Fantasy Football: 2018 ReDraft Rankings – Running Backs
Welcome to the 2018 NFL Fantasy Football Offseason – Part 2
In case you missed Part 1: The Quarterbacks, check it out here! This is Part 2: The Running Backs. Inside you will find comprehensive analysis of the 2018 NFL off-season. First, I will take you through the current NFL Free Agency class, providing analysis. Second, I will cover the top Fantasy Football running backs that have declared for the NFL Draft. Finally, I have included my Running Backs Fantasy Football Redraft Rankings complete with Free Agency and NFL Draft projections.
2018 Free Agent Class – The Running Backs
1. Le’Veon Bell, PIT – 27yo
– There is drama in the Steel City. Will they pay him? Will they franchise tag him? Will Lev play under the tag?
2. Carlos Hyde, SF – 27yo
– I really like Hyde. Hyde has always been an explosive downhill runner, but what impressed me this year was how he improved his pass catching abilities. In the right situation Hyde is a valuable own.
3. Dion Lewis, NE – 27yo
– Lewis is a versatile back that has a lot left in the tank, benefiting by New England’s RBBC. With that said, I will be surprised if Lewis walks into a camp with a starting job come August.
4. Jerick McKinnon, MIN – 26yo
– McKinnon is a much better receiver than he is a runner, but his combination of size and speed will earn him plenty of looks this offseason.
5. Isaiah Crowell, CLE – 25yo
– If this kid figures out how to put everything together, then he will be a star. However, maybe it was just being on the Browns that hindered his progression.
6. Jeremy Hill, CIN – 25yo
– It’s hard to believe how far Jeremy Hill has fallen. After an outstanding rookie campaign, Hill has been a disappointment. A change of scenery is exactly what he needs.
7. Thomas Rawls, SEA – 25yo
– The same goes for Rawls as did for Hill. Will he return to rookie form?
8. Alfred Morris, DAL – 29yo
– Morris had an effective 2017 in Zeke’s absence. He will be nothing more than a goal line vulture in 2018.
9. Rex Burkhead, NE – 28yo
– Solid back with a solid season. He will be a backup again in 2018.
10. LeGarrette Blount, PHI – 31yo
– Not a huge market for 31yo running backs in the NFL. It’s a shame that the XFL doesn’t start until 2020.
2018 Fantasy Football Cap Casualties – The Running Backs
(NOTE: These are projected salary cap casualties. The teams still retain the rights to these contracts. This is just what I anticipate will happen during the offseason)
1. DeMarco Murray, TEN – 29yo
– Saves the team $6.5 million and Derek Henry looks ready to carry the load.
2. Doug Martin, TB – 29yo
– Doug Martin had a rough 2017 season. TB will elect to save $6.75 million and put it to work in free agency.
3. Chris Ivory, JAX – 27yo
– Ivory is an easy release. Saves $5.9 million and he was a healthy scratch most of the playoffs.
4. Jonathon Stewart, CAR – 30yo
– Stewart is on the wrong side of 30 and Carolina has one of the highest payrolls. Saving $3.75 million is worth it.
Top Fantasy Football Running Backs in the NFL Draft
1. Saquon Barkley, PSU
– Saquon is the best running back prospect to come out since Reggie Bush. Heck, maybe even Herschel Walker. All you need to know about Saquon is in this video Yeah, dude is an absolute monster.
Draft commentators are going to run out of adjectives to describe this guy.
– Pro Comp(s): Earl Campbell, Todd Gurley
2. Darrius Guice, LSU
– Guice has the makings of an early down back in the NFL. I love this kids burst, but his vision and his hands may tamper early career success. With that said, I’m not anticipating greatness.
– Pro Comp: Thomas Jones
3. Sony Michel, UGA
– The college football playoffs showcased Michel’s athleticism and likely put him into the 2nd round conversation. His skillset is reminiscent of Alvin Kamara’s with more power.
– Pro Comp: Jay Ajayi
4. Ronald Jones II, USC
– Jones II is a one-cut runner who attacks the line of scrimmage. In order to become a productive starter in the league he must improve his field vision and awareness. Consequently, these are two of the most difficult attributes for a running back to acquire.
– Pro comp: Jamaal Charles
5. Nick Chubb, UGA
– If the Barkley video impressed you, then check out what Nick Chubb did: As you can see, there is no question that Chub is a phenomenal prospect. He possesses all the tools necessary for a productive career in the NFL. However, Chubb never looked quite the same after suffering a devastating knee injury early in his college career.
– Pro Comp: Kareem Hunt
6. Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
– Not the most athletic, but good hands and a quick burst will enable him to thrive on the right team.
