The Next Great Fantasy RBs (1 Viewer)

[Ned Ryerson]

I had this idea after looking at the QB thread and a bunch of top 10 lists for next year. I think it is pretty clear that pretty much every top 10 RB list will be comprised of the following names in some order (this presumes that everybody stays with the same team, even though I am aware this is far from a certainty)-

D. Murray

McCoy

Lacy

Lynch

Peterson (I acknowledge that this is a bit of a cheat, as I realize that he has a small chance of returning, but he is getting older, and was trying to get some thoughts on the "next tier" guys)

L. Bell

Foster

Charles

Forte

I'm curious to see what the pool thinks will be the consensus "next five" for 2015.

Discuss-

 

[tdmills]

The RB class of 2015 will be in that top 10 and next 5.

Gurley, Gordon, Ajayi, Coleman, Davis, Yeldon, Abdullah, Cobb, etc. Very talented RB class

 

[Ned Ryerson]

The RB class of 2015 will be in that top 10 and next 5.

Gurley, Gordon, Ajayi, Coleman, Davis, Yeldon, Abdullah, Cobb, etc. Very talented RB class

Top 10 of RBs overall? You're thinking there will be multiple rookie RBs that go in the first two rounds of a start-up redraft?

 

[mr roboto]

CJ Anderson, Mason

 

[pizzatyme]

There are too many moving parts here to get a good gauge, but here are a few that I think could be in play:

CJ Anderson

Tre Mason

Boom Herron

CJ Spiller

Robert Turbin

Knile Davis

 

[ShamrockPride]

I like Charles Sims. I think Bucs let Martin walk after next season.

 

[MattFancy]

Depending where Ingram ends up, he could make a run at the top 10

 

[Two Deep]

Jeremy Hill

 

[MattFancy]

There are too many moving parts here to get a good gauge, but here are a few that I think could be in play:

CJ Anderson

Tre Mason

Boom Herron

CJ Spiller

Robert Turbin

Knile Davis

Agreed. I think RB is very fluid rankings wise going into next season. Even guys that are thought of now as top 10 guys could change depending on where they end up (Murray and Lynch). Then you have a guy like Forte who is will have a new offensive system and is getting older that could dampen his expectations.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Obviously, Hill. He was in the top 10 this year only starting half the year.

 

[steelers1080]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

 

[steveski]

Obviously, Hill. He was in the top 10 this year only starting half the year.

Still would have to consider him at the back end of that spectrum. Gio will be healthy again and that puts a damper on things when ranking him amongst the top RB's.

 

[IHEARTFF]

depending on who goes where in FA and who gets drafted where, I like these guys

CJ Anderson

M Ingram

J Hill

L Murray

B Oliver

R Matthews

M Gordon

T Gurley

 

[Two Deep]

I wonder how the RB position will play out in Seattle. Does Lynch stick around? If not does Michaels get a shot in that run heavy offense?

 

[MattFancy]

I wonder how the RB position will play out in Seattle. Does Lynch stick around? If not does Michaels get a shot in that run heavy offense?

Think whomever the RB is in Seattle next season has a shot at the top 10, be it Lynch, Turbin or Michaels.

 

[elbowrm]

Fozzy Whitaker

 

[Donnybrook]

CJ Anderson

Doug Martin

Mason

Ellington

Jeremy Hill

 

[Ned Ryerson]

CJ Anderson

Doug Martin

Mason

Ellington

Jeremy Hill

Do you think he gets that chance in TB?

 

[JFS171]

Jerick McKinnon has the potential to be an outright stud. Remember he was converting from college QB to RB this year and still ended up averaging 4.8 YPC as a rookie on 113 carries. He added 27 receptions for another 135 yards, which isn't a steller YPC, but shows the ability to be a factor in the passing game.

I think he's going to be a monster post-Peterson.

 

[White Lightning]

I will most likely be drafting L. Murray assuming the new regime continues to put an emphasis on the run. I think he will be the cheapest of the high upside RBs, and a perfect RB3-4 in 10-12 team leagues.

 

[Tau837]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

The 49ers are changing their coaching staff, so who knows how the offensive philosophy will change?

