Michael Bennett to the Bucs: Worth a pickup?
Michael Bennett, last seen riding the pine in Kansas City, was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday as the Bucs try desperately to patch up their RB stable following injuries to Cadillac Williams (season-ending) and Michael Pittman (4+ weeks).
What are the Bucs getting?
Bennett is an 8-year veteran who started his career as a 1st round pick by the Vikings in 2001. He got his chance to be the featured back in 2002, and rushed for 1,296 yards (5.1 per carry) while catching 37 passes for 351 yards (9.5 per) and scoring 6 TDs en route to his first and only Pro Bowl appearance.
Injuries and a crowded backfield kept Bennett from duplicating those numbers over the next three seasons, so he packed his bags and landed in Kansas City last year.
At 5′10″, 205 pounds, Bennett is a straight line burner but relatively limited when it comes to making tacklers miss and/or creating plays when the designated running lane isn’t open. At 29 years old, Bennett is getting to that age where one has to wonder if his foot speed (his primary asset) remains at an elite level. On the plus side, he’s only got 769 carries under his belt and should have some pounding left to take.
Should fantasy owners care?
Even in 2002, his lone moment of fantasy significance, Bennett was a below average TD producer. He moves to a team with offensive line issues, and a spotty history under HC Gruden of productive running backs (from a TD perspective). Add to that the presence of Earnest Graham and the recently acquired TD vulture Zack Crockett, and Bennett is very much a “SHOW ME” commodity. This is that time of year when owners are desperate to add any live body to their RB stable, so you can count on Bennett being acquired off waivers in many leagues. But don’t overpay for him, this isn’t a great situation regardless of his increased opportunity.
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