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NFL fantasy football: Ranking the 2019 rookie RB’s

By Chris Aliperto

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 29: Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) looks on in action during a preseason NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans on August 29, 2019 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 29: Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) looks on in action during a preseason NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans on August 29, 2019 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – AUGUST 15: Line Backer Leon Jacobs #48 of the Jacksonville Jaguars chases down Running Back Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on August 15, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – AUGUST 15: Line Backer Leon Jacobs #48 of the Jacksonville Jaguars chases down Running Back Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on August 15, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

NFL Fantasy Football: Ranking the Rookie RB’s

3. Miles Sanders – Philadelphia Eagles

While he was the second RB off the board at the draft last season, Sanders might find himself in the worst situation possible in Philly. Sanders was stuck behind Saquon Barkley at Penn State for the first couple years of his college career, but after finishing 2nd in the Big Ten in rushing after his junior season last year, he was ready for the show.

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I am curious to see how this situation will shake out, but you just don’t take a running back in the second round these days if you aren’t going to play him right out of the gate. While he may have the most talent, there are guys here who can do different things.

Jordan Howard is the likely starter, but this will be a committee from the get-go. Third-down receiving specialist Darren Sproles is still in the fold, and Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood were also decent when given run. Someone will be gone, but it will not be Sanders.

2. Josh Jacobs – Oakland Raiders

I wouldn’t bother with another NFL Fantasy Football article if I didn’t have a hot take, so here it is. Jacobs is a freak athlete and was the only RB taken in the first round of the draft last season, but is Oakland really the best landing spot for him? He is no doubt the starter and will be given the most run of any rookie right out of the gate. However, I do not think he will have as good of a fantasy season as Bears rookie David Montgomery. The Bears will be in games all season while the Raiders will be passing playing catch-up, so my bet is that Jacobs comes up short of being the top rookie back in this class this season.

1. David Montgomery – Chicago Bears

It is all about the situation, and the steady rise in ADP we saw for Montgomery all last month was a prime example. I am yet to hear one bad thing about this guy, and being the starting running back for the Bears is a pretty good gig if you can get it. Good O-Line, good young QB in Mitch Trubisky, and a run-first philosophy that relies on one of the best defenses in the league.

The only problem, for now, is that Tarik Cohen looks like he for some reason be given a chance to carry the load. Montgomery is listed third on the Bears depth chart at the moment, but the fact that he was held out of the final three preseason games after a solid debut week one which he found the end zone speaks volumes. After final cuts this weekend, my guess is the Bears RB depth chart looks a little bit different.

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Thank you for checking out my take on this solid crop of rookie running backs we have to watch this year. I hope you are able to grab a couple of them in your upcoming Dynasty draft, or maybe already have. A few more drafts are on my radar before the season starts over on Sleeper, and if anyone wants to join a league with me and some writers send me a DM on Twitter.

I may run a day draft on the afternoon of opening Thursday if I can find five or six of you so let me know if you are interested! This is going to be a week of nonstop NFL Fantasy content over here at FanSided Fantasy, so make sure to come back often. We have you covered from all angles season-long and DFS!

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