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I will most likely be drafting L. Murray assuming the new regime continues to put an emphasis on the run. I think he will be the cheapest of the high upside RBs, and a perfect RB3-4 in 10-12 team leagues.

I know he is on Oakland, but considering how big a mess the position is throughout the league, I think you are dreaming to perceive that L. Murray will be there for you in that range as a 6th or 7th round pick.

 

[Tau837]

depending on who goes where in FA and who gets drafted where, I like these guys

CJ Anderson

M Ingram

J Hill

L Murray

B Oliver

R Matthews

M Gordon

T Gurley

I am a Chargers fan and I am very skeptical about Oliver. I do not believe the Chargers will go into next season with just Oliver, Woodhead, and Donald Brown at RB. I think they will either draft a RB or add another veteran via free agency. Oliver will probably have a role, but I cannot see him as the next "great" fantasy RB.

 

[tdmills]

The RB class of 2015 will be in that top 10 and next 5.

Gurley, Gordon, Ajayi, Coleman, Davis, Yeldon, Abdullah, Cobb, etc. Very talented RB class

Top 10 of RBs overall? You're thinking there will be multiple rookie RBs that go in the first two rounds of a start-up redraft?

I don't play redraft, you said "next great RB's" I assumed dynasty.

 

[jurb26]

J. Hill and T. Gurley.

 

[White Lightning]

I will most likely be drafting L. Murray assuming the new regime continues to put an emphasis on the run. I think he will be the cheapest of the high upside RBs, and a perfect RB3-4 in 10-12 team leagues.

I know he is on Oakland, but considering how big a mess the position is throughout the league, I think you are dreaming to perceive that L. Murray will be there for you in that range as a 6th or 7th round pick.

That's assuming you're drafting your RB3-4 in the 6th and 7th round. In a 10 team redraft I usually pick up my RB3 in the 4-6th round. I think Murray will be around then.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I have to decide between Hyde-McKinnon-L. Murray as my 2nd keeper.

 

[FF Ninja]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

Gore has not cracked the top 10 since 2009 and Gore was a much better RB than Hyde. Hyde would need a large number of short yardage TDs, likely achieved by statistical anomaly or drastically improved offensive system, to ever crack the top 10.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

Gore has not cracked the top 10 since 2009 and Gore was a much better RB than Hyde. Hyde would need a large number of short yardage TDs, likely achieved by statistical anomaly or drastically improved offensive system, to ever crack the top 10.

The 49ers stopped throwing the ball to Gore during the Harbaugh regime, plus he's been past his prime for at least the last two years (2014 and 2013). There will be a new coaching staff with a new offensive philosophy starting in 2015, so looking back at the last several years doesn't tell us all that much.

It's also debatable whether Gore was a "much better RB than Hyde". Gore had a great career and was a great RB, but Hyde was drafted a round higher (Gore may have dropped as a result of his injury history though) and many pundits had him as the best back of this past draft class. He was pretty impressive at OSU. With youth on his side, I'd certainly say he should be better than Gore of the last several years if not the Gore in his prime (which admittedly would be tough given Gore has set that bar high).

 

[TDorBust]

Pick From Hat: Well here is the guy I think

There is no way in the world you can tell me you can pick the next big RBs right now because the draft and free agency have not concluded. I think if anything was shown this year is that location is better than talent almost in Fantasy Football. Now if we were talking about Dynasty Rankings then possibly you could get a pretty good idea of who over time is going to produce but way to early for Redraft rankings past the top 10 solid producers that are guaranteed to be #1 RBs after training camp.

 

[MattFancy]

Pick From Hat: Well here is the guy I think

There is no way in the world you can tell me you can pick the next big RBs right now because the draft and free agency have not concluded. I think if anything was shown this year is that location is better than talent almost in Fantasy Football. Now if we were talking about Dynasty Rankings then possibly you could get a pretty good idea of who over time is going to produce but way to early for Redraft rankings past the top 10 solid producers that are guaranteed to be #1 RBs after training camp.

Which I think makes taking a RB early tough next season. Now, alot can and probably will change between now and fantasy drafts, but unless I have a top 6 pick next season, it's going to be really hard to take a RB early.

