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 21st to 25th in fantasy points
21. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati, 132.20 points
Hype train: Hop off
Bernard offers a difficult prospective based on his limited action at times. If Jeremy Hill has the hot hand, Bernard won’t see as much gametime.
However, if Hill struggles again next season, Bernard will be a go-to option for a solid offense. But we don’t generally like question marks when going with an RB2.
So while Bernard has upside, with the ability to catch balls out of the backfield, we believe he may be overrated next season.
We don’t see him as an RB2. He’s more of a flex option, and even then, we’re not sure if he can be totally trusted. When Hill was not like himself, Bernard shined with consistent double-digit performances. However, when Hill got back into the action, Bernard’s stock sunk.
Bernard managed less than seven fantasy points each week in the final six games. Expect more of that next year.
22. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay, 129 points
Hype train: All Aboard
We like the upside for the second-year pro.
Sims has to share backfield work with Doug Martin, but Sims is definitely the option as the pass catcher on a team that still could trail in several games next year.
Sims tallied 561 yards receiving this past season, 32 more yards than he totaled rushing. Martin also has a difficult contract negotiation coming up, allowing Sims even more opportunity to play for Tampa Bay.
He obviously has a good connection with quarterback Jameis Winston and he finished strong. He went for more than seven points in six of the final seven games.
He will likely be a strong flex and could be solid contributor as an RB2.
23. Jeremy Langford, Chicago, 125.6 points
Hype train: All Aboard
This is a no-brainer. Langford’s value is all about what his average draft position will be next year.
Will fantasy owners overvalue Langford based on his small sample size from this past season? Or will fantasy owners take a wait-and-see approach with him?
Matt Forte doesn’t appear to be coming back to Chicago, so that gives Langford the ability to be the number-one man for the Bears. And in the past, the running back position has been a great scoring position for fantasy owners.
Langford has the ability to easily be an RB1 for fantasy owners with an RB2 grade. As long as he doesn’t have a first-
round grade, he’s worth a look.
24. James Starks, Green Bay, 123.30 points
Hype train: Hop off
This spot and the 25th ranking is what made this past season’s fantasy year one of the most confusing. Starks finished ahead of starting running back Eddie Lacy in fantasy points.
Nobody predicted that coming into this past season.
Starks was a nice story and a good pickup off the waiver wire. But that’s about it.
Lacy will get the opportunity to start for the Packers next season. Starks will be a backup. A fantasy owner in your league will get ahead of themselves and see Starks’ stats from this season. Let that owner reach. Sit back and wait for a better option.
25. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay, 120.60 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Lacy can be a solid fantasy contributor. And as he showed last season, he can be an all-time dud, too.
We have to believe Lacy had nagging injury issues, so that’s why he suffered a major letdown. And he had a bit of a weight problem this season.
So if he can shave off a few of the excess pounds and get healthy, we anticipate Lacy will be a bargain for fantasy owners.
Fantasy drafts are all about value and potential upside. We realized this past season that it’s too difficult to predict if running backs will have injuries. So you have to draft based on what that player can contribute. Lacy has contributed well in the past and the Packers will be much healthier entering next season, giving that offense a chance to get back to what it showed two years ago.
