Which Rookie Running Backs will make the biggest impact this season?
Running Back is the most difficult position in Fantasy Football and clearly the most stressful. There are a handful nowadays that are considered true 3 down backs which is a huge reason the first round is flooded with them. As we also see from RB history, they age quickly and have top notch statistical years as early as there rookie year.
The NFL is destined now to beat these running backs into the ground from such an early age and then toss them to the curb just in time for there contract to run out. The NFL needs to fix this matter somehow but that’s an argument for another day.
When looking from a fantasy football perspective, rookie running backs are equivalents to someone buying a new sports car. They are flashy, have enormous appeal but can also be dangerous. The top running backs drafted mow down defenders, give us jaw dropping top-ten worthy moves but may come with a heavy price tag.
As I said some of the top running backs coming out of college pan out in fantasy football and some don’t. Let’s quickly look back at the last few years of some of the top backs.
Josh Jacobs not playing one down in the NFL was costing owners a 3rd round pick last year. David Montgomery was going shortly after in rounds 4-5. In 2018 we had the great Saquon Barkley who was being drafted in the first round, Royce Freeman going as early as late 3rd/early 4th round and Kerryon Johnson going around the end of the 5th. 2017 brought us several talented rookies going very early with most being worthy of there selected round. Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey and Kareem Hunt all being selected from the end do the 2nd round to beginning of the 4th.
As you can see owners paid up for these rookie running backs, sometimes successfully and other times not so much. With the 2020 draft in close distance I want to dive into the top tier running backs who could be impactful not only as an NFL player but most importantly as a fantasy football contributor.
D’Andre Swift (Georgia)
Swift is projected to be a first round pick and rightfully so. Swift does it all, whether it’s as an inside or outside runner. He has the awareness to read defenses, patiently find his blockers and quickly move past defenders with fantastic foot work. Swift doesn’t have elite speed but quick enough to move downfield with his strong lower body. His hands are plenty useful in his game which should make him easily a 3-down stud. Judging on the right home, Swift could be drafted as early as a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick in your fantasy league.
Jonathon Taylor (Wisconsin)
Taylor had an unbelievable 3 year career as a Badger, averaging over 2000 yards a season. Taylor is a downhill between the numbers back. Like Swift he is patient waiting for blocks to develop but differs from him with his open field home-run speed. He is a power running back who can thrive in the right offense that uses him as an inside runner. He’s a force in the run game but also is very talented as a receiver who can make some of the tougher grabs for a running back. His heavy duty workload in Wisconsin is worrisome to some scouts but he should be a solid contributor in the upcoming fantasy season.
J. K. Dobbins (Ohio State)
Another back with three-down starter ability and one who has been more durable then the 2 above. Dobbins enjoyed success as a Buckeye but clearly his best season was last as the clear workhorse back. His best trait is his acceleration. He has a quick first step which troubles the opposing defense. He has had much success finding the hole which speaks to his ball carrier vision and once he clear to the open field look out. Like the above 2 men he has found success in the receiving game and projects as an NFL starter. Dobbins rookie campaign may very well start out as a running back by committee but he seems too talented to not be a lead back for a squad.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU)
Clyde stands in at 5’7 but his short stature is scary to his opponents. He runs very low and smooth on the ground with the ability to make defenders pop out of there cleats with great cutting ability. He does a great job of hitting the right holes and is stronger then most people may lead you to believe. He continues to fight for every year and lays it all out in the field with his hard charging ways. He is another outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield and also a good blocker, making him a 3down threat. Some scouts feel Edwards-Helaire could end up being the best back in this draft. As of now it looks like he will be drafted behind the above men but given the right system, don’t be surprised if he jumps ahead of 1 or 2 of the men above during the draft.
There are several other talented running backs that I enjoy but these 4 seem to have the most potential and highest ceiling.
Enjoy the draft everyone and please follow us @grandcentralfan