 

[pizzatyme]

Doesn't the top flight RBs pretty much dispel the notion that RBs are a dime a dozen? I mean Bell, Lynch, Lacy, etc. are extremely valuable to their teams and it would be a monumental task to replace them. I'd say we should see more 1st Rd. RBs going forward but it probably won't happen.

 

[MattFancy]

Doesn't the top flight RBs pretty much dispel the notion that RBs are a dime a dozen? I mean Bell, Lynch, Lacy, etc. are extremely valuable to their teams and it would be a monumental task to replace them. I'd say we should see more 1st Rd. RBs going forward but it probably won't happen.

I think there's only a select few of those though. Outside of Bell, Charles, McCoy and Lacy, the other potential top 10 guys have some question marks.

Murray - Depends where he ends up. If back in Dallas, easily top 3.

Lynch - Does he stay in Seattle? If not, could impact his ranking.

Foster - Another year older and missed games this season due to injury. Great when healthy.

Peterson - Where does he go?

Forte - What will happen in a new offense and he just turned 29

I mean those guys are all going to be top 10 picks more than likely, but do you really feel confident with some of those as your RB1?

 

[pizzatyme]

Doesn't the top flight RBs pretty much dispel the notion that RBs are a dime a dozen? I mean Bell, Lynch, Lacy, etc. are extremely valuable to their teams and it would be a monumental task to replace them. I'd say we should see more 1st Rd. RBs going forward but it probably won't happen.

I think there's only a select few of those though. Outside of Bell, Charles, McCoy and Lacy, the other potential top 10 guys have some question marks.

Murray - Depends where he ends up. If back in Dallas, easily top 3.

Lynch - Does he stay in Seattle? If not, could impact his ranking.

Foster - Another year older and missed games this season due to injury. Great when healthy.

Peterson - Where does he go?

Forte - What will happen in a new offense and he just turned 29

I mean those guys are all going to be top 10 picks more than likely, but do you really feel confident with some of those as your RB1?

Sorry, I meant to say 1st rd. NFL draft picks.

 

[mphtrilogy]

Jeremy Hill

this

 

[petenice15]

Jerick McKinnon has the potential to be an outright stud. Remember he was converting from college QB to RB this year and still ended up averaging 4.8 YPC as a rookie on 113 carries. He added 27 receptions for another 135 yards, which isn't a steller YPC, but shows the ability to be a factor in the passing game.

I think he's going to be a monster post-Peterson.

McKinnon is the guy I'm looking to grab in all drafts next year. His athleticism jumps off the screen.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

Obviously, Hill. He was in the top 10 this year only starting half the year.

Still would have to consider him at the back end of that spectrum. Gio will be healthy again and that puts a damper on things when ranking him amongst the top RB's.

as of now I will be targeting Hill for this very reason.....people will be scared of Gio (especially after the snaps played in the playoff game)....and I think it will alllow Hill to fall where he will be decent value.....Gio was all the rage heading into this year and likely cost a few teams who burnt a very high pick on him last year....it seemed (at least to me) pretty clear who the more effective back was (injury or no injury to Gio)....

 

[FF Ninja]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

Gore has not cracked the top 10 since 2009 and Gore was a much better RB than Hyde. Hyde would need a large number of short yardage TDs, likely achieved by statistical anomaly or drastically improved offensive system, to ever crack the top 10.

The 49ers stopped throwing the ball to Gore during the Harbaugh regime, plus he's been past his prime for at least the last two years (2014 and 2013). There will be a new coaching staff with a new offensive philosophy starting in 2015, so looking back at the last several years doesn't tell us all that much.

It's also debatable whether Gore was a "much better RB than Hyde". Gore had a great career and was a great RB, but Hyde was drafted a round higher (Gore may have dropped as a result of his injury history though) and many pundits had him as the best back of this past draft class. He was pretty impressive at OSU. With youth on his side, I'd certainly say he should be better than Gore of the last several years if not the Gore in his prime (which admittedly would be tough given Gore has set that bar high).

