RB Jerious Norwood, ATL

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2009 Outlook: Quality Backup

Michael Turner is the unquestioned number one backfield option for the Atlanta Falcons; however Jerious Norwood is an excellent complementary backfield mate who complements the downhill, hard nosed running style of Turner. Norwood carried the ball 6 or fewer times in 13 of the Falcons' 16 games in 2008, and the three times he carried the ball 14, 11, and 13 times were against Detroit, Kansas City, and Oakland (the #30-32 run defenses in 2008).

The totals look better than the game-by-game breakdown as he had 489 rush yards, four rush TDs (two in Week 17) and 338 receiving yards and two receiving TDs on 36 catches with one fumble. While the receptions stats were career-highs, the rushing yardage was a career-low.

One thing is for sure: Norwood is fast as he's averaged 6.4, 6.0 and 5.1 yards per carry in his first three seasons. Expect Norwood to try and take advantage of the playing time he gets as he's scheduled to be a free agent after the '09 season. He's a must-draft as an insurance policy for Michael Turner and a quality backup RB selection in the middle rounds of 2009 fantasy drafts with upside.

Update 8/21

Norwood followed up Michael Turner's impressive debut with 6 carries for 22 yards in the Falcons' pre-season opener. Norwood will likely see an increase in carries this season as Atlanta tries to limit Turner from exceeding 376 carries. The biggest question still remains: Will Norwood see enough carries to have an impact every single week? The answer (at least for the moment) remains to be seen, but Norwood is an intriguing backup to watch this season who could see an increased role at any moment.

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2009 Mock Draft Results