Fantasy Football Running Back Targets: Late Round PPR
Welcome to the first installment of our four part series that will be analyzing late round targets for each of the core positions of fantasy football. We will be digging deep in finding these late round Fantasy Football Running Back values for you to gain a competitive edge in your PPR Fantasy Football Leagues.
With the NFL season less than 2 months away it’s never too early to start thinking about your Fantasy Football Draft. This series is targeting our five favorite players at each position that possess great upside compared to where they are currently being drafted. Note that ADP is taken from Fantasy Football Calculator, only players with an ADP of round 10 or higher for 10 team PPR drafts were considered for our top Fantasy Football Running Back PPR targets.
Always remember to follow and tweet us @SteveZimkouski and @FantasyCPR for all your fantasy football news. Lastly, I want to give a special thanks to the team over @GhostDFSPicks and @jsandberg11 for their help on the research of this series. Now without further ado let’s get to the targets.
Aaron Jones
Green Bay Packers – Running Back
ADP – 10.04
Aaron Jones averaged 5.5 yards per carry before he went down last year with his season ending knee injury. His ADP will drop even more since he’s been suspended for the first two games of the 2018 season. Aaron Rodgers has been quoted as saying he has “zero worries” when Jones is in the backfield. In the past, RBs with Rodgers trust have had a leg up in playing time. Jones is also a more complete runner than Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery is more of a hybrid or gadget player than a true three down back. This could be a great way to get late round exposure to what should be one of the high scoring offenses in the NFL.
Fantasy Football Running Back Targets: AFC South Late Round Steals
D’Onta Foreman
Houston Texans – Running Back
ADP – 12.08
Under the Bill O’Brien regime, the Houston Texans have ranked first with 1,710 RB carries over the past 4 seasons. D’Onta Foreman was already on his way to supplanting Lamar Miller before his Achilles injury. Mainly because Miller turned in a career low 3.73 yards per carry in the 2017 season. Miller was also significantly out carried by Alfred Blue towards the end of last season (27-46 in weeks 15-17) showing a diminished role in the offense. The Texans with an improved passing attack thanks to quarterback Deshaun Watson and an easy schedule plays into positive game scripts. As with any injury stash pick be sure to follow the news regarding his injury but Foreman is the kind of risky pick that wins fantasy titles.
Nyheim Hines
Indianapolis Colts – Running Back
ADP – 13.07
The Colts are desperate for playmakers outside of TY Hilton and they may get one in Nyheim Hines. Hines has 4.38 speed and played a bit of slot receiver at NC State. Frank Gore leaves behind a whopping 261 carries and 38 targets. If the Eagles RB committee approach from last season under new head coach Frank Reich is any evidence what the Colts RB situation might shape into, Nyheim Hines skill set can potentially become an Alvin Kamara like weapon for a returning Andrew Luck. Darren Sproles and Corey Clement proved to be viable fantasy assets under Reich and Hines is of a similar mold. Hines main competition is Robert Turbin who is suspended for the first four games of the season and Marlon Mack who struggled with pass protection and fumbling issues last season. Mack also missed all of training camp after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Fantasy Football Running Back Targets – Late Round PPR Steals
Devontae Booker
Denver Broncos – Running Back
ADP – 13.07
Devontae Booker in his first two NFL seasons has averaged 11 touches per game with 84 total receptions. Yes, Royce Freeman is now there however don’t let that discourage you as John Elway labeled Freeman as 1st and 2nd down “thumper.” That is important because Booker who is a strong pass blocker and sports a career average of 8.9 yards per reception and will be locked in as the Broncos 3rd down and pass catching back.
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With the Broncos backfield simplified between just Booker and Freeman, there should be a lot of opportunities especially in negative game scripts. Throw in upgraded quarterback play with Case Keenum and 4 potential shootouts in the division alone with the Raiders and Chiefs, Booker is a very nice late round pick.
Frank Gore
Miami Dolphins – Running Back
ADP – 14.06
This pick is more about the running back competition than what the 35-year-old Frank Gore can bring in his 14th season. Gore’s main competition for touches is Kenyan Drake who has yet to be named the starter for the Dolphins. Drake was only thrust into a bellcow role after Damien Williams went down last season. In fact, Drake has never carried the ball more than 133 times in a season which can lead to a wear down factor or potential injury if given the true bellow role. Gore has time and again found his way on the field over promising younger players and has a strong potential to be the Dolphins goal line back. Throw in the narrative of coming home to Miami where he is both from and played his college football at the University of Miami, Gore will be as motivated as he’s ever been.
Next: Fantasy Football Players to Target and Avoid in your Draft
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