RADIO
Running backs in the early round are important, but it's those middle round RBs that can make all the difference. These players may be undervalued but they can help you win your fantasy football league in 2019.
So, you grabbed a couple of good running backs early on, but you don't have a ton of depth there? If you wait too long, you're going to have to do your research to know who you should be drafting. Thankfully for you, I'm here to do that research.
Guys like Marlon Mack were league-winners last year. After he got past an early injury, he went on to have an excellent season. He averaged a solid 4.7 yards per carry, and he scored 10 touchdowns on the season. Now, he has risen into the fourth round ADP wise for the 2019 season. For today's exercise, we're looking at guys between rounds 7-and-11.
Running back is thin every year, and grabbing just one of these guys can be the difference in you winning a title or playing in the consolation bracket.
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James White, New England Patriots
James White makes the cut with and ADP of 7.5 right now. The fact that he continues to be drafted so late is a testament to how slept on he is as a running back in fantasy football. Last year, he finished sixth in PPR scoring among running backs.
If you look at the remainder of the top-10 scorers among running backs ADPs now, the only one that isn't being drafted in the first three rounds is Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. His ADP would be in the second round if he weren't holding out for a new deal. So, where is the love for White?
Fellow running back Sony Michel is expected to take on a larger workload as long as he stays healthy, but, even then, the pass-catching role is still firmly White's. Former "weapon" (it is in quotes because he was an offensive player that worked everywhere) Cordarrelle Patterson is gone to the Chicago Bears. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has retired, and that leaves a lot of short-yardage opportunities for White.
He'll continue to be Tom Brady's favorite target not named wide receiver Julian Edelman, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if he finished as an RB1 again in PPR scoring.
Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears
What? Another smaller running back that can catch a high number of passes out of the backfield in an offense that will likely be top-10 in the NFL again? That's right.
Through two seasons, Tarik Cohen has 124 receptions for 1,078 yards and six touchdowns. The Bears refused to allow the now-traded running back Jordan Howard dominate the entire workload, and Cohen always got his touches. Even with the aforementioned Patterson and rookie running back David Montgomery in the fold, Cohen is going to remain an important piece of this offense.
Cohen is currently going just a few spots behind White with an ADP of 8.10. Going based off of ADPs, you're getting the 11th overall running back in PPR scoring from last season in the eighth round. He's a solid flex option, and he gives you a ton of upside with his big-play ability. Until coach Matt Nagy shows otherwise, there is no reason to doubt that Cohen will have the ball in his hands enough to outperform his current draft stock.
Derrius Guice, Washington Redskins
Today's final subject is a player that most viewed as a potential RB1 before he tore his ACL during training camp last season. Derrius Guice came out of LSU as an afterthought behind current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette. However, he was viewed as the more complete threat with better pass-catching ability, while Fournette was content to run over anyone and anything in front of him. During his final two seasons in college, Guice was a touchdown monster with 26 total over that time.
Guice was expected to be the starter for Washington last year until his injury. As long as he's healthy, why is that expected to change? Washington is going through their rebuild, and they're letting younger players develop along the way. When healthy, Washington has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They'll give him plenty of running room when he's on the field, and Washington will likely give him between 18-20 touches per game. Those are decent numbers for any running back.
Getting that running back in the *checks notes* ninth round for pick 9.10 is a potential steal. If you're looking for a running back with a great ceiling and a decent floor in the middle rounds, look no further.
Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints
With running back Mark Ingram out the door, there is a hefty workload available for new running back Latavius Murray. Over the last two seasons, Ingram has scored a total of 19 touchdowns while averaging a hefty 4.8 yards per carry. As the primary backup to running back Dalvin Cook, Murray had 14 touchdowns.
Head coach Sean Payton has publicly stated that they'll still be managing starter Alvin Kamara's workload. Murray will still get plenty of carries and a lot of red-zone work. He currently has an ADP of 8.70. He may be nothing more than the occasional flex play, but he should provide decent backup value from the bench.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Last season, Austin Ekeler finished as the sixth-graded running back per Pro Football Focus. Currently, he's expected to be the starter for the Chargers with running back Melvin Gordon holding out for a new contract. With the strong possibility that Gordon's holdout could last into the regular season, a lot of value is there for Ekeler to gain.
Ekeler averaged 5.2 yards per carry, and, on 10 yards per receptions on 39 catches. Even when / if Gordon returns, Ekeler will maintain a ine workload especially in the passing game. Whether you draft him as a starter for a few weeks or a Gordon handcuff, getting him at his current ADP of 8.30, is a great value in PPR leagues.
Honorable Mentions
- Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers
- Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks
- Duke Johnson, Houston Texans
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