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ARI David Johnson DAL MikeWeber ARI Chase Edmonds DAL ATL Brian Hill ATL DEN ATL DEN BAL Mark Ingram DEN BAL Kenneth Dixon DET KerryonJohnson BAL Gus Edwards DET C.J. Anderson BAL Justice Hill DET BUF LeSean McCoy DET Zach Zenner BUF GB Dexter Williams BUF T.J. Yeldon GB AaronJones BUF Devin Singletary GB Jamaal Williams CAR Elijah Holyfield HOU D'Onta Foreman CAR Christian McCaf frey HOU Karan Higdon CHI Tarik Cohen HOU CHI Mike Davis IND CHI David Montgomery IND CIN Trayveon Williams IND CIN Rodney Anderson IND CIN Giovani Bernard JAC CIN JAC CLE KC Darwin Thompson CLE KC

RB ARIZONA David CARDINALS JOHNSON W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

How many running backs finish top-10 at their position and are considered a disappointment by fantasy owners? David Johnson may be considered that after his 2018 season that didn’t quite live up to expectations. Johnson was a consensus top five pick last season, but inefficient play calling, a bad offensive line and a lack of points didn’t allow Johnson to return the value on that investment. Even with all those problems and inconsistent performances, Johnson wasn’t nearly as bad as some owners felt.

Johnson finished as the RB9 in PPR leagues last season but can get more out of this offense? Kingsbury is known for his offensive mind and now looks to bring that creativity to the NFL. Kingsbury employees the Air Raid offense so expect a lot of passing. Arizona will likely have four wide receivers on the field most of the time which could open things for Johnson in the passing game with quick swing routes and in the flat.

In redraft leagues, Johnson is a lock to finish inside the top-10 again for running backs, especially in PPR leagues. Johnsons value will be based on catching the ball in a hurry up offense that will keep things moving quickly. You can probably count on less rushing attempts as in years past as well. In dynasty leagues, Arizona’s entire offense is a buy right now. 2019 may offer some bumps in the road as Kyler Murray adapts to the NFL and grows while Kingsbury implements his offense. Hopefully the Cardinals will also invest picks in offensive lineman next season, then things could really get interesting.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB ARIZONA Chase CARDINALS EDM ONDS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Chase Edmonds is one of those running backs that gets the convenient tag of being someone’s backup. He is the guy that no one really wants, however, he’s the backup to an important fantasy asset in a good offense (or so we hope) and we need to make sure we have him because of that. The 4th round pick out of Fordham had limited work in 2018, but it was the confusing play calling and odd personal deployment that made fantasy owners look at Edmonds as a viable fantasy stash.

In crucial situations last year,the Cardinals coaching staff would have Edmonds on the field instead of Johnson. Edmonds only averaged 3.5 yards per attempt and 5.2 yards per reception though. Nothing about Edmonds screamed playmaker. In 2019, don’t expect the same thing because Kliff Kingsburry will have Johnson on the field as much as possible. In dynasty leagues, stash Edmonds if you are a Johnson owner. In redraft leagues, leave him on waivers during your draft and just be ready to move if Johnson goes down.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB ATLANTA Brian FALCONS HILL W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

For most fantasy owners, Brian Hill was nowhere on their radars until W eek 16 when he ran for 115 yards on only eight carries. He was a popular grab in the dynasty community at that time because of the injury to Devonta Freeman, but should he be on our radar prior to the 2019 season?

Outside of that big game, Hill did absolutely nothing, totaling only 21 touches all season. Freeman appears healthy and ready to roll while Ito Smith will serve as his backup. It would take more injuries for Hill to have anyreal fantasy value. Hill will be one step closer now that he doesn’t need to deal with , but if you are relying on Hill to win in 2019, you have far bigger issues. Hill can remain off all fantasy radars for the time being.

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RB ATLANTA Ito FALCONS SM ITH W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Devonta Freeman appears set to bounce back for the , but as we like to say at The Fantasy Headliners, he may have an “Ito”-bit of a problem. Ito Smith will back up Freeman in 2018 and while he won’t be nearly as good as Tevin Coleman was while working alongside Freeman, Smith could become a very important piece of the Falcons equation if Freeman isn’t healthy all year or if the Falcons decide to limit some of Freeman’s workload.

