Don’t write off Phillip Lindsay as a viable fantasy back

The Denver Broncos signed Melvin Gordon in free agency, but Phillip Lindsay should not be dismissed as a viable fantasy running back in 2020.

An undrafted free agent out of nearby Colorado, and despite not topping a 50 percent snap share in a game until Week 7, Phillip Lindsay had 1,037 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the Denver Broncos as a rookie in 2018. Then he topped 1,000 yards again last year.

However inexplicably, despite Lindsay dealing with a wrist issue that required surgery for the second time in as many years, the Broncos signed Melvin Gordon in free agency this offseason. You don’t sign someone of his ilk without an idea to make him the workhorse, and that appears to the plan.

Lindsay is in line for a contract extension, but there doesn’t appear to be great progress in those talks right now. All in all though, doubt about his future with the Broncos is on the periphery of a broader conversation.

As a rookie, Lindsay finished as RB13 in full PPR fantasy scoring and RB12 in standard scoring. Last year, with a small drop-off in yardage, two fewer scores on the ground and three quarterbacks starting games for the Broncos (including Brandon Allen), he was RB19 in standard and full PPR.

According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (subscription required), Lindsay sees the new system being brought in by offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as a great fit for him.

"I think it’s gonna be simpler for us to learn,” “And I think it’s going to be aggressive. I just think that it’s what fits my style, and I’ve been able to adapt to every style, but I think that this style right here is something that is going to fit me, kind of like how my rookie year was. I’m excited about that."

In 2017 and 2018, Gordon came in as RB5 and RB8 in full PPR. Last year, as he held out from the Chargers for four games and took a little bit to get on track, he was RB23 in full PPR. In 2018, his backfield mate Austin Ekeler was RB25 in full PPR and RB24 in half PPR. In 2019, with Gordon on the field for 12 games and driven by top-notch receiving production, Ekeler was RB4 in full PPR and RB7 in standard scoring.

Gordon has at least eight rushing touchdowns and more than 40 receptions in four straight seasons. So he is well-suited to a three-down role. but Lindsay’s role should not go away. In the simplest terms, Gordon has played all 16 games once in five seasons. He also has just one 1,000-yard season on his resume (1,105 yards in 2017), though he was close to a second in 2016 (997 yards).

As expected, the collective fantasy dauber is down on Lindsay. Via Fantasy Football Calculator, his ADP is RB41 in full PPR (pick 9.05, 12-team leagues). In standard scoring, he’s coming in as RB33 (pick 7.11, 12 teams). To compare, Gordon is going off the board at RB18 (pick 3.06) in full PPR and all the way up at RB11 (pick 2.10) in standard.

Drafting Gordon comes with the inherent expectation he’ll finish at least close to a RB1. Frankly, there are upper-tier backs I’d rather have in the same draft range. Lindsay’s ADP is below guys like Damien Williams, Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones right now, which is probably all I have to say about that.

The Broncos are paying Gordon to be a bell cow and deliver, and he might do so as fantasy owners profess their faith by drafting him. But stashing Lindsay on a roster in a draft or auction is virtually all upside. Recent history says there will be room for him to produce sharing the backfield with Gordon this year.