2015 Fantasy Football: Rookie Running Backs
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Duke Johnson, Browns – Arguably the most explosive back in the draft, but the Browns backfield is too crowded to get excited about Duke’s fantasy prospects this season. Best case he has Darrin Sproles type value which is good enough for a roster spot and maybe a spot start during bye weeks. He has legit big play potential, but the presence of last year’s rookie backs (Crowell & West) will probably limit his touches. He’s likely to start the season as the Browns 3rd down back, which makes him a decent value in the 10th-12th round range.
Jay Ajayi, Dolphins – The Dolphins don’t seem to trust Lamar Miller to be a work-horse back. They brought in bums like Daniel Thomas and Damien Williams to split carries with Miller for some reason the last two seasons, and I think they will give Ajayi every chance to earn carries and keep Miller fresh. If not for some suspect knee x-rays Ajayi could have gone as high as the 2nd round after a very productive 2014 season at Boise St. He could be a steal for the Dolphins and a stealth fantasy pick late in the draft.
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Matt Jones, Redskins – A surprise 3rd round pick (I had him going in 6th) who the Redskins are apparently very high on. Jones is projected to take over Ray Helu’s role as the Skins 3rd down back. Helu never had enough value to crack fantasy lineups and I don’t expect Jones to either unless Alfred Morris goes down with an injury.
Sleepers: Josh Robinson, Saints; Thomas Rawls, Seahawks; Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers
Next: 2015 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Rankings