Fantasy Spin: Felix Jones The Next Julius?

Fantasy FanHouse will be chiming in throughout the NFL draft with fantasy analysis of each fantasy relevant pick.

The Cowboys, out of the Bill Parcells regime, let Julius Jones go after Marion Barber, III, had become their elite running back. And with good reason. Now, it appears the speedy Felix Jones will be taking his spot as the change-of-pace, home-run type back in the Cowboys offense.

It might be tough for Jones to actually be fantasy relevant next year. Because of MB3's talent, and status as goalline back, Jones will probably only be able to accrue fantasy points for owners in 2008 by breaking off long runs when he's given touches. It still seems likely that he will get at least 10 carries a game though, which could make him valuable. For single league purposes, expect to only draft Jones in the late rounds as a handcuff or upside bench pick, barring a holdout by Barber.

Keeper leagues will be faced with a different quandry though. It seems unlikely that the Cowboys would want to let Barber walk, so Jones may struggle to be really relevant, really quickly. If that's case, meaning Barber stays in Dallas, Jones has to be considered at best the fourth, maybe fifth best fantasy running back option taken so far in the first round (behind Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall and possibly Chris Johnson) so far.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-26-2008 @ 9:50PM

ed said...

DAQLLAS IS ONE RUNNING BACK AWAY FROM THE SUPER BOWL OR PLAY OFFS HOPE FELIXS COMES IN MOTIVATED AND HELPS THE COWBOYSWIN BIG TIME IT,S BEEN YEARS OF DISAPPOINTMENTS HERE INDALLAS ROMO CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH

4-26-2008 @ 10:35PM

jeff said...

YES SIR ED,HE LOOKED GOOD ON TAPE.
GO COWBOYS

4-26-2008 @ 11:23PM

keith said...

Dallas defense is what lost them the superbowl plus Romo and the offense kinda' choked on that last drive. I like Felix as our selection. I wish Dallas would have gotten Talib from Kansas. I also hope they get a veteran WR like Chad Johnson. With Glenn's return being unpredictable, it would be nice to ship him to Miami and get someone else. Dallas has a tough schedule this year so I hope they can match last years record and win the Superbowl.

4-27-2008 @ 7:39AM

ART CHURCHWELL said...

FELIX JONES LOOKS LIKE A SOLID PICK. SO DOES JENKINS AND BENNET. FROM WHAT I SAW THE FIRST DAY, I BELIEVE THE COWBOYS MAY HAVE PULLED ANOTHER SLEEPER DRAFT. THAT IS WHEN THEY DRAFT PLAYERS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT SOONER BETTER THAN LATER. AND THEY WERE DRAFTED LOWER IN THE ORDER, WHICH MEANS THEY COST LESS, DO MORE, AND ARE HAPPY JUST TO BE ON THE ROSTER. THE ARROGANCE, DRUGS, AND ATTEMPTED MURDER COME LATER ON.

4-28-2008 @ 2:08PM

Bill said...

I think he will be better than Julius. He is an upgrade at the position and will fit in perfectly with Marion Barber!

http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/cowboyscorner/

http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/nfldraftcoverage/

4-27-2008 @ 11:20PM

Phil said...

GOOD PICK, AND YOUNG LEGS. BROKE MORE BIG RUNS THAN DARREN.

4-28-2008 @ 9:44PM

Mr.G said...

Felix is never going to be a big time RB.Why pay him first round money?Wouldn't it have made more sense to re-sign Julius,then package a couple draft picks for either Chad or Boldin or Roy Williams? If the 'Boys would have offered all 3 of those teams some kind of package,1 of them would have bit.