2010 Fantasy Football's Most Under & Overrated Running Backs
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Every season, we under or overvalue players in the offseason; it’s the nature of the beast. Whether it is personnel changes around them, scheme changes, or injury concerns, something jumps out and makes us either love or hate a player before the season even begins. Earlier this week, we looked at a few of the quarterbacks who I believe are undervalued and overvalued, based on their Average Draft Position (ADP). Today, we’ll consider some running backs who’s ADP doesn’t quite match their value.
(Note that just because I think someone is overrated, doesn’t mean I don’t think they will perform this season. I just think the cost of drafting them is too high. Likewise, if someone is underrated, it doesn’t mean they will be the top fantasy scorer at their position, just that they will outperform their draft position.)
UNDERRATED
Ricky Williams (ADP 69, RB 30)
Despite putting up scoring more fantasy points than Ryan Grant (ADP 21) and Jonathan Stewart (ADP 31) in 2009, Williams is again going significantly lower than them in 2010 drafts. Ricky may be on wrong side of thirty (he turned 33 in May) and competing with Ronnie Brown for touches, but the curious case of Ricky Williams is not one to be ignored. He took off, essentially, two full seasons from 2006-2007, and by all accounts takes tremendous care of himself. Last year’s stats may be atypical, and I don’t expect him to match that production this season, but he will certainly outpace his draft position. As the 30th running back off the board, he is being drafted as a flex player, but should give mid-level RB2 stats with the occasional spikes when Brown misses a few games. Williams offers a great return on investment with a very reasonable floor.
Ricky Williams (ADP 69, RB 30)
Despite putting up scoring more fantasy points than Ryan Grant (ADP 21) and Jonathan Stewart (ADP 31) in 2009, Williams is again going significantly lower than them in 2010 drafts. Ricky may be on wrong side of thirty (he turned 33 in May) and competing with Ronnie Brown for touches, but the curious case of Ricky Williams is not one to be ignored. He took off, essentially, two full seasons from 2006-2007, and by all accounts takes tremendous care of himself. Last year’s stats may be atypical, and I don’t expect him to match that production this season, but he will certainly outpace his draft position. As the 30th running back off the board, he is being drafted as a flex player, but should give mid-level RB2 stats with the occasional spikes when Brown misses a few games. Williams offers a great return on investment with a very reasonable floor.
OVERRATED
Rashard Mendenhall (ADP 11, RB 8)
Mendenhall’s road to fantasy stardom is not paved as finely as some would have you believe. His quarterback is suspended for the first 4-6 games, his right tackle is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, his pets’ heads are falling off. OK, the last one isn’t true (as far as I know), but the point remains that the Steelers are having a rough offseason. Add to that, Mendenhall has consistently had problems with short yardage and goal line situations, and his price tag this early seems inflated. Although rookie Jonathan Dwyer appears to have drawn the ire of the coaching staff, Mendenhall still doesn’t seem likely to fill the role of the team’s goal line back. Ultimately he’s a mid to upper-level RB2 with a RB1 price tag.
Rashard Mendenhall (ADP 11, RB 8)
Mendenhall’s road to fantasy stardom is not paved as finely as some would have you believe. His quarterback is suspended for the first 4-6 games, his right tackle is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, his pets’ heads are falling off. OK, the last one isn’t true (as far as I know), but the point remains that the Steelers are having a rough offseason. Add to that, Mendenhall has consistently had problems with short yardage and goal line situations, and his price tag this early seems inflated. Although rookie Jonathan Dwyer appears to have drawn the ire of the coaching staff, Mendenhall still doesn’t seem likely to fill the role of the team’s goal line back. Ultimately he’s a mid to upper-level RB2 with a RB1 price tag.
UNDERRATED
Thomas Jones (ADP 90, RB 37)
Jones is another guy on the wrong side of thirty (he turns 32 next week) who, like Ricky Williams, is playing a few years below his age. It wasn’t until his fifth year in the NFL that he surpasses 140 carries in a season. Now in Kansas City, Jones will likely split carries 50-50 with Jamaal Charles, which is a good thing for Jones’ owners. Limiting his touches will take an appreciable toll on his yardage totals, but it should allow him to make it through the entire season healthy and fresh. Head coach, Todd Haley, seems high on Jones, and has referred to him as a “beast.” He won’t be the 1400 yard, 14 TD he was in 2009, but he is certainly in a position to vulture enough goal line looks to stay fantasy relevant. Drafted 37th among running backs, he should finish the season in the top 20-25 at his position, making him a solid RB2.
Thomas Jones (ADP 90, RB 37)
Jones is another guy on the wrong side of thirty (he turns 32 next week) who, like Ricky Williams, is playing a few years below his age. It wasn’t until his fifth year in the NFL that he surpasses 140 carries in a season. Now in Kansas City, Jones will likely split carries 50-50 with Jamaal Charles, which is a good thing for Jones’ owners. Limiting his touches will take an appreciable toll on his yardage totals, but it should allow him to make it through the entire season healthy and fresh. Head coach, Todd Haley, seems high on Jones, and has referred to him as a “beast.” He won’t be the 1400 yard, 14 TD he was in 2009, but he is certainly in a position to vulture enough goal line looks to stay fantasy relevant. Drafted 37th among running backs, he should finish the season in the top 20-25 at his position, making him a solid RB2.
