Unlike other years in fantasy football, there really isn’t a clear-cut option at the top of draft boards.
The top six spots are basically set, with running backs Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch, Le’Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy, and wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Bell would likely be the clear-cut favorite if it wasn’t for the two-game suspension he will endure at the beginning of the season. Fantasy football owners will have to weigh Bell’s production during the remainder of the season against his absence in the first two games.
It’s impossible to find another running back who can not only rush the ball, but also nab catches out of the backfield as well as Bell. Bell finished second in rushing yards last season, and hauled in the most receptions for a running back last season.
Those two games are looming large over Bell, and there could be a slight issue with the amount of weapons on the Pittsburgh Steelers this year. Brown also will get his fair share of touches and emerging red zone target Martavis Bryant could steal away some touchdowns from Bell.
Lynch and Lacy are your typical bruiser running backs, with Lacy on an offense that is so good, he will get plenty of opportunities to help move the ball and score touchdowns. Lacy finished tied for second with nine touchdowns, while Lynch’s appeal was a little higher last season, with 13 rushing touchdowns, tied for the best mark in the NFL.
However, with Lynch, his amount of carries during his career will eventually wear him down. Is this the year where he feels the brunt of those carries? If so, running backs have shown in the past to fall off the cliff in a hurry.
The only other player who could compete with Bell on catching balls in the backfield and running the ball is Charles. He suffered through injuries last season, but despite those injures, Charles still finished second in the NFL in touchdowns by a running back with nine and rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
He also finished with five touchdowns receiving on the year.
Then there’s Peterson, who when he was at his best, was the best fantasy football player. However, he sat out 15 games last season after a suspension. If he returns to his pre-suspension ability, fantasy football owners couldn’t go wrong with his production. The Minnesota Vikings will likely lean on him, as second-year starter Teddy Bridgewater continues his development.
There’s likely not a bad order for these players, but on my draft board, it’s Peterson, Bell, Charles, Brown, Lacy and Lynch.
