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Last season started out very slow for Mark as he had a rookie quarterback under center in Baltimore. No.89 also found himself as the second receiver in the offense again, behind Derrick Mason.
This year look for Clayton to take another step on his way to being a solid fantasy receiver.
For one the Ravens finally have a legit quarterback in Joe Flacco. Joe will become a better passer (especially touchdowns) every year from here on out.
Derrick Mason is getting old and while he will still be productive, I believe the wear and tear of the NFL will hold him back more every year. Also Tod Heap is having problems returning to from a bad back.
Clayton is now heading into his 4th season in the league and should start to show the reasons why he was a mid 1st round pick out of Oklahoma.
Mark Clayton's Fantasy Football Value in 2009
I believe next season in 2010 Clayton will truly bust out for a big fantasy season. But this year look for him to at least get back to his rookie totals of 67 receptions for 939 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Mark could even give you 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns, but that will depend on how healthy Mason can stay this year. In the end Clayton makes for a very nice No.4 receiver in your fantasy football draft.
Fantasy Assets: - Good Skills - Mason's skills are on the decline - Solid Offensive Line
Fantasy Liability's: - Run first offense - While QB is good he is still young
Rice showed flashes of being a good runner in the NFL last year. But Ray was held back most of the year, being the third runner in a three man committee.
This off-season Willis McGahee had another surgery on his knee and some doubt he will come back and play much or at all this year.
At the start of June camps, McGahee has already been demoted to the second string behind Rice. When Willis was asked about his feelings on the demotion, he told reporters, "work is work."
Now for the record McGahee has never been shy of letting people know when he's not happy. So to see him satisfied with any work at all, should tell you he's not right physically.
LeRon McClain will still get the goal line work
While Rice is the most talented runner overall in the Ravens offense. It will be LeRon McClain that receives most of the work inside the red zone, as the Ravens will use him to pound out the tough yards.
Ray Rice's Fantasy Football Value in 2009
If in fact McGahee can not play effectively this year, Rice will be a 1,000 yard runner this season. Beyond a good rushing total, Rice also supports solid hands for the receiving game, as he had 33 receptions a year ago. Ray will also benefit from a run friendly coordinator in Cam Camren and a strong offensive line.
Even with all those positives the man won't be a No.2 runner for your fantasy team until he can take some of the touchdowns (Rice had zero TD's in 2008) away from McClain.
Until that time Rice will be a boom or bust runner in 2009. Mainly because when he does score a touchdown it will come from a distance. If you select Rice as a fill in player for your fantasy team, just remember he will at least make a great start four weeks (against Bengals and Browns) out of the year.
Fantasy Assets: - Good Overall Skills - Great Offensive Line - Run Heavy Offense - Good Hands
Fantasy Liability's: - Touchdowns - Watch McGahee's progress
