By Tim Graham
A countdown of my top 25 AFC East players continues, one weekday at a time ...
The choice
An injury and age kept Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson outside the top 10. But, as you'll be reminded while we reveal the remaining players over the next two weeks, there are a lot of elite players in the AFC East.
Jackson was jaw-droppingly good last season before a broken leg sent him to injured reserve. He rushed for 934 yards and six touchdowns and caught 39 passes for 442 yards in just 10 games.
At the time he got hurt, Jackson ranked second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage, had the most 100-yard games and was third in rushes of 20-plus yards. He was fourth in per-carry average, sixth in rushing touchdowns and fourth in first downs. He was third in rushing yards.
ProFootballFocus.com rated Jackson its top running back from last season. PFF calculated 637 of his rushing yards came after contact. On PFF's broken-tackles list, Jackson tied for sixth among all running backs with 34.
Fast fact
Jackson has only one 1,000-yard rushing campaign, but came 139 yards away from doing it three straight seasons: 73 yards short in 2010 and 66 yards short last year.
How acquired
Signed to the practice squad as an undrafted free agent in 2006.
Hint about No. 10
His last name is a verb.
Picks to date
11. Fred Jackson, Bills running back
12. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Jets left tackle
13. Kyle Williams, Bills defensive tackle
14. Sione Pouha, Jets defensive tackle
15. Jairus Byrd, Bills safety
16. Brandon Lloyd, Patriots receiver
17. Stevie Johnson, Bills receiver
18. Reggie Bush, Dolphins running back
19. Jerod Mayo, Patriots inside linebacker
20. Randy Starks, Dolphins defensive lineman
21. Sebastian Vollmer, Patriots right tackle
22. Aaron Hernandez, Patriots tight end
23. Marcell Dareus, Bills defensive tackle
24. Antonio Cromartie, Jets cornerback
25. Eric Wood, Bills center
