Too much risk involved with Helu? I'm beginning to think so.
John Keim on Twitter has recently reported that Redskins RB Roy Helu has not one, but TWO, "sore" Achilles tendons which isn't good news for anyone looking to draft the youngster. The real issue is the actual interpretation of this news and whether or not this said interpretation means we all should be turning our notice towards fellow RB Evan Royster.
Roy Helu actually has Achilles Tendinitis, which is where the soreness is coming from. Achilles Tendinitis is caused from a variety of influences mostly including overpronation and lack of flexibility.
The problem is this: Helu has already said that the issue in the left tendon is nothing new—good to know NOW—but it has never been this extreme. NOW, Helu is dealing with the OTHER Achilles as well which is even worse news that hints towards the problem being a chronic one.
Look I'm no doctor, but I don't have to be one to realize that a reoccurring Achilles issue is certainly not good for a 23 year old RB in the NFL. As a fantasy writer, however, I do think it's my responsibility to suggest to the masses that Roy Helu is shaping up to be an 8th round RB that offers very limited security, and perhaps owners should begin looking away from him.
Does that, then, mean owners should be turning their attention toward fellow RB Evan Royster?
Royster surely has the backing of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and this IS the same guy who is the All-Time leading rusher out of Penn State, but is he worth his current 10th round ADP asking price?
Well, that depends.
By the time the 10th round comes traipsing along you'll already have your two main RBs selected—if you don't, you need some serious help from our Fantasy Football Training Program, and perhaps a good swift slap across the face from a good friend.
At this point in the draft you'll likely be gearing towards building a competent bench (talking about RB candidates here) that will eventually fill in the bye weeks or even potentially become that "diamond in the rough" you and every other Tom, Dick and Harry are hoping for.
Royster does have some potential to be that guy, especially if he continues to see more and more first-team reps and it appears this is now the situation in Washington, but he will need to show owners a bit more than his sluggish preseason performance thus far to truly trust his selection so late.
There are only two other 10th round RBs to choose from including Rashard Mendenhall (Pitt - not expected back until October at the least) and Mikel Leshoure (Det, already is dealing with a "comeback" from his OWN torn Achilles tendon)...not exactly what I would call choice-cut meat.
If you're looking to draft earlier for your RB bench, I would certainly recommend Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings or Falcon's RB Jacquizz Rodgers who are both better than average picks out of the 9th.
Again, your decision will greatly depend on when and where you want to fill in the blanks. If Royster begins to impress and you want to wait until the 10th, I say go for it. If you aren't convinced by the time your draft comes along and wanna grab someone else, both Jennings and Rodgers are more than suitable considerations.
Good luck this season, everyone!
