Fantasy football RB: 13 Rookies ready for impact

1 of 10

Jun 16, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) evades a blocking pad during minicamp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /

No position in football has a shorter peak performance time than running back. Given the hits top runners take each season, there is always concerns about wear-and-tear on high usage backs, and there is a high potential for decline and injury. Due to their limited shelf-life, running backs are the most important and one of the most volatile positions in fantasy football. Fantasy football RB rankings fluctuate wildly from year to year based on role, scheme, and health. Since it seems that many backs are on the decline for one reason or another, it’s vital to get them early in their time in NFL backfields. In the last few years, rookie fantasy football RB’s have made a big splash in the NFL, and getting the right rookie rusher can make your fantasy football draft a huge success.

More from Arizona Cardinals

Last season, rookie running backs Jeremy Hill, Tre Mason, Alfred Blue, Andre Williams, Lorenzo Taliaferro, and Jerick McKinnon all had varying degrees of impact and were all fantasy considerations for at least a week or two last season. In 2013, backs like Le’Veon Bell, Gio Bernard, Eddie Lacy, and Zac Stacy were all fantasy factors in their rookie year. While many of those names will fill up draft boards again this season, those that have excelled will cost you a much higher draft pick than they did when they were a rookie.

Rookies can be a great source of fantasy value since many fantasy owners don’t take the time to learn all the players, situations, and new teams of the draftees. Some owners don’t dive deep enough to know that it was the Bills who grabbed Karlos Williams out of Florida State, or that the Cardinals drafted another running back to complement Andre Ellington. Even if other owners are well-prepared, rookie running backs can scare owners off because they are high risk.

For all the success stories, there are definitely disappointments as well. Bishop Sankey was taken very highly in last year’s fantasy football drafts, but he never delivered what so many of his owners were hoping for. There is always risk with rookies because they are such an unknown entity.

There are, however, successful strategies which can help you get the most of of your fantasy football RB picks especially when it comes to rookies. First off, don’t just follow the hype. In fact, the best value comes from players other people in your draft haven’t read about in every pre-draft write-up. Last year, Sankey was so over-hyped he was going as a starting RB in many formats which made the danger of him busting that much worse for owners who counted on him.

Another factor to consider is how much risk you have at the position overall. If you already have one player who is injury-prone or has high bust potential, avoid another high-risk pick and instead go with a more proven safe option even if his upside may not be so high. There are definitely times to swing for the fences with your picks, but make sure you have a contingency plan in place in case you whiff. Even if you do hit with one or two of your rookie picks, if you fill your team with high-risk options some are sure to not pan out and leave you scrambling.

Aside from avoiding over-hype and managing risk, another important factor to pay attention to is the opportunity in front of each rookie rusher you target. If there is another back that he will share time with or lose goal line touches to, you have to make sure to take that into consideration.

Lastly, make sure you understand that many of the rookie running backs may take some time. Last season, Tre Mason rode my bench for the first half of the season, but he was an awesome stash as soon as he took over as the featured option in St. Louis. If you do decide to roll the dice ant take a rookie fantasy football RB, make sure you are ready to keep them on your bench as long as possible before you are forced to cut them.

With those tips in mind, let’s take a look at the fantasy football RB options from last year’s draft class to see where you should target each rookie option and where you should proceed cautiously.

Next: Todd Gurley-St. Louis Rams

Home/Arizona Cardinals