Nah, not a chance. Hyde is ok, but Gore was the reason Clinton Portis entered the draft. He's a stud. He's also faced the most stacked boxes of anyone the past few years and still been productive in his 30's. Maybe a new staff can breathe new lift into this team, but I'd say there is at least a 50% chance the offense is not better than the past few years in the coming year. Boldin will be a year older and Crabtree will be gone. I expect Hyde will be overrated if competition is not brought in - something I wouldn't rule out.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Maybe a new staff can breathe new lift into this team, but I'd say there is at least a 50% chance the offense is not better than the past few years in the coming year.

I was just saying that Gore's value (especially in ppr leagues) took a hit during the last five years because the team did not throw to the RBs in Harbaugh/Roman's offense. That may change.

 

[steelers1080]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

Gore has not cracked the top 10 since 2009 and Gore was a much better RB than Hyde. Hyde would need a large number of short yardage TDs, likely achieved by statistical anomaly or drastically improved offensive system, to ever crack the top 10.

Hyde was a rookie getting used to the NFL, not all RBs are great their first year (see Le'Veon Bell). But the main thing I saw about Hyde was that he was often brought in on short yardage situations or situations where the other team knew the play would be a run (IE running out the clock or third and 1). Most backs have a tough time when the other team stacks the box, and it's hard to gain many yards when you're rushing from the 2 yard line.

I think if he's the RB1 next year with Gore gone he's easily a top 15 back.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Really like Tre Mason next year, lets see if Fisher sticks with him. They are building a good young squad up there, need a QB to keep em honest

 

[bigmarc27]

Just because I don't see him listed here, I'll throw Devonta Freeman's name in the mix. He'll get a good number of carries next year.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Doesn't the top flight RBs pretty much dispel the notion that RBs are a dime a dozen? I mean Bell, Lynch, Lacy, etc. are extremely valuable to their teams and it would be a monumental task to replace them. I'd say we should see more 1st Rd. RBs going forward but it probably won't happen.

I think this makes sense. I think that of the initial list in the OP all of those guys (outside of Peterson) probably go in the top 15 overall, maybe the top 12. After that, are there many people that have been listed who would you say you feel confident taking in the 2nd round?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

We don't know that about Hyde.

 

[ShaHBucks]

Whoever Atlanta drafts to play RB could be in this discussion soon.

 

[ryno1980]

Is Devonta Freeman just projecting as their 3rd down back of the future?

 

[saintfool]

lamar miller not even getting a mention?

the workload finally increased and he produced down the stretch. last 7 weeks of the season he was a top 10 producing PPR RB. last 3 weeks he was in the top 4. he's 23 years old and may have finally turned a corner in the eyes of the Phins.

 

[Two Deep]

If Ingram signs elsewhere, I would like to see what Khiry Robinson can do. He looked pretty talented during the time he was the starter when Ingram got hurt. Of course the Saints don't run the type of offense to produce a top 10 back.

 

[steelers1080]

Crowell and Carlos Hyde. Both are on teams that love to run the ball. The main thing holding each back is other RBs. If Gore leaves then Hyde becomes the workhorse. If West gets less playing time then Crowell will have the opportunity to flourish, esp. when Alex Mack comes back.

We don't know that about Hyde.

True, I should have said teams that historically have loved to run the ball. Both teams could have new OCs this offseason. Hopefully that improves their running game instead of hampering it.

 

[dcgangstas]

Obviously, Hill. He was in the top 10 this year only starting half the year.

Still would have to consider him at the back end of that spectrum. Gio will be healthy again and that puts a damper on things when ranking him amongst the top RB's.

as of now I will be targeting Hill for this very reason.....people will be scared of Gio (especially after the snaps played in the playoff game)....and I think it will alllow Hill to fall where he will be decent value.....Gio was all the rage heading into this year and likely cost a few teams who burnt a very high pick on him last year....it seemed (at least to me) pretty clear who the more effective back was (injury or no injury to Gio)....

Excellent assessment; agree fully.

I don't see Hill's role as the Bengals' primary workhorse changing in 2015. Gio will be productive as a change-of-pace RB and in passing situations, but Jeremy Hill is "the guy" in that power-running scheme now.

Hill led the NFL in rushing over the last 9 weeks of the season, and that's even with Hue and Marvin not designating him the starter until Week 13. Hill finished with 1339 total yards and 9 TDs last year in limited duty; he'll easily exceed that next year.