Jeremy Hill – A true 3-down workhorse. This guy is going to be a top 5 back this year. They are playing a much tougher schedule, but it won’t matter with Jeremy Hill running. Remember, this guy put 1,000 yards on the ground in half a season. This guy is ELITE. Forget Gio Bernhard, he’s over-rated and Hill is just as good, catching the ball. Hill is a 235 lb TANK that the Bengals won’t take off the field. My #4RB, Projection – 1,200 Yds rushing, 280 receiving, 12 total TD’s. – Pick him in the 2nd round. (he’ll most likely drop there).
Lamar Miller – There is some concern that the Dolphins won’t use Lamar as a workhorse. They like to spell him with guys like Daniel Thomas that ruins his fantasy value but this year Lamar bulked up a bit to take on a heavier role. The added weight is usually a concern for running backs, but I don’t believe it will matter much in this case. He’s also in the second year of the “Chip Kelly” offense with Bill Lazor (Ex-chip OC) as the offensive coordinator. Miami will move the ball this year with their new toys in the receiving game. Ryan Tannehill is projected as my #2 QB, and once Miami gets in to the lead, they will be running the ball. My RB#6 - Projection – 1150 Yds rushing, 280 receiving, 10 TD’s – Pick him in the 3rd to 5th Rd
Arian Foster – How many difference makers can you snag in the 5th – 7th round? This guy is the man. Go get him. The injury he sustained was likened to a sports hernia surgery. The recovery time for these injuries is much shorter than a groin tear. Arian is already in the Texans’ facility working out to get back in to shape according to the coach. – My RB#7, #5 when healthy. Projection – He’s elite. If he comes back strong, he will win you your league. – Pick him in the 5th to 7th Rd.
Chris Ivory – This guy is a mean runner and MAJORLY under-rated. I think his ADP is in the 6th Round or later. He breaks tackles at an elite pace and now the Jets have him catching the ball to make him a 3-down back. This guy is going to be NASTY. He is an under-rated pass-catcher and the Jets overall will be an under-rated team this year. With Darell Revis, Cromartie, Fitzpatrick and a host of other new toys on both offense and defense, I can easily envision the Jets moving the chains and playing ball-control. They also have a cupcake schedule this year. Chan Gailey will make Ivory a top 15 back this year and likely a top 10. My RB#8, Projection – 1,200 Yds rushing, 240 receiving, 10TD’s – Pick him in the 4th to 6th RD (where he will likely fall).
Mark Ingram – He envisions himself as a 3-down back. So do I. The Saints have been so good passing the ball the last few years, that few people noticed how much they ran the ball. They’ve also publicly stated that they want to lean more on the run now that Drew Brees is getting older. Mark Ingram is now their bell-cow who will dominate the touches with new addition Max Unger on their O-line. CJ Spiller also started the season nicked up which may give more opportunities to Ingram and Khiry. Not the sexiest of picks, but he’ll get it done. Projection – 1,150 Yds rushing, 170 Yds receiving, 11 TD’s. Pick him in the 3rd to 5th RD. Update: I need to revisit the receiving yards, I might have under-projected.
Marshawn Lynch – Still an Elite back but he will be affected just enough by the addition of Jimmy Graham and the loss of Max Unger that I will have to put him as my RB#10. Projection – Pick him if he drops to the 2nd round. Projections – 1,170 Yds Rushing, 8 Rush TDs 28 Receptions, 270 Rec Yds, 2 Rec TDs
Frank Gore – People are projecting him to be a monster. He will be. He is a Beast. But maybe not to the extent that he is being projected as. He is in a juggernaut of an offense, and I like his chances of being in the top 20RB’s. Remember, he is 32 years old now. I have him as my RB#16. I believe the Colts will run an RBBC to keep him fresh with a guy like JOSH ROBINSON. Which leads me to my next pick! My #16 RB, Projection – 800 Yds Rushing, 5 Rushing TDs, 47 Catches, 375 Yds 4 Rec TDs – Pick him in the 5th – 6th Rd.
Josh Robinson – This guy is better than Boom Herron. He is the back of the future. The coaches like him and see him as a 3-down back. He can catch, and he can run. He sheds tackles with the best of them in the league. He is also SLOW. But you know who else runs a 4.7 40-time as an elite back? Arian Foster! You will not regret it if you pick this guy up. He will split carries with Frank Gore to make him FLEX worthy, and if Gore gets hurts, WATCH OUT!. Projections w/ Gore – My #35 RB, 550 Yds Rushing, 4 TDs, 33 Receptions, 260 Rec Yds, 3 TDs - Pick him in the 12th to 15th Rd.
Branden Oliver – Not my favorite pick, but the coaching staff sees him as potential lead back. Melvin Gordon has not been nearly as sexy as most thought he would be in the pre-season. You might have to wait till week 4 for this guy to be useful once they figure out Melvin isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. Woodhead is not a threat to Oliver. The coaching staff stated they view him as a workhorse before they drafted Gordon. Pick him in the 15th Rd or wait till Melvin flops in the first few weeks and pick him up before they pull Gordon off the field. He's going undrafted in a lot of leagues. Great value in the 12th or later as a FLEX.