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2019 NFL fantasy: Late-round running backs

By Bruce Lamb

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 09: Alexander Mattison #25 of the Minnesota Vikings during a preseason game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 09: Alexander Mattison #25 of the Minnesota Vikings during a preseason game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 24:Boise State Broncos running back Alexander Mattison (22) clears a Utah State Aggies tackle during the game between the Utah State Aggies and the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 24:Boise State Broncos running back Alexander Mattison (22) clears a Utah State Aggies tackle during the game between the Utah State Aggies and the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2019 NFL Fantasy: Late Round Running Backs

# 4 – Alexander Mattison |MINNESOTA VIKINGS|

The Minnesota Vikings are going to run the ball more this season. They brought in Gary Kubiak as an offensive advisor and assistant head coach this offseason to lead the charge in the running game. Kubiak has a good history producing very good fantasy running backs, and I see no reason why he can’t do the same in Minnesota. They will run a zone-blocking scheme and run the ball a ton this season.

We know Dalvin Cook is the lead back in this offense, and he is in store for a big season should he stay healthy. That is the key here, staying healthy is something he has not been able to do during the first two seasons of his career. During his 2017 rookie season, he tore his ACL in week four. Then in 2018, he battled hamstring and knee issues throughout the season which hampered his production and caused him to miss games.

Mattison is battling with Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone for the backup role to Cook. Mattison has the most upside of those three and seems to be carving his path to winning that job. If you draft Cook, I’d for sure get Mattison as a handcuff as early as round 12. On to number three.

# 3 – Justice Hill |BALTIMORE RAVENS|

Hill is ascending up draft boards by the day as he is gaining a bigger role in the Baltimore Offense. The fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State is working his way to getting playing time in a crowded backfield in Baltimore. In his first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 10 carries for 33 yards to go along with 2 receptions for 16 yards. He followed that up against the Green Bay Packers by rushing 10 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. He did not have a reception in the game but is on his way to becoming the third-down back for Baltimore.

Mark Ingram is the lead back in Baltimore, but I think we will see plenty of Hill this season. Should anything happen to Ingram, he could leap past Gus Edwards and become a much bigger part of what should be one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman has had great success rushing during his stints as an offensive coordinator in San Francisco (2011-2014) and Buffalo (2015-2016). I see no reason why this does not continue with Baltimore, especially with Lamar Jackson leading the offense. Now for number two.

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