Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sport
Tier 12: Explosive Rookies Who Need an Injury
These are all players who stood out to me while scouting the draft and could make a fantasy impact if given an opportunity this year. They are all buried on the depth chart behind at least one successful RB, but between injury and lack of production, any of these guys could get a start or more this season.
53.) Tre Mason, Rams – He is the 4th string RB right now, but at this time last year Zac Stacy was the Rams 4th string RB and we know how that turned out. Jeff Fisher has proved that he has no problem shuffling the depth chart if he isnt’ happy with how players are performing. Fisher also prefers power backs and Mason has the ability to run between the tackles but also has the speed to run away from defenders in the open field. Mason was my #1 rookie RB at one point of the offseason, he eventually dropped to 3rd but I am still very high on his skill-set. With the Rams improved O-line, Mason could explode if given a chance to play. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the 3rd round pick is starting by week 9. If I end up investing in Stacy, the last spot on my roster will be for Mason. His 15 carries for 51 yard debut should worry Stacy owners.
54.) Alred Blue, Texans – I’ve been high on Blue since pre-draft and with the recent release of RB Andre Brown, Blue has suddenly jumped into the mix for the #2 RB slot behind notoriously injury prone Arian Foster. Blue had an impressive debut in week 1 of the preseason (5-30, 2-14) and could find himself as the starter at some point this season if (when) Arian Foster gets hurt.
55.) Ka’Deem Carey, Bears – Incumbent Matt Forte isn’t going anywhere. Barring injury Forte will be the Bears bell-cow back but the Bears have been looking for a reliable 2nd RB to spell Forte on the occasional drive. Last year Michael Bush got way more carries than he deserved in order to give Forte a rest, but if the Bears have a legitimate RB to spell Forte then he may see quite a few touches per game.
56.) Storm Johnson, Jags – No one is talking about the rookie RB out of South Florida, but they should be. The Jags signed free agent RB Toby Gerhart in the offseason to be the #1 RB, but Gerhart has never had over 109 carries and is already banged up. Diminutive Jordan Todman (5’10, 198) stands in the way of Storm taking over the #2 job, but Storm is bigger, stronger, just about as fast and an equally adept receiver out of the backfield. Storm also was Blake Bortles backfield mate at South Florida, so once Bortles takes over (week 7?) having a familiar presence like Storm in the backfield with him won’t hurt. He had a nice game against the Bears this week (8 touches, 34 yards) and Storm is a dark-horse breakout pick, I like him that much.
57.) Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ravens – Dark horse. Ray Rice lost his burst, Pierce averaged 2.9 ypc last year, and the Ravens are implementing a new zone blocking scheme. They drafted Taliaferro specifically for their new scheme and he may be the best zone back on the roster. Taliaferro had an off-field incident which nay keep him off the field at some point, but if he can stay out of trouble I think he’s going to be the Ravens starter by the time the fantasy playoffs roll around.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 13: Interesting Handcuffs
These players all have enough skill to carry the torch if the starter goes down. I’m not sure any of them have enough juice to keep the job, but they can put up decent fantasy numbers if they are forced into the starting lineup.
58.) Khiry Robinson, Saints -I think he might be the most talented RB on the Saints roster and from what I hear the Saints coaching staff agrees with me. Robinson cam out of nowhere to average 4.1 ypc as a short yardage back last year. Mark Ingram is in a contract year and likely gone next season, so I think Robinson’s usage may increase this year. Robinson had no catches last year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he can’t do it. Like with Ingram, if one of the other RBs in the committee gets hurt, Robinson’s value will go up.
59.) Lance Dunbar, Cowboys – An explosive, but injury-prone backup behind an injury prone starter. I rarely ever draft hand-cuffs but if I was going to, a situation like Dunbar’s is tempting. If Murray were to miss time with injury, Dunbar has enough talent to put up similar numbers.
60.) Darren McFadden, Raiders – I think I can finally say I have given up on DMC. I have owned him in at least one league (usually 3-4) the last four years and he just keeps letting me down. DMC is not the same guy he was at Arkansas or his first couple years in the league. Injuries have sapped McFadden’s explosiveness and unless he shows some glimpses of his old self in the preseason and beats out MJD, I’m not going to own DMC this year. Just to be sure I’m going to take a smoke break when he gets nominated in case my man crush resurfaces.
61.) Jonathon Stewart, Panthers – I’ve always considered Stewart the most talented RB on the Panthers roster, he just can’t stay healthy. His carries have gone down year seasons since his breakout year in 2011. I mentioned the Panthers WR & OL problems in my take on D. Williams and they obviously apply to Stewart as well. You would be better off just avoiding all the Panthers RB all together unless you can get one with your last pick or for $1.
62.) James Starks, Packers – Looks healthy for once and is in a great situation as the Packers backup / occasional 3rd down back. Starks is tall for an RB, but has a great burst and good vision in the open field. He’s also a reliable receiver which adds to his value playing next to Aaron Rodgers, who might throw the best screen pass in the league. 2nd-year player Eddie Lacy will be the focus of the running game, but Starks will be #2 and get his share of touches every week.
63.) Knile Davis, Chiefs – Jamaal Charles is one of the top 3 running backs in the game, but he is small for a 300 touch player and has been injury prone in the past. If Charles stays healthy then Knile Davis has no value, but if he were to go down Davis has a similar, though less impressive, skill set as Charles and should slide seamlessly into the Chiefs offensive scheme if Charles goes down
64.) Chris Ivory, Jets – Jets HC Rex Ryan has already claimed the team will be running the dreaded RBBC with Ivory, CJ3, and Bilal Powell. Considering they will probably be facing 8 men in the box due to their QB problems and none of the three will end up with 200 carries, I recommend passing on all but maybe Johnson.
65.) CJ Anderson, Broncos – Montee Ball is currently recovering from an appendectomy, but should be ready by week 1. Supposedly Ronnie Tillman is the #2, but he always seems to excel in training camp until the pads come on. Anderson is a stout back (224 pounds) with good burst and if Ball has any complications in his recovery, then Anderson could be viable in fantasy until Ball is ready. Basically whoever plays next to Manning will be solid and Anderson is a more well-rounded RB than Hillman, his competition for the #2 job.