Fansided

Fantasy Football 2017: Top 10 rookie running back fits

By James Simpson

Oct 29, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs in a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs in a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Sep 12, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols (13) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won the game 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols (13) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won the game 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jeremy McNichols, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They waited until the fifth round, but McNichols could have an immediate impact in an unstable Tampa Bay backfield. The Boise State Bronco followed in Jay Ajayi’s footsteps with an extremely productive career (1,709 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in his junior year), and teams might regret letting him slide all the way to Tampa.

In front of him is another Boise alumnus in Doug Martin, who will miss the first three games of 2017 after his drug suspension at the end of last season. Martin is reportedly looking great this offseason, but he’d shown a decline in performance before he was forced to miss week 17. He’s been unpredictable during his career, and the team might not hesitate to offer carries elsewhere. Charles Sims, the team’s “receiving back” hasn’t reached 1,000 yards through the air in three seasons, and McNichols might even step right into that role.

The Tampa Bay offense has firepower in every position. Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson surround improving quarterback Jameis Winston, and newly added tight end O.J. Howard will cause havoc in the middle of the field. The only component missing is a strong running back, and McNichols could step right in.

Home/Fantasy Football