Fantasy Football Preview 2013: Top Sleeper Running Backs

Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: The NFL logo on display near the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: The NFL logo on display near the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next

2. David Wilson – New York Giants

December 23, 2012;Baltimore, MD,USA;New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) smiles at fans during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M
December 23, 2012;Baltimore, MD,USA;New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) smiles at fans during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M /

I recently delved into whether former first round picks who failed to gain 400 yards in their rookie seasons exploded out of the gates as sophomores. The results were inconclusive but downbeat. Only three of the nine players produced a sequel worth paying for. As a group they represented terrible gambles at their respective ADPs.

C.J. Spiller would probably be the most similar player in terms of athletic profile, and he failed to emerge. Deuce McAllister would be the most similar in terms of situation. Ricky Williams was let go to open the door for McAllister, and he barged through it to the tune of a RB7 finish. Basically the question on Wilson boils down to what you think of Tom Coughlin. If you think Coughlin is a grudge-bearing bully who frequently misevaluates the talent on his own team and bungles the running back rotation, then you like Wilson at his ADP. If you think Wilson’s talent level was such that he deserved to get benched for a full season based on a fumble, a drop, and a missed blitz pickup, you want to stay away.