked 27th. After that he's overvalued for a rookie splitting carries on a bad offensive team.
