X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Three Undervalued Running Backs Based on ADP Data

The days of building your fantasy football team around two stud running backs drafted in the first two rounds are over. Most NFL teams rely on a committee of running backs, as opposed to the workhorse strategy of old, and there are only a handful of true bell cow backs left in the league. If you don't end up with a Top 6 pick this season, the chances of you getting reliable studs like Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles or Eddie Lacy are basically non-existent.

This new pass-happy NFL has made quality RB1s a rare commodity and has forced fantasy owners to dig deeper to find undervalued players. Add in the fact that running backs selected in the first round have a higher bust rate than any other position, and it becomes even more crucial that fantasy owners find productive backs in the mid to late rounds to fill out their rosters. Players like Justin Forsett and Mark Ingram were afterthoughts during the draft, but ended up changing fantasy fates in 2014.

Here is a list of three underrated running backs, currently ranked outside of the Top 20 at the position, who will help solidify the position for owners without the high draft or auction cost. To read about more 2015 fantasy football draft sleepers, be sure to check out our running list of ADP values that can return draft day profits and help you dominate your leagues.

 

2015 Running Back Draft Values & Potential Sleepers

1. NYJ RB Chris Ivory - ADP: 79, RB 29

Over the last two seasons, it could be argued that Chris Ivory was the most reliable offensive weapon for the New York Jets. Ivory averaged a very respectable 4.35 YPC over the last two years and topped 800 yards in both seasons.

Heading into 2015, the Jets have upgraded their receiving corps with the addition of Brandon Marshall, and Ivory appears to be leading a backfield that also features an injured Stevan Ridley, an underachieving Bilal Powell and an unclear role for Zac Stacy.

Ivory has proven to be a durable pass-catching threat out of the backfield and figures to get at least 200 carries this season. As the 29th running back coming off of the board in the seventh round or later, you could do a lot worse than Ivory. I expect him to finish as a Top 20 rusher this season.

 

2. NYG RB Rashad Jennings - ADP: 84, RB 31

On the surface, it might appear that Jennings is too old, too brittle and in a backfield that's too crowded to trust him. Jennings is 30, a supposed age of decline for running backs, has never played 16 games in a season and will have to compete with second year back Andre Williams and newly signed free agent Shane Vereen.

However, Williams was a disappointment during his rookie season, averaging 3.3 yards per carry and showing off his hands of stone with just 18 receptions on 37 targets. Vereen has never been more than a receiving back, with the 96 carries he got a year ago in New England being a career high. While Jennings certainly did not set the fantasy football world on fire last year, he averaged more yards per carry and was a bigger factor in the passing game than Williams. He is also a much more reliable down-to-down ball carrier than Vereen has proven to be.

In 2015, Vereen will likely be the lead receiving back in New York, but there's no reason to believe that Jennings won't get the bulk of the carries and flirt with 200 totes. Additionally, he proved to be a very capable receiver last year, actually gaining more yards per catch than Vereen. The big question with Jennings, as it is with all running backs, is health. If Jennings can stay healthy, there's no reason that he can't be a Top 25 back with Top 10 flashes from time to time. You can't ask for more than that from an eighth round selection.

 

TB RB Doug Martin - ADP: 88, RB 34

When the Muscle Hamster burst onto the scene during his rookie campaign with 1,926 total yards and 12 TDs, it seemed that he was on his way to being one of the best backs in the game. But the last two seasons have been unkind to Doug Martin and his fantasy owners, with him missing 16 games and averaging 3.6 yards per carry during that span. As a result, his fantasy stock has plummeted.

Entering the 2015 season, Martin is finally healthy and has been named the starting running back for the Buccaneers. All reports indicate that the fourth year runner looks fantastic as well. The presence of second-year back Charles Sims shouldn't scare anyone off either, after he averaged an underwhelming 2.8 yards per carry in 2014. Bobby Rainey has been decent in flashes, but has been mostly mediocre throughout his time in Tampa.

Martin is the only running back on the team who has proven he can be a Top 5 type producer. He is going late in the eighth round and presents almost no risk. Go for the homerun by drafting Martin. At worst, you drop him for a replacement - at best, you get a near return to rookie form and get a steal near the end of the draft.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Larson50 mins ago

Looking for Another Darlington Win with New Pit Crew
William Byron57 mins ago

Should Challenge for Another Darlington Win This Weekend
Ryan Blaney1 hour ago

Will Ryan Blaney Remain Fools Gold at Darlington?
Kyle Busch1 hour ago

Can Kyle Busch Once Again Challenge for the Win at Darlington?
Brad Keselowski1 hour ago

Looking to Get Season on Track This Weekend
Josh Berry1 hour ago

Should Move Up From 24th Starting Spot at Darlington
Cole Custer1 hour ago

Is Cole Custer Worth Rostering For Darlington Lineups?
Erik Jones1 hour ago

Will Be a Popular Pick at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek2 hours ago

Could John Hunter Nemechek Be A Sneaky Value Play For Darlington?
Justin Haley2 hours ago

