It seems that the running back position for fantasy has been recently overshadowed by wide receivers. Owners are now looking to draft wideouts first, before running backs. In the past, running backs were flying off the draft board before everybody.

Now, it's guys like Antonio Brown and A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins that have our attention, as the lifespan of relevancy for running backs has seemingly, and unfortunately, grown shorter. However, this season, there is a ton of young blood ready to stir up the argument of who is more valuable to a fantasy lineup. Specifically, sophomore running backs. Here's a look at second year running backs that are primed for a breakout season in 2016.

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Second Year Running Back Studs

Todd Gurley, Rams RB

So, this one is easy. And relatively simple. We already know what Gurley is capable of after his 1,106 rushing yard and 10 touchdown rookie season in 2015. In only 13 games. Gurley was activated Week 3 after tearing his ACL at Georgia the year prior. He posted four straight 120+ rushing yard performances including 146 yards against the Arizona Cardinals, 159 yards against the Green Bay Packers, and a 71-yard run against the San Francisco 49ers. But after Week 7, Gurley's hot start cooled, rushing for over 100 yards in only one game over his next eight. Although, he did score seven touchdowns over that span.

Looking healthy as ever, with the ACL injury prospectively behind him, monstrous numbers could very well be brewing for the newly relocated Los Angeles Rams' number one weapon. There is much debate, between Gurley and the next running back on this list, over who will be drafted first in fantasy leagues. With Case Keenum's growing, yet unproven arm, taking reps as the starting quarterback, we can all expect a heavy workload for Gurley. Gurley caught only 21 passes in 2015 as backup running back, Benjamin Cunningham, saw 10 more targets in the air. But you're not drafting Gurley for his receiving abilities. You're drafting him because the dude can run, cut, make people miss, and find the end zone.

David Johnson Jr., Cardinals RB

You draft this guy if you want receptions out of the backfield. And just about everything else. This one is fairly easy and simple as well, as it's expected for he and Gurley to lead the pack of young running backs, and potentially running backs in general, this season. With a bolstered backfield in Arizona, it could be tough to trust a guy who will be sharing some carries with Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. But, according to ESPN.com, David Johnson is the guy for the Cardinals. He'll certainly see a bulk of the carries along with goal line and passing down work, making him an overall threat for fantasy. This is the guy you want in a PPR league.

Johnson's rookie season was an opposite tale of Gurley's. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Johnson accumulated only 139 rushing yards as he was wrestling CJ2k and Ellington for snaps. But the rookie came on hot at just the right time for fantasy, and surpassed that total with ease over the following three weeks, including a 187 yard performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the slow start, Johnson finished the season with 12 total touchdowns (eight rushing, four receiving), and is primed for more. He's as scary, and versatile, a threat as they come for fantasy. We can only expect both the yardage and touchdowns to increase in 2016.

Melvin Gordon, Chargers RB

Gordon's disappointing rookie season was cut short by injury. Although, his surgically repaired knee doesn't appear to be an issue with Week 1 rapidly approaching. Gordon will undoubtedly lose some carries to the crafty Danny Woodhead, but he will likely be the team's early down back, according to ESPN.com. His fantasy value continues to rise, despite failing to score a rushing touchdown in his first professional season.

In 2015, the San Diego Charges offensive line was simply depleted, with a ton of issues at the center position. According to NFL.com, they finished 31st in run blocking last season. Luckily, for Gordon and fantasy owners of Gordon and prospective fantasy owners of Gordon, the Chargers have made some changes and key additions. The team drafted fullback Derek Watt, who served as Gordon's lead blocker at Wisconsin, and added veteran center Matt Slauson. Protection, protection, protection. The Chargers also signed wide receiver Travis Benjamin in the offseason to complement the now-healthy Keenan Allen on offense. The team has improved, and so will Gordon in his sophomore campaign. He could potentially teeter around RB1 material.

Duke Johnson Jr., Browns RB 

Duke Johnson finished his debut season with more receiving yards than rushing yards, and was second in receptions among rookies in 2015. The closest Duke came to breaching the magical 100-yard rushing mark came when he tallied 78 against the Niners Week 14. He also scored only two touchdowns, both coming via the pass, but we can blame that on the Browns being the Browns. However, Duke did catch at least four passes in nine games; a stat certainly favoring PPR leagues. It will be interesting to see what Robert Griffin brings to the table in Cleveland, but I'm more interested in what new head coach, Hue Jackson, will offer to a team that finished 3oth overall in points per game and total points last season.

Duke will likely split some time with Isaiah Crowell in the backfield, which is something coach Jackson has handled in the past as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson worked wonders with a split-back set occupied by fantasy options Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Crowell is more of an established rusher than his counterpart, making Duke a better option in PPR leagues. Both are draft-worthy, especially with Jackson now at the helm. Get ready for more receptions, and touchdowns (fingers crossed) out of Cleveland's backfield.