Is Ryan Mathews a first-round pick? Seems like we have been debating that over and over again during the preseason. As, in the video above, I firmly believe that Mathews should be a first-round pick.

But there are some — and they know who they are — who fear that Mathews will lose goal-line carries. First it was Mike Tolbert, who grabbed a goal-line carry in Week 1 of the preseason. Then Jacob Hester got one on Friday night.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Philip Rivers got into the act, too.

So while fantasy enthusiasts panicked — again — the question was posed to NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, who offered a reassuring explanation that this is just a way for teams to experiment with different plays. Brooks said that Mathews will get those carries during the regular season. (Not to mention that Hester is from Louisiana and that might have been the reason he was thrown a bone.)

But can we relax now, people? Mathews is going to be the man in San Diego.

– Adam Rank

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