Rookie Class 2017 - Running Backs
No one can deny the importance of the role of running backs on your fantasy roster. Trying to analyze which rookies are going to be productive is a daunting task outside of a the Zeke's that come along every so often. Zeke Elliot was the right pick for the right team and he had an excellent rookie campaign while last year's number one rookie RB Todd Gurley disappointed owners in his second season. This is how fantasy goes and makes it difficult to predict.
While I am not new to fantasy football, I am new to blogging about it and I look forward to revisiting this post in the middle of the fantasy season to see how we fare with my rookie analysis.
Let's take a look at this years rookie running backs.
1. Leonard Fournette - Jacksonville Jaguars
With the 4th pick of the draft, a running back was off the board, and it was no surprise who it was. Fournette is a punishing style runner that may not make too many defenders miss but he'll muscle his way around corners. He has a good second gear to burn passed slower linebackers or solid blocking. He's got talent and figures to be an immediate bell-cow back. May lose some 3rd down or passing down looks to Yeldon which could sting owners. Overall, I expect to see him go pretty high off the boards and be a bright spot in a bleak offense.
2. Christian McCaffery - Carolina Panthers
CMC has some NFL lineage as the son of former receiver. As a back, he shows some serious pedigree as a receiver which could make things interesting in Carolina. He may easily be the best back on the team right out of the gate, and I'm expecting to see them utilize his versatile play style early and often. He has serious upside if they use him and a runner, short range pass catcher, or part of the read option. CMC may be a solid flex play early on, and a RB2 by middle of the season. No one from my league is reading this, so I'll go ahead and say that this is the rookie running back I'm looking to pick up in at least one of my leagues.
3. Joe Mixon - Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals obviously believed in the talent Mixon has enough to draft him in the 2nd round, despite their being some off-field issues (plural) that led to suspensions during college. His character outside of the domestic violence issues has also been in question. So, there are certainly things to worry about his transition at the NFL level. His talent, does not appear to be a concern. With Gio recovering from a torn ACL, and Hill being just shy of a let-down after an exciting rookie campaign, the stage could be set for an early take-over at the RB position. Mixon could take over the 3-down back role at some point this season. The question is when. He'd be a good stash candidate for drafting purposes.
4. Dalvin Cook - Minnesota Vikings
Here's one I'm going to watch develop, but probably stay away from. Cook is shifty and quick and elusive. Good vision and great cuts on film. He's more prone to making defenders miss that running through them. That being said, his combine was a dumpster fire that I believe is still smoldering. Between the bad combine and the fact that he's had run-in's with the law since his high-school days we saw a possible first round talent get picked in the second and into a grimy situation. The Vikings brought in Latavius Murray who looks to be the 3-down guy, Mckinnon is lingering and Cook, despite some obvious talent, may be a first year time-share candidate who shows flashes of a good potential.
5. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
As a standalone RB, Kamara may not impress us studly, wannabe-fantasy-analysts types, but he's definitely a guy who's strengths have landed him on the right team. Kamara excels as a pass-catching back. Drew Brees must be salivating already. No team threw more to their backs than Mr. Brees last year. Kamara is drawing the obvious comparison to Darren Sproles or Danny Woodhead. While I wouldn't expect that kind of production immediately, that is the most obvious role he could slide into and excel at. This may be the sexy-flexy pick of the year for the rookie class.
6. Kareem Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs seemed to be pursuing a couple of picks. Patrick Mahomes, as the heir-apparent to Alex Smith and Kareem Hunt as Spencer Wares. And while many people are still touting Spencer Ware as a solid running back, I was a disappointed owner the second half of last season.
Hunt is a agile back for his broad frame. He can be elusive for first tackle attempts and has decent burst speed around corners.
While I don't think he's taking Ware's spot anytime real soon, he could be a great stash handcuff.
7. D'Onta Foreman - Houston Texans
Foreman will be serving as Lamar Miller's backup. While his role is uncertain, he figures to likely be a change of pace back with some goal line possibilities. Early on, until we see how he handles what limited touches he has, he's strictly a fumble-prone handcuff.
