By Andrew Banks

If I have learned anything about football in the last few years it is that this is a young man’s game. The name of the game is to get younger and cheaper. When it comes to running backs nothing could be more true. The position is younger than I ever remember it. Le’Veon Bell and David Johnson are the oldest out of the top tier running backs at 26 years old. The average age of 1st round running backs this year is 24 years old. Younger backs return more value than older ones as they just stay healthier throughout the season. Maybe this is why rookies have led the league in rushing the past 3 seasons (I’m very high on rookie Saqoun Barkley). I always hear questions about whether you should load up on elite running backs or elite receivers early in your draft. To me, there’s no wrong answer to that question. It depends on where you pick in your draft and who is available when it’s your turn to pick. The most important thing to remember when drafting is VALUE. So make the best selection based on that players ADP ( average draft position) and where you are picking.

The running back crop this year is very top heavy. You have guys like Bell, Johnson, Gurley, and Elliot who are bonafide RB1s. These are the true “set it and forget it” guys this year. Then you have a group of very good that includes Hunt, Kamara, Barkley, Gordon, Cook, McCaffrey and Fournette. You would be happy with either one of those players on your team.

Players like Lesean McCoy, Devonta Freeman and Jordan Howard are better served as safe RB2s even though they have put up RB1 numbers in past seasons. You want to draft players who have the highest probability of a positive outcomes. There are numerous question marks surrounding McCoy who is turning 30 this year. He is also dealing with a possible suspension due to the league investigation his domestic violence case. Add to the fact that the Bills might be starting rookie Josh Allen or a combination of AJ McCarron or Nathan Peterman. For his current ADP of 26, that is just way too high for me. He has no business going ahead of a guy like Jerick McKinnon. I would not trust him as a RB1 this year.

As for running backs 20-30 I have my eyes on Mark Ingram, Royce Freeman, Dion Lewis and Carlos Hyde.

1. Todd Gurley
2. Le’Veon Bell
3. David Johnson
4. Ezekiel Elliot
5. Alvin Kamara
6. Saquon Barkley
7. Kareem Hunt
8. Melvin Gordon
9. Dalvin Cook
10. Christian McCaffrey
11. Leonard Fournette
12. Devonta Freeman
13. Kenyan Drake
14. Joe Mixon
15. Jerick McKinnon
16. Jordan Howard
17. LeSean McCoy
18. Lamar Miller
19. Alex Collins
20. Mark Ingram
21. Jay Ajayi
22. Dion Lewis
23. Carlos Hyde
24. Royce Freeman
25. Derrick Henry
26. Tevin Coleman
27. Isaiah Crowell
28. Rex Burkhead
29. Marshawn Lynch
30. Tarik Cohen

Sleepers:

Mark Ingram– Ingram is serving a 4-game suspension so he will be available at a discounted price in your drafts. Once he returns he is a good bet to pick up where he left off last season when he scored 12 touchdowns and 58 catches. Try to beat your other league members to him and piss them off. Pair him with Kamara on your team and stash him. You’ll be glad you did.

Royce Freeman– Freeman has a good chance to be the lead back in Denver. GM John Elway described him as a “workhouse back” and the competition is light for the starting gig in Denver. The offense should be sneaky good with Case Keenum replacing the train wreck that was Trevor Semian and Paxton Lynch. Plus they face the Chiefs defense twice in October. That’s a recipe for at least 100 yards rushing yards every time. I would not be surprised if he catches 30-40 balls as well. He has some mid round value.

Dion Lewis-You would think that moving from a Tom Brady offense to a Marcus Mariota offense would be a downgrade, but maybe not. Henry will be the starter but Lewis has been a better runner during his career. He averaged 4.98 yards per carry last season. Mariota has not had a back like Lewis in his career and he should benefit from his pass catching ability. It’s certainly possible that Henry proves to be ineffective and we could see Lewis take on an even bigger role. He has the upside of a strong RB2 in PPR with his floor being a solid flex option.

Carlos Hyde–

https://es.pn/2o55lZk

I have said this before but you need to watch or at least pay attention to the preseason. If you have been pay attention Hyde’s usage has been pleasantly high. He has 109 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. He passes the eye test so far. Hyde should start the season as the starter and get the early down work. He played on a bad 49ers offense at the beginning of the year. The O-line in Cleveland will be an upgrade from San Francisco. Rookie Nick Chubb will stunt some of his potential but I could see Hyde getting off to a hot start and earning more trust from Tyrod Taylor and the Browns coaching staff. He could be a solid RB2 or a weekly flex play.