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Chris Mangano lists his top late-round running back draft targets for ZeroRB strategy users in 2018 fantasy football leagues. These RBs could be sleepers and draft values.
In part one, I identified mid-round values at the RB position. Now it's time to dig even deeper. With running backs flying off the board at an insane clip this year, typically 8-10 are taken in the first round alone, elite wide receivers are being drafted at a big discount. This is the exact type of “economy” a ZeroRB drafter thrives in.
Grab elite WR1 and WR2 types in the early rounds while everyone else is going with running backs, then try to find the diamonds in the rough later in the draft. If you choose to go this route I am here to help you find those diamonds.
I’ll be updating this regularly as we get closer to the season and get more information. Some players may fall off the list, some new ones may show up. But as of today, these are my favorite ZeroRB running back targets in PPR drafts for the later rounds.
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Running Back Watch List
Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) ADP: 13.01
Many are calling Hines this year’s Kamara, but that seems like a stretch. Still, Hines is the prototypical change of pace back for the NFL and could see a big role in the passing game similar to Chris Thompson a year ago. They are pretty much the same size, both are 5’8 and weigh about 195. Last year Thompson was a ZeroRB gem until his injury, but that was because of how late you could draft him. Now Thompson is going much earlier, but Hines could be this year’s Thompson. While he likely will never get a ton of carries, even if Mack gets hurt, his explosiveness in the passing game will give him plenty of weekly value. Add in the fact that the Colts offense should be much improved and Hines could really pay off for those who wait on the position.
Matt Breida (RB, SF) ADP: 15.05
When Jerick McKinnon signed a four-year, 30 million dollar contract with the 49ers, the fantasy world lost their minds. And for good reason - McKinnon is the perfect back for a Kyle Shanahan offense that continually produces high-end RB1s in fantasy. But that doesn’t mean we should just ignore the rest of the backfield. In 2016, with Shanahan in Atlanta, as the team’s RB2, Tevin Coleman handled 118 carries and added 31 receptions in just 13 games. Breida will be in his second year with Shanahan, same with Coleman in 2016, and should see a bigger role even with McKinnon. Plus, McKinnon has never handled the kind of workload he is likely to see this year. While it’s unwise to try to predict an injury, McKinnon is a bit on the smaller side and if he does miss time Brieda will likely see a big bump in his usage. The 49ers should have a high-powered offense led by Jimmy Garapollo as well, so you want to get as many pieces as you can.
Chris Ivory (RB, BUF) ADP: 16.01
Ivory may drop off this list if LeSean McCoy can avoid a suspension, but for now he has to be considered. McCoy is facing the real possibility of missing significant time as the NFL investigates an alleged domestic violence incident. As we’ve seen just last year with Ezekiel Elliott, the NFL is cracking down harder on these types of issues. Since his 1,070-yard, seven-touchdown season back in 2015, Ivory has not looked great. But if McCoy were to miss time he would step into a major role in an offense that lacks many weapons. The situation isn’t great, and Ivory’s upside is probably low even without McCoy, but getting a potential 15+ touch guy this late just doesn’t happen often which gives Ivory plenty of value.
Kalen Ballage (RB, MIA) ADP: 17.01
Ballage joins a Miami backfield that should be led by Kenyan Drake with Frank Gore also mixing in. Ballage will likely offer little in the run game, but where he can really make his mark is in the passing game and return game. Ballage has the size to be an every-down back, but his lack of vision and decisiveness make it unlikely to happen at the next level. However, he had 44 receptions as a junior at Arizona State and could be a safety valve for Ryan Tannehill. Ballage should be a flex-type in PPR formats but doesn’t offer major upside.
T.J. Yeldon (RB, JAC) ADP: 18.02
When the Jaguars drafted Leonard Fournette with the number four overall pick, Yeldon became a forgotten man. But with the departure of Ivory, he now becomes one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy. In the three games Fournette missed last year, Yeldon averaged 12.7 PPR points per game. With Ivory gone, Yeldon should offer a safe PPR floor when Fournette plays, and a ton of upside if Fournette were to miss games. Yeldon will not even be drafted in most leagues, but if your league has deep benches draft him so you don’t have to grab him off waivers early in the year when your league mates figure it out.
Spencer Ware (RB, KC) ADP: 18.09
There is a lot of risk with Ware. Coming off a devastating knee injury, and now behind second year runner Kareem Hunt, Ware may never be the same. But this time last year he was the Chiefs number one runner and Hunt was a third round rookie trying to earn playing time. The year prior, 2016, Ware took over for Jamaal Charles and totaled 1,368 yards, five touchdowns and 33 receptions. So yes there is risk, but there is tons of upside as well. Reports out of Chiefs camp is that Ware is healthy and looks good, but we’ll know more as we get closer to the start of the season. Still, it’s hard to find a back with Ware’s upside this late in the draft, and he’s worth stashing as long as the reports continue to be positive.
Javorius Allen (RB, BAL) ADP: 19.06
Hey, look what I found in round 19. It’s 2017’s PPR RB23, Javorius Allen! I really have no idea why Allen is not being drafted at all this year. The Ravens backfield is Alex Collins, Kenneth Dixon and Allen. Dixon has done nothing thus far in his career and now he is dealing with a hamstring issue in camp. Meanwhile, Allen was a waiver-wire hero in 2017, totaling 841 yards, six touchdowns and 46 receptions. While Collins is slated to be the lead back, Allen should continue to see plenty of work in the passing game. And before you think Allen is just a pass catcher, he had 153 carries last year and is 6’0, 218 pounds. If Collins goes down Allen is more than capable of playing all three downs. Allen is a free flex player in PPR that you can draft with your last pick.
