Ryan Grant: Have the Packers FINALLY found a RB?
The Packers have defied the odds this year. They currently rank dead last in rushing (492 yards) yet have soared to a 6-1 record thanks to a resurgent Brett Favre and an opportunistic defense.
Entering the season, the Packers running attack was considered a potential weakness, but no one could’ve predicted the litany of injuries:
- Vernand Morency was expected to shoulder the load but a lingering knee injury kept him out until Week 4; and he’s since been a non-factor
- Brandon Jackson, a rookie that some thought could be the answer, struggled mightily in the first three games and then suffered a shin injury. He’s since been out or inactive
- DeShawn Wynn, another rookie (7th rounder) was the surprise hit of the group. He barreled for 50 yards and 2 TDs against the Giants in Week 2 and then had back-to-back solid efforts against Chicago and Washington in Weeks 5 and 6. Coming off the Week 7 bye, it looked like the Packers were ready to give Wynn a chance at the feature role. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury early in the game and is now done for the season.
So what now?
Enter Ryan Grant. Grant, 6′1″, 218-pounds, was acquired late in the preseason from the Giants for a late round draft pick. Grant played at Notre Dame and was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005, spending most of his career on the Giants practice squad. As the Packers were scrambling for help at the position, Grant was considered an afterthought, a live body and little more.
But once Wynn went down on Monday night, Grant got his chance to shine. As I’m always fond of saying, the keys to fantasy success are Ability + Opportunity; and Grant made the most of his opportunity. He logged 22 carries for 104 yards against the Broncos, and caught 3 passes to boot.
Will Grant be the guy going forward?
It’s hard to project Grant for continued success; but he certainly will get at least one more week to prove the skeptics wrong.
“We always believed that he was a strong, one-cut runner, and I think he proved that tonight,” Packers personnel analyst John Schneider said. “He ran the ball hard, and he’s a tough guy who’s been waiting for an opportunity. He got his opportunity.”
“I think it’s safe to say Ryan Grant will be the starter when we got to Kansas City (on Sunday),” HC Mike McCarthy said.
It’s that time of the year when any RB or WR that MIGHT contribute will be acquired on waivers. Grant should absolutely be worth a few of your free agent dollars this week; but don’t get too crazy. Remember, the Broncos run defense has been horrendous at stopping the run this year.
- 235 attempts allowed (28th in the NFL)
- 1,162 yards allowed (31st in the NFL)
- 4.94 yards per rush allowed (31st in the NFL)
- 6 rushing TDs allowed (22nd in the NFL)
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