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Fantasy Football Preview 2013: Top Sleeper Running Backs

By Shawn Siegele

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 /
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5. Chris Ivory – New York Jets

November 5, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory (29) carries against the Philadelphia Eagles during third quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
November 5, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory (29) carries against the Philadelphia Eagles during third quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

In both reality and fantasy contexts, one truly awful move can create a cascade of poor choices. The Saints made such a move in trading up to select Mark Ingram two years ago. Since that time, New Orleans’ three main backs have recorded the following numbers in yards after contact per attempt: Chris Ivory 3.3, Pierre Thomas, 2.9, and Mark Ingram 2.5.

Ivory was easily the biggest talent on the Saints’ roster, and their decision to foist him off on New York seemed like a transparent attempt to deflect attention from Ingram’s struggles. The new Jets bell cow is what Marshawn Lynch would be if Lynch were faster on the field and a believer in the social contract off of it. If you consider yourself an injury agnostic, Ivory should be your main target at running back.

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