Has A Strong Track Record at Darlington
Shane Van Gisbergen2 hours ago

Is One Of The Safer DFS Options Available For Darlington
Todd Gilliland2 hours ago

Is Pretty Good at Darlington Despite Struggles at Intermediate Tracks
Cincinnati Reds2 hours ago

Terry Francona Returns After Dealing With Stomach Issue
Zane Smith2 hours ago

Has Strong Practice Session At Darlington, Will Start 16th On Sunday
Shohei Ohtani2 hours ago

Has "Positive" Bullpen On Saturday
Austin Hill2 hours ago

Qualifies 37th For Cup Series Race At Darlington
Spencer Strider2 hours ago

To Make Another Rehab Start On Thursday
Ty Dillon2 hours ago

a DFS Cap-Saving Option Again at Darlington
Luis Torrens3 hours ago

Dealing With Bruised Forearm
George Springer3 hours ago

Dealing With Back Spasms
Bobby Witt Jr.3 hours ago

Slugs First Homer Of The Season
Alexis Díaz3 hours ago

Alexis Diaz Might Not Return To Closer Role When Activated From Injured List
Austin Gomber4 hours ago

Shut Down From Throwing, Won't Pitch For A Few Weeks
Yoán Moncada4 hours ago

Yoan Moncada Expected To Miss Sunday's Game, Could Return On Tuesday
Matt McLain4 hours ago

Could Miss Sunday's Game Against Milwaukee
New Orleans Saints4 hours ago

Terron Armstead Retires
George Springer4 hours ago

Exits Saturday's Game Early After Crashing Into Wall
Carson Kelly6 hours ago

Provides Power On Saturday
Matthew Boyd6 hours ago

Throws Six Scoreless Innings
Ronald Acuña Jr.6 hours ago

Ronald Acuna Jr. To Meet With Doctors Soon
Eduardo Rodriguez6 hours ago

Records 12 Strikeouts
Jackson Holliday6 hours ago

Posts Three-Hit Performance
Trent Grisham6 hours ago

Blasts Two Homers
Giannis Antetokounmpo8 hours ago

Will Play On Saturday Night
Ja Morant8 hours ago

A Late Scratch On Saturday
MLB8 hours ago

Red Sox-Cardinals Postponed On Saturday
Matt McLain8 hours ago

Scratched On Saturday
Tobias Harris9 hours ago

Out Again On Saturday Night
Cade Cunningham9 hours ago

Cleared To Suit Up On Saturday
Yoán Moncada9 hours ago

Yoan Moncada Won't Play On Saturday
Jalen Duren9 hours ago

Ruled Out Versus Memphis
Luis Rengifo9 hours ago

Playing On Saturday
Tyler Herro9 hours ago

Ruled Out On Saturday Night
Sam Montembeault9 hours ago

Looks To Extend Winning Streak Against Flyers
Anthony Stolarz9 hours ago

Starts Saturday Night
Jonas Johansson10 hours ago

Takes Over Lightning Crease Saturday
Brady Tkachuk10 hours ago

Ruled Out For Sunday
James van Riemsdyk10 hours ago

Rejoins Blue Jackets Lineup Saturday
Ilya Samsonov10 hours ago

Remains Out On Saturday
Jordan Staal10 hours ago

Out Against Bruins
Mitchell Robinson12 hours ago

Ruled Out Versus The Hawks
Cameron Payne13 hours ago

Back On Saturday
Jalen Brunson13 hours ago

Out On Saturday, Expected To Play On Sunday
Tobias Harris13 hours ago

Questionable Against Memphis
Cade Cunningham13 hours ago

Expected To Play Versus Memphis
Trae Young14 hours ago

Available On Saturday
14 hours ago

Deion Sanders Thinks Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter Should Go 1-2 In Draft
Mika Zibanejad15 hours ago

Good To Go Against Devils
Cody Glass15 hours ago

Expected To Return Against Rangers
Tomas Tatar16 hours ago

Available For Saturday's Matinee
Seamus Casey16 hours ago

Re-Enters Devils Lineup Saturday
Shakir Mukhamadullin16 hours ago

Out On Saturday
Eeli Tolvanen16 hours ago

Could Be Ready To Return Saturday
Jaden Schwartz16 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Saturday
Nikolaj Ehlers18 hours ago

