RADIO
A lot of elements go into making a running back desirable for fantasy football. Opportunity, a good offensive line and a good offense are all key elements. However, something equally important is how elusive those running backs are, this includes avoiding tackles and gaining yards after contact.
Often players who have these traits fall into the category of the best rushers in the league. Unfortunately, sometimes elusive running backs do not have a great opportunity, a good offensive line or a good offense, leading to them being pushed down draft boards. If those running backs can get the opportunity then their ability to be elusive can be enough to make them fantasy relevant despite their offense or offensive line.
All reference to elusiveness rankings is based on running backs with at least 30 rushing attempts.
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Elusive Leaders
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Carson's days as a sleeper are coming to a screaming halt. Not only did he look impressive in the first preseason game but now Reshaad Penny is heading for surgery. However, Carson is someone you should be looking to invest in. Last season, on 49 rushing attempts and seven receptions he had the 13th best elusiveness rating. When you play with an offensive line that is weaker than average the ability to avoid tackles is key. Carson avoided 13 tackles on those 56 touches last season, so it is clear he has the ability to get away from defenders.
LeGarrette Blount, Detroit Lions
Once again Blount finds himself in a crowded backfield in 2018. After getting away from the jumble in Philadelphia he now finds himself in a backfield with the likes of rookie Kerryon Johnson as well as Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah. Blount was solid, if unspectacular last year, with 766 rushing yards and 4.4 yards per attempt. Where Blount shone last season was his ability to avoid tackles, avoiding 33 in 181 touches, as well as averaging 3.56 yards after contact. That performance ranked Blount 12th in elusiveness and comes just a year after he scored an incredible 18 touchdowns as the running back for the New England Patriots.
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions
I just spoke about the crowded backfield in Detroit but it seems as though Riddick has a knack of remaining relevant. Riddick has proven himself extremely useful out of the backfield for Matt Stafford and that should mean he sees plenty of third down opportunities. In addition, Riddick was a hard man to bring down last year, avoiding 34 tackles in 137 touches, with an average yards after contact of 2.67. Much of Riddick's value will come in the passing game so he is a better option in PPR leagues, but he does have fantasy appeal as a depth option in standard leagues.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler currently sits second on the Chargers depth chart, behind Melvin Gordon. Gordon is a good running back but over the last couple of years, he has absorbed a lot of hits, rushing the ball over 500 times. Ekeler should see time on the field even when Gordon is healthy, Gordon played all 16 games last year and Ekeler still managed 74 touches despite not being the consensus number two all season. When Ekeler was on the field he was effective, with 17 tackles avoided and averaging 3.61 yards after contact. If Gordon does miss time then Ekeler could become a very nice option for fantasy owners in 2018.
Corey Grant, Jacksonville Jaguars
Right now, Grant remains behind both Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon on the Jaguars depth chart. Grant's ability to avoid tackles and gain yards after contact could see him get more time on the field in 2018 at some point, though. In 2017, Grant ranked second among eligible backs for elusiveness, recording seven avoided tackles in 33 touches, with an average of 4.93 yards after contact on those touches. This selection is a deep end bargain but there is a real possibility that Grant's skill could make him the desirable handcuff to Fournette.
Others to Consider
Damian Williams, Kansas City Chiefs: Ranked fourth among eligible running backs for elusiveness in 2017. However, he currently looks buried on the Chiefs' depth chart, which limits his value. If the Chiefs release Charcandrick West, as suspected, that could boost his value a bit as a deep-league handcuff.
Elijah McGuire, NY Jets: Ranked 30th for elusiveness last season. However, his injury coming into the year, coupled with him currently sitting fourth on the depth chart may be an issue to getting fantasy production out of him this season.
