The top two running backs selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, Trent Richardson and Doug Martin, pretty much dominated the landscape of the fantasy football world. Meanwhile, sixth-round pick Alfred Morris, who flew under the radar, recorded over 1,600 rushing yards and 13 scores.
Overall, these three rookies combined for over 5,000 total yards and 37 touchdowns. All three finished as viable RB1 options, though Richardson's injury issues did cause a slip towards the end.
Who is the best option heading into 2013? Are all three going to be counted on to provide RB1 production? That's what I am going to look at here.
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2012 Statistics: 1,454 rushing yards, 49 receptions, 472 yards, 12 touchdowns and 262.2 fantasy points.
After Tampa Bay traded back into the first round of the draft last April, a lot of people were assuming he was going to share duties with LeGarrette Blount. As it turned out, the Boise State product took the bulk of the carries early and never looked back. Martin tallied over 100 total yards 10 different times, including a two-game stretch that saw him put up 486 yards and six touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders.
That is one of the most ridiculous stat lines that I have come across in a great while.
Overall, Martin finished second among running backs in fantasy points, trailing only NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. He did so with two of the best run-blocking guards on the sideline. Davin Joseph missed the entire season, while first-year Buc' Carl Nicks missed the final nine games. Just imagine what Martin will do with those two 100 percent healthy and ready to go. Expect him to challenge 2,200 total yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
2012 Statistics: 1,613 rushing yards, 11 receptions, 77 yards, 13 touchdowns and 241.0 fantasy points.
Robert Griffin III may have received most of the play as a rookie for Washington this past season, but his success on the field had a direct correlation with the production we saw from Morris on the ground. While not providing the PPR numbers that both Martin and Richardson put up, Morris did finish second to only Adrian Peterson with 1,613 rushing yards. He also tallied the second-most rushing touchdowns (13) in the NFL, behind Arian Foster. Overall, Morris put up seven 100-yard games and went for over 15 fantasy points seven times.
Needless to say, the 2012 rookie from Florida Atlanta put up RB1 numbers. He was, however, an under-the-radar performer in '12 simply because not many knew about him prior to a breakout Week 1 performance against the New Orleans Saints. That won't be the case this upcoming season as Morris will likely get some play in the first round.
Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
2012 Statistics: 950 rushing yards, 51 receptions, 367 yards, 12 touchdowns and 203.7 fantasy points.
If you like receptions and touchdowns, Richardson was your guy in '12. If your league focuses more on overall rushing yards and plays of 15-plus yards, Richardson probably didn't do a whole heck of a lot for you. That being said, he did a stellar job considering the situation that Cleveland was in on the offensive side of the ball. It had a rookie quarterback, rookie No. 1 wide receiver and even a first-year right tackle.
Considering that Richardson had the box stacked against him a vast majority of the time as a rookie, he did a decent job in terms of production. He ranked No. 7 among running backs in fantasy points, making him a strong starting candidate throughout the season. Overall, Richardson put up double-digit fantasy points in 11 of the 15 games that he appeared in.
Richardson's success will depend, in large part, on what Cleveland does in the passing game. Brandon Weeden isn't guaranteed to be the starter moving forward and I highly doubt that Colt McCoy will be given another opportunity to start under this new regime. Whether it is Alex Smith or Matt Flynn as possible veteran acquisitions, each will provide Richardson a bit more balance on offense. As it is, you have time to figure this out before standard league' drafts start months from now. As it relates to dynasty and keeper league' drafts, he is a solid option.
2013 Rankings
1. Doug Martin
2. Trent Richardson
3. Alfred Morris