Steve Slaton | Houston Texans | 5-foot-9, 200 pounds | 3rd year

2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

Pros: He's still a key component in Houston's backfield and is expected to contribute mainly on third down. Count him as a capable receiver (94 career catches) in a system that loves to air it out. He wants to keep his playing weight between 202 and 205 pounds, his physique during his stellar rookie campaign. 

Cons: Slaton is coming back from cervical neck fusion surgery - a sensitive procedure for any football player. He recently was diagnosed with turf toe but says it won't be much of a problem for him. Slaton also suffered a sophomore slump - his yards-per-carry average dwindled to 3.3 from 4.8 in '08. Fumbles clouded his role even before he was placed on Injured Reserve; Slaton attributes the fumbles to the neck injury, though. Arian Foster is currently running with the first team and should see the bulk of the work. Houston lost O-line coach Alex Gibbs, which could hold back the backfield. 

Fantasy tip: Don't be comfortable drafting Slaton as anything more than a low-end No. 4 back in PPR leagues, considering the surgery he underwent, the toe injury and his limited role. His 13th-round placement in non-PPRs is fair. In PPRs, though, he's more worthy of a ninth- or 10th-round selection. He goes in the stage where many other backs also have workload questions, but his leg-up in reception potential makes him more attractive despite the risks.