UNDERRATED
Justin Forsett (ADP 113, RB 42)
Forsett is getting sleeper hype from all angles this offseason, and I’m jumping right on the bandwagon. Despite an underwhelming offensive line and a number three spot on the depth chart, Forsett’s chances for a breakout year look promising. He was the most consistently productive back in Seattle last season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry (YPC). Despite his small stature, a heavier workload doesn’t appear to be a problem for Forsett, whose YPC increased to 6.3 in games where he logged at least 10 carries. His excellent pass-catching skills only add to his value, solidifying him as an excellent flex with upside for RB2 production.
Justin Forsett (ADP 113, RB 42)
Forsett is getting sleeper hype from all angles this offseason, and I’m jumping right on the bandwagon. Despite an underwhelming offensive line and a number three spot on the depth chart, Forsett’s chances for a breakout year look promising. He was the most consistently productive back in Seattle last season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry (YPC). Despite his small stature, a heavier workload doesn’t appear to be a problem for Forsett, whose YPC increased to 6.3 in games where he logged at least 10 carries. His excellent pass-catching skills only add to his value, solidifying him as an excellent flex with upside for RB2 production.
OVERRATED
Ryan Mathews (ADP 17, RB 11)
I get the hype, I really do. He’s a big, strong back who dominated the college ranks (the WAC isn’t the SEC, but it’s also not high school) who looks to get the bulk of the carries for an offensive juggernaut in the San Diego Chargers, stepping into the vacated shoes of future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. He’ll also be playing under Norv Turner, who somehow turned Lamont Jordan into a 1,000 yard back. Ryan Mathews will have a solid rookie campaign, but I’m not so sure he’ll take over like some expect. Because of that, he is a risk I am not willing to take this early in the draft. The mid-late rounds are the time to roll the dice; this early in the draft is all about reliability and minimizing risk. I’d love to hit a homerun in the first two rounds, but my primarily goal is not to miss. In the new NFL, with dynamic aerial offenses becoming the standard, I am not investing a second round pick in an unproven rookie when studs like Reggie Wayne (ADP 17) and Miles Austin (ADP 21) are still on the board. Note for PPR leagues: Mathews had 19 total receptions in 3 seasons at Fresno State, so don’t be surprised to see him replaced by Darren Sproles on passing downs.
Ryan Mathews (ADP 17, RB 11)
I get the hype, I really do. He’s a big, strong back who dominated the college ranks (the WAC isn’t the SEC, but it’s also not high school) who looks to get the bulk of the carries for an offensive juggernaut in the San Diego Chargers, stepping into the vacated shoes of future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. He’ll also be playing under Norv Turner, who somehow turned Lamont Jordan into a 1,000 yard back. Ryan Mathews will have a solid rookie campaign, but I’m not so sure he’ll take over like some expect. Because of that, he is a risk I am not willing to take this early in the draft. The mid-late rounds are the time to roll the dice; this early in the draft is all about reliability and minimizing risk. I’d love to hit a homerun in the first two rounds, but my primarily goal is not to miss. In the new NFL, with dynamic aerial offenses becoming the standard, I am not investing a second round pick in an unproven rookie when studs like Reggie Wayne (ADP 17) and Miles Austin (ADP 21) are still on the board. Note for PPR leagues: Mathews had 19 total receptions in 3 seasons at Fresno State, so don’t be surprised to see him replaced by Darren Sproles on passing downs.
OVERRATED
C.J. Spiller (ADP 61, RB 27)
He’s a human highlight reel with absurd speed and great ability in space. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush, which is both a compliment and a disclaimer. Spiller has the same physical build as Bush, largely the same skill set and a lot of the same limitations to his game. Also like Bush, Spiller will be second on the depth chart behind an undrafted running back whose skills are more suited to being an every-down back. The Bills will move him all over the field to try and get him the ball, and he’ll take on at least some return duties. But Buffalo’s offense is one of the worst in the league, which will limit Spiller’s ability to reach the endzone on a regular basis. Unless you play in a points-per-reception (PPR) league where touchdowns are devalued, Spiller isn’t worth the price. The man ahead of him on the depth chart, Fred Jackson (ADP 76) is going two rounds later, and is a much better value.
Which other players do you feel fit into this category?
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C.J. Spiller (ADP 61, RB 27)
He’s a human highlight reel with absurd speed and great ability in space. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush, which is both a compliment and a disclaimer. Spiller has the same physical build as Bush, largely the same skill set and a lot of the same limitations to his game. Also like Bush, Spiller will be second on the depth chart behind an undrafted running back whose skills are more suited to being an every-down back. The Bills will move him all over the field to try and get him the ball, and he’ll take on at least some return duties. But Buffalo’s offense is one of the worst in the league, which will limit Spiller’s ability to reach the endzone on a regular basis. Unless you play in a points-per-reception (PPR) league where touchdowns are devalued, Spiller isn’t worth the price. The man ahead of him on the depth chart, Fred Jackson (ADP 76) is going two rounds later, and is a much better value.
*Average Draft Picks taken from mockdraftcentral.com
Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly.
Do you agree/disagree that these running backs are over or underrated?Which other players do you feel fit into this category?
Leave us a comment or reply to us on Twitter @TheFantasyFix
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, ADP, Draft, Ricky Williams, Thomas Jones, Justin Forsett, Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Matthews, C.J. Spiller, Reggie Bush, Fred Jackson, LaDainian Tomlinson, LaMont Jordan, Reggie Wayne, Miles Austin, Darren Sproles, Norv Turner, Johnathan Dwyer, Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
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