Will Michael Turner be a top 10 running back by the end of the season?

Question

Will Michael Turner be a top 10 running back by the end of the season?

Answer 1

The more I think about it, the more I feel he won't.

Whenever he came in to play for the Chargers he always got a ton of yardage...which leads me to believe that the Chargers have a superior offensive line. I can't say the same about Atlanta. Plus, Atlanta will have a rookie/shuffle at the QB position, which will allow most defenses to stack the line, shut down the run, and dare them to pass.

Answer 2

Its one thing when you are the man

Its another thing whenyou back up the man

There are 10 RB's that are better than him right now

so I would say no, he will not be a top 10 RB by the end of the season

Answer 3

I think it's possible.  If you list the current top 10 by "expert" projections, then do your own analysis, it's not too difficult to see Turner burst into the top tier of RBs.  If not top 10, then I could definitely see him finishing up as a top 12 RB.

Here's the current list:

LT

AP

Westbrook

Addai (Not Stephen Jax till he proves he can stay on the field)

Gore

Portis

Barber

Stephen Jackson

Marshawn Lynch

Larry Johnson

Stephen Jackson and Larry Johnson both have serious health concerns, and Lynch only has one season under his belt.  

If you need another reason, last season provides a perfect example:

Jamal Lewis

Lewis was thought to be washed up.  He ended up scoring in the top 12 RBs in points last season, after being a late round afterthought in fantasy drafts.  Turner has the same opportunity with Atlanta, but is younger and fresher.  Atlanta isn't explosive in the passing game, so they'll be leaning on Turner and Norwood more than Cleveland used Lewis last season.

All signs point to Turner having a big year.

Answer 4

No, I don't even see him top in his division. I'd put him at 4th in the NFC South behind DeAngelo Williams (Carolina), Reggie Bush (New Orleans), and Jonathan Stewart (Carolina).