A Game-Time Decision Saturday
Noah Dobson18 hours ago

Picks Up Two Points Against Wild
Dylan Larkin18 hours ago

Ends Dry Spell With Two-Assist Effort
John Carlson18 hours ago

Registers Three Assists Against Blackhawks
Aliaksei Protas18 hours ago

Exits Early Due To Lower-Body Injury
MIN19 hours ago

Jake Middleton Suffers An Upper-Body Injury Friday
Denver Broncos1 day ago

Dondrea Tillman Signs Exclusive-Rights Tender
Kansas City Chiefs1 day ago

Janarius Robinson Agrees To Join The Chiefs
New York Jets1 day ago

Tony Adams Signs Tender
Cameron Payne1 day ago

Questionable Versus Atlanta
Miles McBride1 day ago

Still Out On Saturday
Alex Ovechkin1 day ago

Ties All-Time Goals Record In Friday's Win
Jalen Brunson1 day ago

Might Return To Action On Saturday
Arizona Cardinals1 day ago

Jake Curhan Heading To Arizona
Julio Jones1 day ago

Announces Retirement
Cade Cunningham1 day ago

Out Of Action Friday
Trey Lance1 day ago

Chargers Sign Trey Lance
Brandon Ingram1 day ago

Could Be Cleared For Full Practice Next Week
Gradey Dick1 day ago

Out For Remainder Of Season
Scottie Barnes1 day ago

Unavailable Against Pistons
Walker Kessler1 day ago

Out Against Pacers
Scoot Henderson1 day ago

Out Again Friday
Arizona Cardinals2 days ago

Kelvin Beachum Re-Signs One-Year Deal With Cardinals
NFL2 days ago

Travis Hunter To Run Routes At Pro Day On Friday
Josh Emmett2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 105
Dallas Cowboys2 days ago

Cowboys Still Searching For Their Lead Running Back
Lerone Murphy2 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 105
Pat Sabatini2 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Joanderson Brito2 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Cortavious Romious2 days ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
ChangHo Lee2 days ago

Looks For His Second UFC Win
Brad Tavares2 days ago

Set For Middleweight Bout
Gerald Meerschaert2 days ago

Set For His 23rd UFC Bout
Luis Gurule2 days ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Ode' Osbourne2 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Robert Valentin2 days ago

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 105 Main Card
Torrez Finney2 days ago

Set For UFC Debut
Miles Boykin2 days ago

Heading To Chicago
Baker Mayfield2 days ago

Tampa Bay Restructures Baker Mayfield's Deal
Case Keenum2 days ago

Chicago Signs Case Keenum To One-Year Deal
Trey McBride2 days ago

Cardinals Making Trey McBride The Highest-Paid Tight End In NFL History
Geno Smith2 days ago

Raiders, Geno Smith Agree To Two-Year Extension
3 days ago

Tyler Shough Could Be Day 2 Pick In NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys3 days ago

Shemar Stewart Meeting With Cowboys Staff
New York Giants3 days ago

Travis Hunter The Likely Pick For Giants?
Dallas Cowboys3 days ago

DeMarvion Overshown Aiming For Comeback Player Of The Year Award
Washington Commanders3 days ago

Commanders Sign T.J. Maguranyanga
Cameron Young4 days ago

A Player To Avoid At Valero Texas Open
Kurt Kitayama4 days ago

In Search Of Consistency At Valero Texas Open
Si Woo Kim4 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At Valero Texas Open
Tom Hoge4 days ago

Looking To Build Off Strong Performance At The PLAYERS Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick4 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Valero Texas Open
Corey Conners4 days ago

Continues Strong Form Ahead Of Valero Texas Open
Patrick Cantlay4 days ago

Eyeing Victory At Valero Texas Open
Gary Woodland4 days ago

Showing Great Form Ahead Of Valero Texas Open
Akshay Bhatia4 days ago

Aiming For Repeat At Valero Texas Open
Alejandro Tosti4 days ago

A Volatile Choice At TPC San Antonio
Jordan Spieth5 days ago

Needs To Find Consistency At TPC San Antonio
Jake Knapp5 days ago

Making First Appearance At Valero Texas Open
Michael Kim5 days ago

Looking To Find The Magic Again In San Antonio
Tommy Fleetwood5 days ago

Is Nearly A Must-Play At Valero Texas Open
Tony Finau5 days ago

Hoping For Better Approach Play In San Antonio
Eric Cole5 days ago

Trending In Right Direction Ahead Of Valero
Sam Stevens5 days ago

Enjoys Nice Result In Houston
PGA5 days ago

J.T. Poston Seeks To Contend At Valero Texas Open
Denny McCarthy5 days ago

Keeps Making Cuts But Needs To Make More Putts
Brian Harman5 days ago

Off To A Subpar 2025 So Far
Ryan Preece5 days ago

Has Three Straight Top-10 Finishes For First Time In His Career
NASCAR5 days ago

Bubba Wallace After Third-Place Finish At Martinsville: "What a Great Day"
Todd Gilliland5 days ago

Has Mistake-Free Day At Martinsville, Grabs Another Top-10 Finish
Brandon Moreno5 days ago

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Steve Erceg5 days ago

Losses Third Consecutive Fight
Drew Dober5 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres5 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Harry Hall5 days ago

Bounces Back In Houston Last Week
CJ Vergara5 days ago

Gets Submitted
Édgar Cháirez5 days ago

Edgar Chairez Gets Submission Win At UFC Mexico City
Vince Morales5 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC Mexico City
Raul Rosas Jr.5 days ago

Gets Decision Win At UFC Mexico City
Saimon Oliveira5 days ago

Still Winless In The UFC
Christopher Bell6 days ago

Powers His Way To A Second-Place Finish At Martinsville
Chase Elliott6 days ago

Strong Martinsville Performance Ends With A Top-Five Finish
Kyle Larson6 days ago

Collects A Top-Five Finish At Martinsville
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF