Fantasy Football: Players to avoid in 2020

Let’s talk about some running backs that you can’t trust in 2020 and who, ultimately, you should avoid drafting unless you enjoy being frustrated on Sunday afternoons.

Melvin Gordon (currently ranked as: RB15): An RB2 draft spot for Melvin Gordon? Absolutely not. I would avoid him altogether. He’s going to a new team in Denver, straight into a running back by committee with Phillip Lindsay.  The Broncos are an over-hyped team who I don’t expect to be that good and therefore they will likely be trailing the majority of the game. He’s also never been good catching the ball out of the backfield. All of these combined, it’s a recipe for disaster. I could easily see Melvin Gordon finishing as a RB30 or worse this year and it wouldn’t surprise me. He will be the epitome of frustration this year. I am certain he will have some ‘Melvin Gordon-like’ games where he has 14 carries for 42 yards and 2 TD’s (16.4 fantasy points). Sure…..we ‘love’ those games. But more than likely, you will be starting him hoping you get the 2018 version of Melvin Gordon and sadly, that version is long gone. I prefer someone like Chris Carson (RB16), James Conner (RB24), or Raheem Mostert (RB26). All 3 of these players are being drafted behind Melvin, but are all guaranteed to touch the ball more and be much more productive.

Aaron Jones (currently ranked as: RB8): If you’re looking for a consistent, dominant fantasy player, you’ve come to the wrong place. Aaron Jones was anything but consistent last year. Don’t get me wrong, the man might’ve won you several weeks with 3 and 4 touchdown outings, but other weeks, he was a downright disappointment. The Packers were a run-heavy team last year, more so than we had ever seen an Aaron Rodgers-led team. I don’t see that happening as much this season. Not to mention, the Packers just used a 2nd round draft pick to draft another RB (AJ Dillon) in an already crowded backfield with Jamaal Williams. Aaron just isn’t worth the first or second round pick you have to spend on him at this moment. He’s not consistent, and he will just frustrate you more and more as the season goes. Barring injuries to his fellow committee members, he just won’t be on the field enough to get enough fantasy points to warrant his current ADP. I prefer the upside of someone like Joe Mixon (RB7) or waiting to draft a RB to get a potential home-run in Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB14). I love Aaron Jones as a talent, just not as a fantasy player. Moving on.