Fantasy Football 2014: Keep An Eye On Edwin Baker

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The NFL offseason is quickly approaching. After this week, the fantasy football playoff editions will be in full swing. Many fantasy managers enjoy playing these games to try and find some late-season glory after either successful or a disappointing fantasy football season.

Week 17 is a very important week for fantasy managers. Yes, if it is your league’s championship week it is obviously huge. However, if your season ended last weekend or even before that, this is a week to do some scouting on players that may be big for you next season.

Like many fantasy football managers, the running back position is a very important part of your team. If you can pick up a nice steal late in the draft next season, you really struck gold. One player that looks like he may be a nice pickup next season is Edwin Baker of the Cleveland Browns.

Baker was unheard of for most of the season. He was a former seventh round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers. He was getting no playing time in San Diego and was cut by the team. His old coach, Norv Turner, is now the offensive coordinator of the Browns. Baker was brought in to add depth to the Browns’ running back position.

The Browns have struggled to get really any production from their running backs, especially after the trade of Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns may have found some lightening in a bottle when they picked up Baker.

Now the Browns may draft a running back in this year’s draft. If they do, then Baker may be a back up in this offense. However, the Browns have needs at quarterback and other positions. If the Browns do not get a quality back in the draft, I can see Baker getting his shot with the Browns at the beginning of the season. If this happens, Baker could be a really nice pick up late in your fantasy football draft next season.

If you want to take a look at his numbers at the end of the season, he suited up three games for the Browns and averaged 57 yards per game, and took it into the end zone for a touchdown twice. That’s pretty good for a guy that only a had a few weeks to learn the offense.

During every season, there is always those one or two running backs that show up out of nowhere. I am not saying that Baker will be the 2014 Player of the Year in fantasy football, I am just simply saying that you should keep an eye on the Browns’ running back situation this offseason. It could payoff for your team in 2014.

Dom DeCarlo is a Fantasy blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him @DomDecarlo1, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.