Top End Fantasy Running Backs You Should Avoid in the Draft

By Vincent Frank on Thursday, September 1st 2016
Top End Fantasy Running Backs You Should Avoid in the Draft

As the 2016 fantasy football draft season draws to a conclusion here in the coming days, more information is coming out regarding some of the game's top backs. 

We already knew Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell was going to be suspended for the first three games of the season. That hasn't changed much in regards to him over the past several weeks. Bell's ADP stood in the top two before news of the suspension broke. It's not been consistently been near the bottom of the first round (12-team leagues). 

Outside of Bell, there's been some issues impact NFL's top fantasy running backs during the preseason slate. Here are some you should consider avoiding due to situations both well within their control and completely out of their control. 

Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls missed the team's entire off-season program after breaking his ankle late in his rookie season. He's also been held out of the team's preseason games. While Rawls has sat, the likes of Christine Michael and un-drafted rookie free agent Troymaine Pope continued to impress. In fact, Pope's performance enabled Seattle to release seventh-round pick Zac Brooks. 

While Seattle has consistently indicated Rawls will be ready to start Week 1, there should still be some concern here. After all, the second-year player is being valued as the 14th-best running back in terms of ADP. Having not played since mid December and with competition for touches, it really is hard to value Rawls that high. 

The same can be said for Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who tore his ACL last October. A report earlier on Thursday indicated that Charles might not play Week 1. Slow in terms of coming back from that serious injury, Charles is also facing stiff competition with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West having performed at a high level in his stead last season. 

Charles is currently the eighth running back off the board near the top of Round 2 in 12-team leagues. Are you really willing to bank on him as a solid RB1 option moving forward? In reality, Charles' value seems to be as a top-end RB2 with an upside within the top 10. It's in this that picking up a RB1 option towards the end of Round 1 and doubling down with Charles in the second round could make sense. 

Stay In Touch

Scores

No NFL games.
No NFL games.
No NFL games.
NFLFantasy

Malik Nabers Cleared from Concussion Protocol, Ready for Week 7

Malik Nabers Injury Update - Clears Concussion ProtocolGiants WR Malik Nabers has officially cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, according to reports. This clearance means Nabers is set to return to...
NFLFantasy

Brian Robinson Limited in Practice, Eyeing Week 7 Return Against Panthers

Brian Robinson Injury UpdateWashington Commanders RB Brian Robinson returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, marking a positive step forward as he recovers from a knee injury. This...
NFLFantasy

Cooper Kupp Limited in Practice, Week 7 Status Uncertain

Cooper Kupp Injury UpdateRams WR Cooper Kupp was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, working through individual drills as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Head Coach Sean...
NFLFantasy

Jordan Mason Limited with Shoulder Injury, 49ers’ RB Situation in Flux

Jordan Mason Injury Update49ers RB Jordan Mason was limited in Wednesday’s practice due to a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has labeled Mason as "day-to-day,"...
NFLFantasy

Davante Adams Set for Jets Debut After Hamstring Recovery

Davante Adams Injury UpdateJets WR Davante Adams, recently acquired from the Raiders, participated fully in Wednesday’s practice, signaling a significant improvement in his hamstring condition. Adams’ recovery coincided with his...
NFLFantasy

Najee Harris Misses Practice with Rib Issue, Likely Rest Day for Steelers RB

Najee Harris Injury UpdateSteelers RB Najee Harris did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a rib issue, raising questions about his availability for Sunday night’s game against the Jets....
Load More