– Pro Comp: TJ Yeldon
7. Rashaad Penny, SDSU
– Penny is not as flashy as many of the guys on this list, but he is a complete back who will be a good player in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made an immediate impact as a rookie.
– Pro Comp: Jordan Howard
8. Royce Freeman, Oregon
– Freeman has the potential to be an every down back in the NFL. He ended his career with 5,621 yards, which is good for 7th all time. That is saying something, considering he was injured most of his Junior season.
– Pro Comp: Jonathan Stewart
9. Akrum Wadley, Iowa
– Wadley can do a little bit of everything. He played running back, lined up as a wide receiver, and returned kicks during his collegiate career. His ceiling is a 3rd down back in the NFL
– Pro Comp: Dexter McCluster
10. Josh Adams, ND
– I am not quite sure what to think of Adams. His running style reminds me of a Matt Forte & Brandon Jacobs hybrid. All that power mixed with those long strides is something the backfield has never seen before. It will be interesting to see how he is used at the next level.
– Pro Comp: Brandon Jacobs
Running Backs Fantasy Football Redraft Rankings
RB1 Ezekiel Elliott DAL
RB2 Le’Veon Bell PIT
RB3 Todd Gurley LAR
RB4 Leonard Fournette JAX
RB5 Alvin Kamara NO
RB6 David Johnson ARI
RB7 Melvin Gordon LAC
RB8 Saquon Barkley IND
RB9 Derrick Henry TEN
RB10 Devonta Freeman ATL
RB11 Kareem Hunt KC
RB12 Dalvin Cook MIN
RB13 Joe Mixon CIN
RB14 LeSean McCoy BUF
RB15 Mark Ingram NO
RB16 Christian McCaffrey CAR
RB17 Jordan Howard CHI
RB18 Jay Ajayi PHI
RB19 Carlos Hyde TB
RB20 Sony Michel SF
RB21 Lamar Miller HOU
RB22 Tevin Coleman ATL
RB23 Duke Johnson CLE
RB24 Bilal Powell NYJ
RB25 Dion Lewis NE
RB26 Marshawn Lynch OAK
RB27 Darrius Guice NYG
RB28 Ty Montgomery GB
RB29 C.J. Anderson DEN
RB30 DeMarco Murray WAS
RB31 Nick Chubb CLE
RB32 Alex Collins BAL
RB33 Ameer Abdullah DET
RB34 Matt Forte NYJ
RB35 Giovani Bernard CIN
RB36 Chris Carson SEA
RB37 Chris Thompson WAS
RB38 Isaiah Crowell BUF
RB39 Tarik Cohen CHI
RB40 Kenyan Drake MIA
RB41 Jerick McKinnon TEN
RB42 D’Onta Foreman HOU
RB43 Thomas Rawls MIA
RB44 Samaje Perine WAS
RB45 Theo Riddick DET
RB46 Kerryon Johnson MIA
RB47 Jeremy Hill SF
RB48 Samaje Perine WAS
RB49 Spencer Ware KC
RB50 Josh Adams CAR
RB2 Le’Veon Bell PIT
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- If they tag me, then I will retire. So, Pittsburgh signs Lev to a long-term deal.
RB8 Saquon Barkley IND
- Barkley is a generational talent. He should probably be higher than 8, but the Lucks health heading into 2018 limits his massive upside.
RB19 Carlos Hyde TB
- Tampa Bay finally decides to invest in a running back. With Hyde next to Winston in the TB backfield, that offense even more dangerous.
RB20 Sony Michel SF
- Shanahan makes this pick, and he gets a guy that fits his system perfectly.
RB27 Darrius Guice NYG
- The Giants offensive line was miserable last year. So were their running backs. Now they call upon the powerful rookie to be the lead back.
RB30 DeMarco Murray WAS
- Washington needs more depth at the position, and decides that Murray still has some life in those 29-year-old legs.
RB31 Nick Chubb CLE
- Cleveland lets Crowell walk, and drafts his replacement in the 5th round.
RB38 Isaiah Crowell BUF
- Speaking of Crowell, the aging LeSean McCoy needs some help.
RB41 Jerick McKinnon TEN
- McKinnon replaces DeMarco Murray as Chris Henry‘s wing-man. Although it’s a perfect situation for McKinnon, this is definitely Chris Henry’s backfield.
RB47 Jeremy Hill SF
- The 49ers lose Hyde, but sign Jeremy Hill and draft Sony Michel. That is a huge upgrade to the position.
RB50 Josh Adams CAR
- A Backfield with Cam Newton and Josh Adams is terrifying.
Like what you read? Stay tuned to fantasycpr.com for Part 3: The Wide Receivers and Part 4: The Tight Ends.