MY TOP PPR RUNNING BACKS TO TARGET

August 27th, 2015
Thursday

MY TOP PPR RUNNING BACKS TO TARGET

With my next fantasy draft coming up in a couple of days, the emphasis in this next draft is PPR and no position will be more important than my backfield. 

As many of may be hearing and seeing, even with the recent onslaught of injuries and suspensions the wide receiver still seems to be the deepest it's ever been. Quite simply fantasy owners can not escape the fact that the running back is by far the highest contact skill position, providing the biggest risk; drafting depth always is and will once again be a premium in PPR or standard leagues.

With my upcoming draft, I am focusing on production yes, but just as important in my thought process is opportunity. In fantasy, opportunity is the prelude to utilization and production.

What I am looking for in my top targets, touches, targets, and production. With this criteria in mind as I prepare for my draft, here are my top running backs to target;

2014 numbers:
Jamaal Charles, KC - 206 carries, 40 receptions, 59 targets (265 chances)
Le'Veon Bell, PIT - 290 carries, 83 receptions, 105 targets (395 chances)
Arian Foster, HOU - 260 carries, 38 receptions, 59 targets (319 chances)
Mark Ingram, NO - 226 carries, 29 receptions, 36 targets (262 chances)
Lamar Miller, MIA - 216 carries, 38 receptions, 52 targets (268 chances)
Justin Forsett, BAL - 235 carries, 44 receptions, 59 targets (294 chances)
Andre Ellington, ARI - 201 carries, 46 receptions, 64 targets (265 chances)


Last season was a bit of a down season for Charles and based on his total chances in 2014, I only see that number increasing a lot.

Bell was a fantasy stud in 2014 and despite the two game suspension to start this season, he should be able to improve upon these numbers from a year ago.

Foster is someone I am looking at trying to steal early. His numbers may taper back a bit this season due to the early injury, but once he's healthy he'll see volume and produce.

Ingram is someone I think I am likely to value higher than most. I believe he can be a bell-cow in New Orleans and with no Immy Graham, the Saints offense will have a more conservative look this season.

Playing in what should be an improved offense, behind a rising star quarterback I can only see Miller continuing his ascent as one of the more reliable runners in the league.

Forsett is another one of those backs I may be valuing higher than most. I watched a lot of his games last season and I am a believer in his skills. He may lose some goal line touches to a bigger back, but he's still going to see plenty of work in the pass game.

I don't really like chasing sleepers and I am not sure that these backs would be considered, but Doug Martin  (missed 5 games last season) in Tampa and Rashad Jennings (208 chances in 11 games) are a pair that I will target in mid-rounds to add depth.

Just my take.

~David G

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FIVE

Friday Edition

September 28th, 2012  

FSH Fantasy Five

Week 4 Running Backs

Week 4 has some interesting twists and matchups, but with three weeks in the books (nearly a quarter of the regular season), we have a much better feel of what to expect….or do we?

Cedric Benson, GB

There’s absolutely no reason to believe that (head coach) Mike McCarthy’s Packers are going to change anything about how they attack opposing defenses, but I definitely think he’s not too smart for his own good. The Packers throw the ball and just about better than anyone else in the league, but facing the league’s worst run defense this week, they will run; enter Mr. Benson. Cedric is not off to a hot start this season, but he’s shown he can still be productive when called on; in week 2 he toted the rock 20 times for 81 yards. This week against the Saints (allowing 5 yards per carry) Benson should have little trouble finding running room; he’s a good low end RB2 this week.

Alfred Morris, WAS

The Redskins main guy in the backfield, rookie running back Alfred Morris is enjoying a solid 2012 campaign, ranked 9th in rushing with three touchdowns and a solid 4.3 yards per carry average. On Sunday he’ll line up in the backfield set to take on the Buccaneers stout number one ranked run defense. Morris is not going to find too many holes on Sunday, but facing the Bucs shaky secondary (ranked last in the league) the Redskins should still enjoy plenty of success moving the ball, putting Morris in line to add to his three scores this season. He’s not going to tally big numbers on the ground, but Morris should still be a safe low end RB2 play this week.

Stevan Ridley, NE

Ranked 11th in rushing this season (233 yards rushing), with five receptions for another 51 yards, the Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is finding plenty of ways to stay productive on Sunday. He’s only managed to cross the goal line once this season, but facing the Bills 15th ranked run defense (17th overall), I like Ridley’s chances to find pay-dirt at least once on Sunday. I am not too high on this kid this week, but I think Ridley will manage 80-plus yards with a score; a safe RB2 this week.

Willis McGahee, DEN

Despite the injury concerns surrounding Broncos running back Willis McGahee, he is expected to play and should play well this Sunday against the league’s 23rd ranked defense. The Raiders have issues in the secondary and could be in for a long afternoon trying to cover the Bronco’s receivers. With success in the air, holes should be open for McGahee to find and even a couple of trips into the red zone. I expect to see McGahee get at least one in the end-zone this week against the Raiders run defense that has already yielded four touchdowns on the ground this season; start him.

Maurice Jones-Drew

The Jaguars offense has been far from fantasy stellar this season, but they have not been all that bad, especially running back Maurice Jones-Drew (ranked 3rd in rushing). Mo-Jo may have held out, but it looks like he kept in pretty good shape tallying 314 yards thus far this season on the ground. MJD has also kept himself active in the pass game with 8 receptions in three games. He’ll face the leagues 31st ranked run defense (Bengals) that is allowing a whopping 5.8 yards per carry and over 150 yards on the ground per contest. It’s never easy to predict big games, but it’s easy to say Mo-Jo is a solid RB1 this week.

By David Ortega