With the NFL season finished, 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 lower than 25 in fantasy points this year.
26. T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville, 119.90 points
Hype train: Hop on
Yeldon’s youth helps his outlook for 2016. The 2015 second-round draft pick had a firm grip on the No. 1 running back role for the Jaguars, which didn’t play as bad as many believed they would this past year.
In fact, the offense was solid, while the defense was atrocious. Much of that offensive prowess was because of Blake Bortles’ sudden emergence as a solid fantasy football option, but when healthy, Yeldon provides enough balance to keep defenses honest.
Yeldon missed four games due to injury, so that’s not a great sign for the rookie. But when he was on the field, he did enough to show that he should be a RB2 next season. He managed five games where he scored in double-digits and only went below eight points in four games.
And it wasn’t as if he was touchdown dependent. He scored only three touchdowns in 2015 en route to tallying almost 120 fantasy points in 12 games. He’ll find the endzone more next season, so don’t worry about his lack of touchdowns. Trust him next season and put him on a short list of consistent RB2s.
30. C.J. Anderson, Denver, 116.30 points
Hype train: Hop off
We’re lumping Anderson in the same category of Ronnie Hillman. There’s just not enough carries to satisfy these running backs.
The offense will likely have an inexperienced quarterback at the helm next year, meaning that defenses will key on the run, much like they did this past season. That focus on stopping the run stunted Anderson’s growth.
A bright spot with Anderson, which made him enticing this season, is his ability to do well toward season’s end. He once again was at his best at that time, going for three double-digit outings in the final six games.
We can’t wait that long for him to get it going, though. He went for seven of fewer points in eight of the first nine games. We can’t give him that much leeway, especially if his price tag will rise thanks to his late-season charge.
34. Duke Johnson, Cleveland, 103.30 points
Hype train: Hop off
Johnson had a decent rookie campaign for a terrible team. But we’re still not buying him for next season.
Cleveland’s quarterback situation is awful. That doesn’t bode well for any specialty players for the Browns. Isiah Crowell also is coming back as the starting running back, meaning Johnson should be taken later in drafts as a backup option.
Johnson was used mostly as a third-down running back, and in Cleveland’s offense, that was used often. With Cleveland finding itself trailing in most games, Johnson receive plenty of playing time later in the season.
But that didn’t exactly provide major fantasy points. He was consistently in the five-to-eight point range, which isn’t good enough for fantasy football owners.
Expect more of the same next year.
41. Justin Forsett, Baltimore, 91.40 points
Hype train: Hop off
We don’t mind Forsett. The only issue is that his value will be high. And with competition from Javorius Allen, we’re anticipating him to see far less carries.
The Baltimore Ravens experienced several injury issues in 2015, allowing the team to get a look at other options. Joe Flacco kept a firm grip on his job, but Allen showed plenty of promise for the future.
That’s a bad sign for Forsett.
The Ravens may employ a hot-hand approach or utilize both players early next season. Forsett likely won’t be consistent enough to be a RB2, meaning that he should be taken as a flier later in the draft or skipped altogether.
Don’t reach for Forsett or Allen. There’s too much uncertainty surrounding both running backs.
44. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh, 87.20 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Sure, Bell was injured or suspended for the majority of this season. But it’s rare to find a running back who can contribute for all three downs and have an offense that is superior to the opposing defense almost every week.
The offense was so good, that it didn’t matter that Bell was out for most of the season. The team just kept going.
And will Bell back in the lineup next season, the Steelers won’t miss a beat.
That’s why Bell should be near the top of the running back depth chart for fantasy football owners. He was a borderline top pick in 2015 and should have the same value next season. He’s a must pick at the top of the draft.