8. Samaje Perine - Washington Redskins
Perine is powerful and solid to handle an NFL style workload. He lands in Washington which could provide an excellent opportunity early on to split carries or take carries from Rob Kelly. His speed is decent and is strong enough to pick up a few extra yards after contact to make garner him a heavier workload. He's one to grab and stash if he's still on the boards in later rounds, or filling out the dollar picks in auction formats.
While I am not new to fantasy football, I am new to blogging about it and I look forward to revisiting this post in the middle of the fantasy season to see how we fare with my rookie analysis.
Let's take a look at this years rookie running backs.
1. Leonard Fournette - Jacksonville Jaguars
With the 4th pick of the draft, a running back was off the board, and it was no surprise who it was. Fournette is a punishing style runner that may not make too many defenders miss but he'll muscle his way around corners. He has a good second gear to burn passed slower linebackers or solid blocking. He's got talent and figures to be an immediate bell-cow back. May lose some 3rd down or passing down looks to Yeldon which could sting owners. Overall, I expect to see him go pretty high off the boards and be a bright spot in a bleak offense.
2. Christian McCaffery - Carolina Panthers
CMC has some NFL lineage as the son of former receiver. As a back, he shows some serious pedigree as a receiver which could make things interesting in Carolina. He may easily be the best back on the team right out of the gate, and I'm expecting to see them utilize his versatile play style early and often. He has serious upside if they use him and a runner, short range pass catcher, or part of the read option. CMC may be a solid flex play early on, and a RB2 by middle of the season. No one from my league is reading this, so I'll go ahead and say that this is the rookie running back I'm looking to pick up in at least one of my leagues.
3. Joe Mixon - Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals obviously believed in the talent Mixon has enough to draft him in the 2nd round, despite their being some off-field issues (plural) that led to suspensions during college. His character outside of the domestic violence issues has also been in question. So, there are certainly things to worry about his transition at the NFL level. His talent, does not appear to be a concern. With Gio recovering from a torn ACL, and Hill being just shy of a let-down after an exciting rookie campaign, the stage could be set for an early take-over at the RB position. Mixon could take over the 3-down back role at some point this season. The question is when. He'd be a good stash candidate for drafting purposes.
4. Dalvin Cook - Minnesota Vikings
Here's one I'm going to watch develop, but probably stay away from. Cook is shifty and quick and elusive. Good vision and great cuts on film. He's more prone to making defenders miss that running through them. That being said, his combine was a dumpster fire that I believe is still smoldering. Between the bad combine and the fact that he's had run-in's with the law since his high-school days we saw a possible first round talent get picked in the second and into a grimy situation. The Vikings brought in Latavius Murray who looks to be the 3-down guy, Mckinnon is lingering and Cook, despite some obvious talent, may be a first year time-share candidate who shows flashes of a good potential.
5. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
As a standalone RB, Kamara may not impress us studly, wannabe-fantasy-analysts types, but he's definitely a guy who's strengths have landed him on the right team. Kamara excels as a pass-catching back. Drew Brees must be salivating already. No team threw more to their backs than Mr. Brees last year. Kamara is drawing the obvious comparison to Darren Sproles or Danny Woodhead. While I wouldn't expect that kind of production immediately, that is the most obvious role he could slide into and excel at. This may be the sexy-flexy pick of the year for the rookie class.
6. Kareem Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs seemed to be pursuing a couple of picks. Patrick Mahomes, as the heir-apparent to Alex Smith and Kareem Hunt as Spencer Wares. And while many people are still touting Spencer Ware as a solid running back, I was a disappointed owner the second half of last season.
Hunt is a agile back for his broad frame. He can be elusive for first tackle attempts and has decent burst speed around corners.
While I don't think he's taking Ware's spot anytime real soon, he could be a great stash handcuff.
7. D'Onta Foreman - Houston Texans
Foreman will be serving as Lamar Miller's backup. While his role is uncertain, he figures to likely be a change of pace back with some goal line possibilities. Early on, until we see how he handles what limited touches he has, he's strictly a fumble-prone handcuff.
8. Samaje Perine - Washington Redskins
Perine is powerful and solid to handle an NFL style workload. He lands in Washington which could provide an excellent opportunity early on to split carries or take carries from Rob Kelly. His speed is decent and is strong enough to pick up a few extra yards after contact to make garner him a heavier workload. He's one to grab and stash if he's still on the boards in later rounds, or filling out the dollar picks in auction formats.
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