Fansided

Fantasy Football: Top 10 Breakout RB in 2016

By Zachary Thompson

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off to running back Latavius Murray (28) during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off to running back Latavius Murray (28) during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
Aug 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against San Diego Chargers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against San Diego Chargers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

Derrick Henry-Tennesse Titans

I’ve mentioned Henry a bunch this preseason as someone I love at his current draft position.  He has huge potential to be a breakout RB this season as he tries to make a splashy entrance to the pros after a great college career.  Henry was drafted in the second round out of Alabama where he won the Heisman last year, and he has wowed everyone in training camp and preseason.

In Week 1 of NFL Preseason, Henry ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on ten carries and looked infinitely ready to make the transition to the NFL. He broke tackles and finished runs against the Chargers in that impressive performance.  Henry has been talked up all offseason by the Titans beat writers and coaching staff, and its easy to see why many think he’ll put up big rookie numbers.

The one thing in his way is that he doesn’t have a clear shot at the starting job. The Titans also brought in DeMarco Murray this offseason and are expected to blend Murray, Henry, and Dexter McCluster into a running-back-by-committee situation. Murray looks like he’ll open the season as the top back, but I think Henry will eventually pass him or at least put up good enough numbers to overcome the limitations of having to produce in a timeshare. If Henry continues to run like he has been, the Titans will definitely find a way to get their rookie star on the field.

Running back timeshares have killed so many potential breakout RB that owners are shying away from Henry so far this draft season. His ADP puts him all the way in the tenth round where he’s averaging going as the 38th RB off the board.  I think Henry has a real shot to be a RB1 if he gets the workload, but even in a timeshare I think he’ll be a solid RB2. Every year a rookie RB or two shakes up the fantasy landscape, and this year I think Henry is the breakout RB to make the biggest splash.

Next: One of last year's rookies that stood out

Home/Fantasy Football