As a Texas graduate, I've always held a special place in my heart for Dr. Ganja. So it was good to see him return strong last season. But as the year wore on, it became apparent that Ronnie Brown was the back with more explosiveness. Barring an injury, that trend should continue.
('09 Proj: 700 total yds, 3 touchdowns) ~Jeremy Fischer
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America’s favorite Holistic Healer will turn 32 in May, not exactly a great age for an NFL running back. Though there is less tread on his tires than would be expected at this point in his career (thanks to a little bit of time off courtesy of the league’s drug policy and his own whims), barring a Ronnie Brown injury, Williams will be nothing more than a complementary piece this season. I wouldn’t touch him for all the ganja in Jamaica.
('09 proj: 100 carries, 405 yards, 3 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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Williams did just enough (659 yards, 4 touchdowns) to keep himself off the waiver wire last year; not good enough to start but not bad enough to cut, especially with Ronnie Brown only in his first season back from an ACL injury. However, with Ronnie Brown now in year two post-ACL, Williams will be hard pressed (at age 32) to match last year’s totals. I’d have no problem if you wanted to add Williams as your facebook friend, as he seems like a real “mellow” dude, but unless you draft Ronnie Brown earlier in the draft and need insurance in the last couple rounds, I don’t see any reason to add Williams to your fantasy team.
('09 Proj: 320 yds, 2 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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After being overhyped in the pre-season as the second coming of, well, himself, he ended up with blah stats. Not awful, but nothing to write home about. He will enter the year at 32 years old and Ronnie Brown is the clear #1 from day one unlike 2008. At best he puts up numbers similar to last season but even those may be a "pipe" dream.
('09 Proj: 130 carries, 494 yds, 2 touchdowns, 16 rec, 110 yds, 0 TDs) ~Robb Perkins
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Re-emerged last season in the Dolphins Wildcat offense with 659 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. Ronnie Brown is still the clear top option in the backfield, meaning Ricky Williams shouldn’t be counted on for consistent numbers. Nothing more than a #4 fantasy back at this point.
('09 Proj: 550 yds, 4 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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Still one of the toughest runners in the league with good power and versatility. A popular sleeper pick last season due to speculation about teammate Ronnie Brown’s knee injury. While he split carries almost evenly with Brown last year, Williams will take a more traditional backup role in 2009, rendering him a fantasy afterthought.
(’09 Proj: 120 carries, 600 total yds, 4 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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The age of 32 is generally kryptonite for an NFL running back. I'm not completely sold on the fact that Ronnie Brown isn't flat out "injury prone" at this point in his career, but even if Williams was thrust into a larger role I highly doubt the legs would respond with numbers to make you regret diverting your eyes at this year's draft. If he's still available extremely late, I'd pair him with Brown if things unfolded that way. Otherwise, I'd rather take a pot-shot at unearthing a late-round rookie/sophomore buried on the depth chart of a sneaky-good situation.
('09 Proj: 100 carries, 570 total yds, 1 touchdown) ~Rick Perkins
