Josh Livi | May 1st, 2020
Football can’t come any sooner. ANY TYPE OF SPORT for that matter. I hope everyone is safe and well during this crazy time. It has now been a month since we last had sports, boy do I miss it and I’m sure you do too! Have no fear, with fantasy football around the corner, I am here to tell you my five fave dynasty running backs who are going to thrive in the NFL and in fantasy football!
Todd Gurley – Atlanta Falcons
Gurley is coming off a mediocre season at best. He was hindered by a nagging knee injury almost all year and ended up in practically a full-blown running back by committee! His rushing attempts per game varied from as little as five to as much as 25! Gurley is the ideal player, where a change of scenery could do wonders. With Falcons Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman gone, Gurley has a high scoring backfield all to himself. In during mock drafts, Gurley’s ADP is around the fifth round but has been steadily rising ever since. With Matt Ryan leading the charge this year, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Gurley will all have fantastic years. I would happily take Gurley as my RB2 this year and worry about his long term value later.
Le’Veon Bell – New York Jets
Bell had a pretty lackluster season with Gang Green last year. A major part of that was the horrendous, hideous, coaching job by Adam Gase. Another factor to that was the lack of offensive line help he had to create holes. Bell rushed 245 times for 789 yards for a disgusting 3.2 yards per carry. On the year, however, Bell had a decently productive season in PPR leagues. He had 78 targets 66 catches for an additional 461 yards. Bell played in 15 games and finished as the 21st ranked running back in standard leagues, and 15th ranked in PPR leagues.
This year, however, is a whole different season. Gase will try and be a tad more competent as a coach, and most importantly, a revamped, determined and focused offensive line is ready to protect Sam Darnold and create holes. Considering last year’s numbers were pretty awful, Bell has no place to go but up. He is due for a bounce-back season in what should be reminiscent of his Pittsburgh Steeler days. He is the true meaning of a “buy low”! Get him cheap while you can.
Melvin Gordon – Denver Broncos
Gordon sat out for part of the season and watch fellow back, Austin Ekeler put up RB1 numbers in his absence. However, when Gordon came back, he rushed 162 times, for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. The 612 yards were extremely low for such a talented back. Now that he signed with the Broncos, everyone expects a timeshare between himself and sophomore sensation, Phillip Lindsay. You might be thinking, why is he a buy low if he’s going to be in a timeshare?
Well, Gordon is as good as any top-ranked running back in the league. The Broncos have an extremely talented team, especially with Drew Lock at the helm. They also brought in arguably one of the best wide receivers from this year’s NFL draft, Jerry Jeudy. With so many weapons around Lock, you know holes are going to open up big time for Gordon. Even if he is in a full blow running back by committee, I’m still expecting big numbers from Gordon in his first year with the Broncos.
Devine Ozigbo – Jacksonville Jaguars
This pick is strictly contingent on the possibility that Leonard Fournette will be traded. Rumors have been circulating all off-season that Fournette will be traded. If Fournette does get traded (or releases), I truly believe Ozigbo will thrive in an offense lead by Minshew Mania, Gardner Minshew.
The competition for touches behind Fournette is between Ryquell Armstead and Ozigbo. Neither of them really pop out as a high end running back, but Ozigbo, in my opinion, is the better of the two. Only a small sample size was shown for Ozigbo as he only had nine TOTAL touches in the 2019 season. “Good enough” for 27 all-purpose yards. Ozigbo was an extremely ferocious runner in college and has what it takes to be a workhorse in the NFL. Again, this pick is strictly contingent on a Fournette move. He is definitely at least a handcuff to the often-injured workhorse.
Darrell Henderson Jr. – Los Angeles Rams
FINALLY! The moment we have all been waiting for! Peace out Gurley, and hello Henderson. This kid has all the makings of a stud! However last year, behind an incompetent Gurley, Henderson only touched the rock 39 times all year. With Gurley out of the picture, Henderson should thrive in a high powered offense. Lead by Jared Goff, Henderson is going extremely late in some mock drafts I have already done.
The Rams did, however, bring in Cam Akers, so there will be a competition. Even though Akers is now part of that backfield, he will be a change of pace for the early part of the year, as Henderson already knows the playbook and a lot more comfortable with the offense. This is the perfect time to buy low on a possible gem that can carry you to the fantasy football championships. At worst, Henderson will form a 1A and 1B timeshare with Akers, at least until one of them runs away with it!
I hope you guys enjoyed this article for my favorite buy low running backs for the 2020 season! We hope football returns soon and we can have an extremely fun season!
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