RADIO
As we draw nearer to the fantasy football playoffs season, it's becoming increasingly more important to make sure that your rosters are as solid as possible. Owners need to consider exploring trade options to ensure that their playoff rosters are at full strength.
This year has been a frustrating year for many fantasy owners. Several sure-thing early round picks have struggled this year, and many have been running backs. Guys like Eddie Lacy, C.J. Anderson, Jeremy Hill and others have seen their fair share of struggles this season. It's coming down to one question, "What should you do with them?"
Let's start with perhaps the biggest bust of the fantasy season so far, Eddie Lacy. Lacy came into this season ranked as not just the number one running back, but the number one player by many experts and analysts. To put it gently, Lacy has severely underperformed for his fantasy owners. In eight games this year, Lacy has rushed for 308 yards with just two touchdowns and is averaging a measly 3.7 yards per carry. Lacy currently ranks 38th in rushing yards and has apparently lost his starting role to running back James Starks.
As bad as Lacy has been, I think things will only get worse for him. Starks has looked good at times this year and will lockup the starting roll if he can produce and not turn the ball over. If you own Lacy, I would try to shop him around and get what you can for him because his value will only decrease in the coming weeks.
Another bust this season has been Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson. Owners had high hopes for Anderson after a brilliant season last year, but he has let those who drafted him down. Anderson has just 315 yards on the season with one rushing touchdown, and is averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. Anderson is also splitting carries with running back Ronnie Hillman, so he's always at risk to lose his starting role if Hillman were to consistently play well.
While Anderson showed some life two weeks ago with 101 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, that game appears to be an outlier. Anderson will likely be in a time share for the rest of the year and I don't envision him producing much with limited carries. I would put Anderson up on the trading block and get what you can for him, but don't expect too much in return.
The last running back to discuss is Jeremy Hill. I'm hesitant to call him a bust because he's had some nice games this season, but he's definitely failed to meet the expectations of a first or second round pick. Hill has 344 rushing yards and is averaging a terrible 3.3 yards per carry, with five rushing touchdowns so far this season. Hill has currently been splitting carries with Giovanni Bernard and ,to be frank, he's been getting outplayed by him.
If you own Hill, there is hope, at least I think so. Hill is still worth holding onto and still producing, just not on a consistent basis. The good news is that he's on an offense that has been great all year, so he will have opportunities for touches and to score. I suggest holding onto Hill and keeping him on your playoff roster.
