2018 Rookie Rundown: RBs Report
With the dominance of Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara in 2017, everyone will be searching for breakout rookie RBs in 2018. Below is an analysis of the top 8 rookie fantasy RBs for this year, highlighting picks that could win fantasy championships like Hunt and Kamara.
Saquon “Saquads” Barkley, New York Giants
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - RB1. PPR - RB1
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 217 attempts, 1271 yards, 18 TD. Receiving - 54 receptions, 632 yards, 3 TD.
At this point, who hasn’t heard the hype around Barkley? Entering the draft he carried arguably the most hype for a running back ever, with unmatched ability to both outrun and run through defenders. Coming off a season where the Giants ranked 26th in the league in rushing, expect Barkley to be fed during all three downs. It's also noteworthy that new HC Pat Shurmur worked wonders with 2017 rookie Dalvin Cook before he went down with a torn ACL. Barkley must be widely viewed as an RB1 in all formats as he projects as a dominant fantasy player from the get-go.
Ronald "Mr. Opportunity" Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - RB2. PPR - Low end RB2.
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 261 attempts, 1550 yards, 19 TD. Receiving - 14 receptions, 187 yards, 1 TD.
Deemed “Mr. Opportunity” by our experts, Jones fell into the perfect fantasy situation in Tampa Bay, in line for a heavy workload. With the departure of Doug Martin to Oakland, the only other competition on the roster is 2017 UDFA Peyton Barber and seasoned journeyman Jacquizz Rodgers. Jones is expected to bring juice to a Tampa Bay backfield that has been needing a consistent run game ever since franchise QB Jameis Winston joined the team. Mr. Opportunity has big play ability displayed by his career 6.1 yards per carry, but hasn’t shown pro-ready hands out of the backfield. Expect Jones to dominate the early down work with the potential for more, making him an RB2 in all standard leagues, and a low end RB2 in PPR formats.
Sony "Digital" Michel, New England Patriots
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - Low end RB2. PPR - RB2.
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 157 attempts, 1227 yards, 16 TD. Receiving - 9 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD.
Predicting which RB will be the lead dog for the Patriots is a toss up every single year, but after the selection of Michel in the first round, it seems there may be some clarity in the New England backfield. Michel seems to have the most realistic chance at capturing the Dion Lewis role, which in 2017 proved to be enough to provide fantasy dividends. Due to the Patriots unpredictability and the presence of Rex Burkhead, it’s smart to err on the side of caution before jumping on the Michel hype train. Expect him at the very least to secure a rotational role with the potential for more in an explosive Patriots offense, making him a low end RB2 in standard and an RB2 in PPR formats.
Derrius “Guice Guice Baby” Guice, Washington Redskins
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - RB2 PPR - Low end RB2
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 237 attempts, 1251 yards, 11 TD. Receiving - 18 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD.
Prior to the draft, Guice was hyped as a potential early first round pick due to his breakaway speed and bowling ball-esque build. However, due to character concerns, he slipped into the hands of Washington in the second round, a team which hasn't had a consistent RB since the departure of Alfredo “Sauce” Morris in 2015. Running behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, Guice should dominate the early down work and take a breather on third downs to scat back Chris Thompson. Guice should be widely viewed as an RB2 with the potential to be more if he can prove to Washington he can be their guy on all three downs.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks
Fantasy Predictions: Standard: RB2 PPR: RB2
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 289 attempts, 2248 yards. 23 TD. Receiving - 19 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TD.
Seattle shocked the entire NFL world by taking the SDSU star at the end of the first round. Since the selection, Seattle's coaching staff has praised Penny's ability to be a complete three down back, something Seattle has been missing since the departure of Marshawn Lynch. With Seattle desperate to establish a running attack and with a significant investment in Penny, expect him to take on a full workload as the top dog in Seattle. He'll be a volume-based RB2 with an RB1 ceiling.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - Low end RB3. PPR - RB4.
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 223 attempts, 1345 yards, 15 TD. Receiving - 4 receptions, 30 yards.
After bouncing back from a gruesome knee injury his sophomore year of college, Chubb has shown the ability to excel as a between the tackles, downhill runner. His outlook for the 2018 fantasy season would be a lot more positive if it weren’t for Cleveland's free agent acquisition of Carlos Hyde. Hyde and Chubb bring similar skill sets to the table and it’s very difficult at this point in the off season to determine which back will take on the early down workload. Due to a cloudy backfield that will provide limited opportunities off the bat, it’s smart to view Chubb as a low end RB3 in standard leagues and an RB4 in PPR platforms.
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - Low end RB3. PPR - RB4.
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 285 attempts, 1391 yards, 18 TD. Receiving - 24 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TD.
Last year's SEC leading rusher falls into arguably the NFL’s most crowded backfield in Detroit. The Lions currently have four running backs all capable of taking snaps and though he’s extremely talented, Johnson could find himself the odd man out in year one. At this point in the offseason, it's unclear what the backfield will look like week one, but Johnson will compete for early down work with Blount and passing down work with Abdullah and Riddick. Detroit's backfield moving forward is definitely something to keep a close eye on, but for now keep calm and Kerryon (avoiding him in drafts).
"Rolls" Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos
Fantasy Predictions: Standard - Low end RB2. PPR - RB3.
2017 College Statistics: Rushing - 244 attempts, 1475 yards, 16 TD. Receiving - 14 receptions, 164 yards.
Coming out of Oregon as a four year starter there, there is no doubt Freeman is capable of fulfilling a full-time role. After parting with last season's starter CJ Anderson, Denver clearly has confidence in their third round selection. With his only competition being Devontae Booker, Freeman will be in line to be a three down back for the Broncos this upcoming season as Booker hasn't shown much in his limited opportunities.. Broncos GM John Elway has been quoted, “we needed a thumper” and that “he (Freeman) is a bell-cow back with good speed” , which indicated Freeman will lead the Broncos backfield. With minimal competition, he should be viewed as a low end RB2 with the potential to break out in 2018.