Last year at this time Steelers' running back Willie Parker was one of the most coveted players at his position in fantasy footaball. He was coming off a 2006 season in which he amassed 1712 total yards and 16 TD's. However, much has changed since then.

Parker was frustrating in 2007. He was leading the league in yards when he went down to a knee injury in Week 16, but he only scored two touchdowns. New Steelers' head coach Mike Timlin opened up Pittsburgh's passing attack and Parker became an afterthought at the goalline as Najeh Davenport (now departed) often came in to relieve him as Pittsburgh approached the end zone.

The Steelers, not happy with their backfield options, spent the first round pick in April's draft on Rashard Mendenhall and signed free agent Mewelde Moore. Mendenhall is a strong runner and will be force running between the tackles. Moore is a versatitle player and immediately becomes Pittsburgh's best receiving option out of the backfield. Both players figured to be involved in the team's gameplan on a weekly basis.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin outlined Mendenhall's role as a "supplemental runner."

"The growth of his role will be determined on his ability to execute from an assignment standpoint, how he deals with being a professional athlete," the coach told the Pittsburgh-Tribune as camp opened last week.

As an advanced pass-blocker and good receiver, Mendenhall shouldn't have an issue with missing assignments. Mendenhall could be used similarly to Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, as a short-yardage back with a prominent role in the passing game.

Coming off major off-season surgery is concern as is the recent workload. Back-to-back seasons with more than 320 carries appears to have taken its toll on Parker and his small frame.

He still has a chance to proudce for owners in 2008, but based off his peformance the last two years Parker will likely be overpaid for in your draft this year. You saw it happen in the GSI Mock Draft last month when Ian Preuth tabbed him the 12th overall pick. I say he is a RB3 at best and while he sees a spike in yardage leagues. He is currently ranked  29th on our GSI Cheat Sheet. 

Did you miss our RB Breakdown on GetSportsRadio.com? Check it out below:
Fantasy Playbook - RB Breakdown - join myself and Larry Schmitt as we preview fantasy wideouts.