Only one game remains in the 2015 NFL season, so we’re turning that sad reality into our way too early look at the 2016 fantasy football draft.
In this edition of looking ahead to 2016, we’re looking at five running backs who finished 16th to 20th in fantasy points
in 2015. We’ll see what their chances are next season in putting up more points for fantasy owners.
16. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina, 146.80 points
Hype train: Just right
We know what we’re getting with Stewart.
He’s going to finish at about this level (he was the 17th ranked running back entering the season), and he likely won’t do much worse or better.
He’s consistent and that helps by being a part of Carolina’s offense. On one hand, it’s a run-first offense. On the other hand, Cam Newton will steal touchdowns and yards on a weekly basis.
Their is some age associated with Stewart and he missed the final three weeks of the season with an injury. That likelihood of getting injured won’t go away with age.
But he’s a safe pick in the late fourth to sixth rounds of fantasy football drafts.
17. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo, 146.70 points
Hype train: All Aboard
We give this with a major caveat. Buffalo saw its backup Karlos Williams and third stringer Mike Gillislee put up numbers at times in 2015, so we’re not sure if that will be an issue in 2016.
But if McCoy continues to stay on the field, he showed this past season that he can still put up fantasy points.
He reached double-digit points in nine of 11 games in which he played the majority of snaps. The other two games he still managed more than eight points.
His injury problems will likely put him down the fantasy list next year, making his value rise for the coming season.
18. DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia, 140.40 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Murray struggled in Chip Kelly’s offense. Now, without Kelly, he should at least get back to form where he finishes in the top-12 in points.
The biggest issue with Murray is injuries. But as we’ve mentioned before, you can’t necessarily skip a player only because of past injury issues. Anyone can injured (see 2015 running backs), so it’s better to take the best available player, instead of worrying about some injuries…in most cases.
Murray will be motivated next season and with him being likely rated in the lower teens entering next season, he will provide solid value for fantasy owners.
19. Ronnie Hillman, Denver, 137.40 points
Hype train: Hop off
This just shows how weak the running back crop was this past season in fantasy football.
Hillman was basically Denver’s backup for the majority of the season, but had some nice moments.
The biggest issue, though, is that he can’t be trusted. He doesn’t see the ball enough to be a featured back on any fantasy roster.
And his ranking will likely be a bit too high entering next season. He should be ranked as a backup for next season. However, we anticipate some fantasy owners to see his production from 2015 and artificially inflate his average draft position too high.
20. Rashad Jennings, New York Giants, 135.90 points
Hype train: Just right
We’re actually surprised Jennings made the top-20 list in points for 2015. And he managed more than 1,000 total yards, which also came as a surprise considering the Giants rarely run the ball.
The biggest problem with Jennings is like most of these running backs ranked at this level, he can’t be trusted.
The only reason we have listed as Just Right is because he finished the season with double-digit efforts. So we have some hope the Giants may focus more on Jennings, as they did toward the end of the season. And a bright spot for Jennings is that he’s likely the starter in a backfield featuring several average backs.
However, if his carries and production mirror what he did earlier in the season, it will be a long year on the waiver wire for Jennings next season.
