X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Biggest Risers and Fallers of 2017 - Running Backs

RB risers and fallers from the 2017 NFL season. Chris Mangano looks at the running backs whose fantasy football value increased or decreased most by ADP.

We've already looked at the biggest risers and fallers at the quarterback position. This time we examine the most volatile of positions, running back.

As is usually the case, the running back position produced plenty of surprises both good and bad. Rookies played a huge role in 2017, as expected, but a few NFL veterans surprised us as well.

As we gear up for the final game of the 2017 NFL season, Super Bowl LII, let's look at some of the biggest risers and fallers at the running back position in 2017 according to ADP.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Biggest Risers of 2017 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley (RB, LAR), ADP: RB11

After a breakout rookie season in 2015, Gurley fell falt in his 2016 campaign and fell down draft boards as a mid to late second rounder. All he did in 2017 was break fantasy football. In Weeks 14-16, the fantasy playoffs, he scored the most PPR points IN HISTORY over that stretch. He finished the season as the number one overall scorer and averaged 25.6 points per game. Gurley will be a shoe-in top five pick, and we've seen him go as high as number one in early mocks.

Alvin Kamara (RB, NO), ADP: RB52

Kamara was one of a handful of rookie running backs that took the NFL by storm. He started slow, but took off after the Saints traded Adrian Peterson and never looked back. From Week 7 on, with the exception of Week 14 where he left on the first drive after suffering a concussion, Kamara scored at least 15 PPR points in every game. He finished the season as RB3 behind only Gurley and Le'Veon Bell, and averaged 19 points per game. Considering he was undrafted in a majority of leagues, or at best a late round grab, Kamara truly was a league-winner this year and will certainly be going in the first round of 2018 drafts.

Kareem Hunt (RB, KC), ADP: RB10

Before the injury that ended Spencer Ware's season, Hunt was just a late round bench stash with potential upside. But after the Ware injury he shot up draft boards and eventually settled as RB10. He rewarded owners willing to take the risk with a torrid start, scoring 45 PPR points in the first game of the season and following that with back-to-back 25 point games. He had a lull in Weeks 8-13, but turned it on once again just in time for the fantasy playoffs. We'll have to wait and see what the Chiefs do with Ware, but it's hard to see Hunt not holding onto this starting job. He'll certainly be going early in fantasy drafts come August.

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS), ADP: NA

Thompson was rarely drafted, although yours truly was grabbing him late everywhere I could. He ended up having a breakout year, averaging 15.1 PPR points per game, which ranked 11th best on the season among running backs. If not for a season-ending injury Thompson may have joined Kamara as a late round league-winner. Still, his role in the Redskins offense is locked in, and with no other real threat he should once again have a productive 2018 campaign, though his value as a sleeper is now long gone.

Other Risers: Dalvin Cook (RB, MIN), ADP: RB14, Carlos Hyde (RB, SF), ADP: RB17, Mark Ingram (RB, NO), ADP: RB25, Duke Johnson (RB, CLE), ADP: RB38, Dion Lewis (RB, NE), ADP: RB58, Alex Collins (RB, BAL), ADP: NA, Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA), ADP: NA

 

Biggest Fallers of 2017 - Running Backs

Jay Ajayi (RB, PHI), ADP: RB7

Ajayi was coming off a big 2016 campaign and drafters expected more of the same from the former Dolphins running back. Unfortunately it never happend, as Ajayi only scored double-digit PPR points in six games and never topped 14.6 points. Even after being traded to the Eagles, things didn't get better, as he joined a full-blown RBBC--a specialty of head coach Doug Pederson. Ajayi will likely find himself being drafted in the late rounds in 2018 at best.

Isaiah Crowell (RB, CLE), ADP: RB15

Crowell was a sleeper pick entering the 2017 season, as the Browns newly-bolstered offensive line promised to open up more holes for the back. Unfortunately this was the same old Browns, playing from behind week after week and being mostly ineffective on offense. Crowell only had three good fantasy games, but by then owners couldn't trust him in their starting lineups. With Hue Jackson returning for another year as head coach, Crowell and the entire Browns offense will likely be one to avoid next year.

Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET), ADP: RB24

How many chances can we give Abdullah? Perhaps 2017 was finally the last straw. In 32 games with the Lions, Abdullah is averaging just 39.1 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. He even lost his starting job to satellite back Theo Riddick late in the season. Unless the Lions trade him to a much better situation, which doesn't seem likely, Abdullah will certainly be nothing more than a late round bench stash at best.

Paul Perkins (RB, NYG), ADP: RB34

Perkins, like Crowell, was another sleeper entering the 2017 season. The reasoning was someone on the Giants had to run the ball, right? Nevermind the fact that Perkins is a plodder and highly inefficient. Despite being active for 11 games, Perkins never saw more than nine carries and lost his job to both Orleans Darkwa and rookie Wayne Gallman. Barring any moves in the off-season, it seems likely the Giants will enter 2018 with Darkwa and Gallman as the top two on the depth chart, leaving Perkins with little to no role. Perkins is unlikely to be drafted in any redraft formats in 2018.

Other Fallers: DeMarco Murray (RB, TEN), ADP: RB8, Lamar Miller (RB, HOU), RB:18, Doug Martin (RB, TAM), RB:22, Danny Woodhead (RB, BAL), ADP: RB26, Mike Gillislee (RB, NE), ADP: RB27

 

More Year In Review Columns




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Laken Tomlinson

Confident in Texans Offensive Line
J.K. Dobbins

the Starter in Denver?
JT Woods

Seahawks Release JT Woods
Darren Waller

Trade to Miami Becomes Official
Asante Samuel Jr.

Dolphins Interested in Asante Samuel Jr.
Nyheim Hines

Seeking Return to NFL
Dak Prescott

Expects to be Full-Go for Training Camp
Ajay Mitchell

Posts 16 Points in Summer League Win on Monday
Milwaukee Bucks

Vasilije Micic Waived by Bucks
Brice Sensabaugh

Logs 37 points in Summer League Win on Monday
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
GG Jackson II

Collects 27 Points in Summer League Loss
Ace Bailey

Scores 18 Points in Summer League Victory
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Kobe Bufkin

Cleared for Summer League Action
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Milwaukee Bucks

Vasilije Micic Agrees to Contract Buyout with Bucks
PGA

Sungjae Im Still a Liability at Scottish Open
James Wiseman

Pacers Bring Back James Wiseman
Ludvig Aberg

is a Solid Option at Scottish Open
Tyrese Haliburton

to Miss Entire 2025-26 Campaign
Paolo Banchero

Signs Historic Five-Year Extension with Magic
Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ketel Marte

Day-to-Day with Groin Tightness
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Hunter Greene

Suffers Setback on Monday
Kyle Lowry

Staying With 76ers
Kyle Anderson

Lands in Utah
Kevin Love

Traded to Jazz in 3-Team Swap
Norman Powell

Traded to Miami
John Collins

Dealt to Clippers
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied For 14 at Travelers Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 61 at Travelers Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Tied For 17 at Travelers Championship
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 11 at John Deere Classic
Viktor Hovland

Withdraws From Travelers Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied For Second at Travelers Championship
Brian Campbell

Wins John Deere Classic
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 10 Points
Harrison Ingram

Limited on Sunday
Golden State Warriors

Isaiah Mobley Drops 16 Points
Ryan Rollins

Staying with Bucks
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
Terry McLaurin

Still Not Pleased with Contract Situation
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Yu Darvish

to Make Season Debut on Monday
MLB

Nationals Fire Dave Martinez, Mike Rizzo
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF