Veteran Running Back Winners From the NFL Draft

May 4, 2020

Several current NFL running backs saw their fantasy football values rise when existing teams failed to draft an RB. Scott Engel evaluates veteran running backs who came out as offseason winners after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Some of the running back picks in the NFL Draft have damaged the fantasy outlooks of veterans such as Aaron Jones, Mark Ingram, Kerryon Johnson, and Damien Williams. But there was also positive news coming out of the draft process.

Several current NFL running backs saw their values and appeal rise when their existing teams either passed on using a significant choice on a RB, or were unable to improve at the position. In one instance, a draft-day trade propelled a veteran into a potential starting role.

Here are some running backs who came out ahead in terms of fantasy football value after the NFL Draft.

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

Leading up to the NFL draft, there were many rumors swirling that the Jaguars would try to deal Fournette as part of their recent talent purge. But Jacksonville obviously found no takers, as many teams elected to reach into the rookie pool to fill their needs at the position. Many potential suitors were possibly wary of taking on his $4 million-plus salary for 2020.

Fournette is coming off the best season of his career and is in the final year of his contract. Even though the team declined his fifth-year option, the Jags have no other real impact players on the RB depth chart behind him. Fournette has vowed to be a good citizen this season and the Jaguars can simply let him play out his final year.

Last season, he finished as fantasy RB7 and caught a career-high 76 passes. He only had three rushing TD, but could have more scores in 2020. His reception total may go down now that the team has added Chris Thompson in free agency, though.

Fournette will definitely be gone after this year, but the Jaguars will ride with him for one more season while he promises to be a good soldier on social media. He still gives Jacksonville their best chances to remain competitive, while Fournette can try to roll up the best numbers possible to land a healthy payday after the season.

I don’t know what the future holds but I promise that every day I’m gonna bust my ass. I know it’s a business and I’ll be ready at my best for the next season #BigBN pic.twitter.com/c9lFr2Gh5U

— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) April 28, 2020

If Fournette remains in Jacksonville as it appears for now, he has fantasy RB1 promise again. The Jaguars didn’t draft anyone at RB to stir some urgency at the position and simply may wait until after the season to move on from Fournette.

Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals

There may have been some minor concern that Drake would possibly cede some carries to another RB as part of a lesser time share if the Cardinals drafted one after their first few choices were made.

But Arizona did not pick Eno Benjamin until the sixth round. Their apparent lack of concern about the position simply confirms that the team will head into 2020 with Drake as the clear featured RB, and he will be worthy of a back-end fantasy RB1 pick in seasonal leagues.

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

The cloud of a possible time share or committee for Philadelphia hovered over Sanders with the knowledge that Doug Pederson has been known to prefer such scenarios in the past.

But the Eagles did not address the position at all in the draft, a clear signal that Sanders is fully set for a significant lead back role in his second season. Boston Scott simply figures to be a lesser option to provide breathers for Sanders, who has high-end RB2 fantasy appeal for this year.

Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

There was a lot of conjecture from some quarters that the Seahawks might spend an earlier pick on a RB after they were forced to go back to Marshawn Lynch during the playoffs last season. Jonathan Taylor openly campaigned to be drafted by Seattle, and many of the team’s fans were hopeful that the Seahawks would address the position with a prime pick. Both Carson and Rashaad Penny have battled injuries throughout their young careers, and are coming off health issues from the 2109 season.

But the team has maintained confidence that Carson can return from a hip injury in time to begin the 2020 season on time, and passed on most of the projected impact RBs in the draft. They did select DeeJay Dallas in the fourth round, and while he is a promising prospect who can help in the passing game, he figures to be more of a project and a depth piece earlier in his pro career. For now it appears Seattle wants to lean on Carson as their top RB again, and tabbed Dallas as insurance for now in case of more injuries. They also might consider some undrafted free agents as they often do, but for now it’s evident that the Seahawks still prefer Carson and want to continue to ride with him if they can.

Despite not finishing off the regular season, Carson was fifth in the league and second in the NFC with 1,230 rushing yards. His violent running style, which he unapologetic about, will always make him an injury risk. But as long as you have quality fantasy depth behind him, he is definitely a viable mid-range RB2 candidate.

Penny may miss the beginning of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL, and is only worthy of a later selection for now. When available, Penny will complement Carson on the perimeter and has upside as an explosive player who can quickly roll up quality fantasy numbers on limited touches. If the Seahawks do enter into a worst case scenario again without Carson and Penny, you could see a time share between Dallas and Travis Homer.

The top-six RBs in rushing yards from 2019. Carson was fifth in the league despite missing one game and getting injured in two others. Fournette's rushing yardage totals were a new career high.

Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons

It would have made some sense if the Falcons added some more depth at RB considering Gurley has well-documented and lingering knee concerns. Gurley logged career lows in carries (223) and yards per attempt (3.8) in 2019. His 31 receptions were the lowest total since his rookie season. He is only on a one-year deal with the Falcons.

But the Falcons gave Gurley an unspoken vote of confidence by not drafting a RB at all. They even picked a punter without addressing the position. So with only Qadree Ollison and Ito Smith at the position behind him, Gurley will head into the 2020 campaign as the certain primary RB for Atlanta.

But the potential health issues do bump him to the back of the RB2 pack. If Gurley misses any time, Smith and Ollison would likely pair up in a time share.

Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins

Miami was expected to draft a notable RB to pair with new acquisition Jordan Howard. But the Dolphins kept passing on the most impactful RBs with their multiple choices and instead made a in-draft trade for Breida, who now becomes an ideal complement for Howard.

Breida left a much more crowded RB situation in San Francisco and now becomes a bigger part of a time share with just one other player.

Breida is a tenacious and determined runner who has averaged five yards per carry in his career so far. But he has also shown a tendency to get banged up at times. Still, he now moves into RB4 territory with the potential to become a viable flex option.

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