Fantasy debate: My case for Marion Barber

Marion Barber got 20 or more touches in a game just three times last season. He surpassed 100 yards on each occasion, averaging 115.3.

Now imagine what he's going to do when he gets 20-plus opportunities in almost every game this year.

Make no mistake about it: Barber has a chance to be the most improved back in the NFL this season without really improving at all. With sidekick Julius Jones no longer around and only a rookie who was second-string on his college team threatening to cut into his touches, Barber can be counted upon to vastly improve his production in 2008.

How much? Consider this: When Joseph Addai went from part-time back to fulltime with the Colts last season under similar circumstances, his touchdown total jumped from eight to 15 - and that was despite missing one game with an injury and basically two others after his club was locked into playoff position.

Is it possible Barber could go from 12 TDs to, say, 20 this season? History says yes.

In fact, it wouldn't be such a huge jump at all when you consider he scored 16 TDs in that same part-time role in 2006. Maybe we should be talking 24 TDs as his expectation.

So here we have a guy who's bound to average more than 100 yards a game and could score more than 20 touchdowns. And you're considering taking who?

LaDainian Tomlinson? OK. Adrian Peterson? That's fine.

But Brian Westbrook? I wouldn't.

Westbrook is a quality back. A bit fragile, but good nonetheless. If I had the seventh pick in the draft, I'd strongly consider him.

But at 4, 5 or 6, with Barber still available? Give me the more durable guy who's on the rise and plays on the much higher-scoring team. That's Barber.

For Hostetter's case for Brian Westbrook, click here.