Smith isn’t going to be the type of handcuff that will come in and replicate starter level numbers and he won’t win your league like Damien W illiams in 2018. If Smith sees an increased workload, it would need to come with a lot of volume because his efficiency may not be nearly enough. In deep redraft leagues, Freeman owners should hold onto Smith as well. Any leagues 12 and under can let him sit on waivers for the time being. For dynasty owners, he should be stashed no matter what, especially if the Falcons decide to walk away from Freeman at the end of the season.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BALTIM ORE M ark INGRRAMAVENS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

After the Baltimore Ravens moved to a heavy rushing attack with Lamar Jackson at quarterback last season, we knew that if a ended up in Baltimore, he was going to be a hot commodity. That’s exactly what happened with Mark Ingram who signed with Baltimore in free agency after forming one of the toughest backfields the last two seasons with in New Orleans. Can the Ravens replicate that type of backfield success?

The Ravens averaged 33.5 rushes per game in 2018 to lead the NFL and in his seven starts, Jackson averaged 17 rushes per game. If Jackson still averages between 10 and 15 rushes per game in 2019, that may only leave another 15 rushes per game to split up between Ingram, Kenneth Dixon (if he is still around), Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. Ingram finished as the RB6 in 2017 while splitting touches with Kamara, but Ingram needed just over 14 carries per game to make that happen with an additional 58 receptions in the passing game. Finding that kind of workload with so many other running backs on the roster seems unlikely.

Ingram played with and a respectable passing game in 2017 to help propel his RB1 season. Jackson and the Ravens offense has a way to go before commanding the kind of respect that would prevent less stacked boxes. Ingram is going to have a decent 2019, but the upside will not be there. He is going to be a safe low-end RB2 most weeks unless the Ravens deal with several injuries in the backfield. Long term though, this is going to be Hill’s backfield, so buy Ingram in dynasty leagues if you have a contender this year, but don’t hold on for long.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BALTIM ORE Kenneth DIXORNAVENS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

There are several kinds of truthers out there and Kenneth Dixon truthers are some of the most loyal ones you will find. Since being drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2016 draft, owners have been waiting for his playmaking abilities to be showcased and featured in the Ravens offense. For fantasy owners thinking they want to take another chance on Dixon in 2019, what will you get?

There is no denying, Dixon has talent and has the ability to be a very good NFL player. Since entering the league, Dixon has averaged 5.04 yards per touch. The problem has always been staying on the field. From suspensions to injuries, Dixon has only been able to play in 18 games his three years in the league. The end is close for Dixon in Baltimore though. If the signing of Mark Ingram didn’t help spell that out, selecting Justice Hill in the draft should highlight it. Dixon could see some work while Hill gets up to speed and could be the main pass catching back in 2019 to start the season. There are 71 targets to running backs vacated from 2018 after Buck Allen, Alex Collins and Ty Montgomery were not brought back into the mix. Dixon has a long way to go, but he may have one more opportunity in Baltimore.

In redraft, Dixon is going to be a last pick kind of guy. Potential upside, but don’t risk taking someone else over him. In dynasty, he is a one year buy if he stays in Baltimore. You could potentially get him super cheap right now and stash him. He will be one to watch closely this year.

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RB BALTIM ORE Justice HillRAVENS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

As the Baltimore Ravens look to improve and provide as many weapons fortheir second year quarterback Lamar Jackson, one rookie we are absolutely enamoured with is Justice Hill.

Hill is a gifted talent that should be able to carve out a role in this crowded backfield in his first season. W hile most would as certain support toward Gus Edwards as the primary backup to Mark Ingram, we have a completely different view. Hill has the speed and quickness to be that change of pace back with strong upside in the pass game. W e don’t want to go as far to suggest a recreation of what the Saints had with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, but this could become a poor man’s solution.

Hill should be viewed as a bench stash or waiver wire addition early with solid upside as the season goes forward.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BUFFALO LeSean M cCOBYILLS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W itnessing a drastic fall from grace, the 30-year old electrifying runner LeSean “Shady” McCoy has seen better days from the fantasy community. Looking to be a complete afterthought for the upcoming season, it appears many don’t value the running back much like they had in the past.

W hile we fully understand the any runner at the age of 30 on an offense that has many issues to work out shouldn’t be viewed with high praise, we must toss positivity on what McCoy could do this upcoming season. Even as the Bills added more competition to the running back room in Frank Gore, TJ Yeldon and rookie Devin Singletary, this backfield will again belong to McCoy to start the year.

It must be understood that with any NFL offense going through transition like the Bills had last season, growing pains will be felt. In year two of the Josh Allen tenure in Buffalo and the added weapons on the receiving core, McCoy should get back on track to again flirt with a top 10 finish, with a floor of being top 15 for running backs. Fewer stacked boxes should be seen with a heightend level of run blocking from an improved offensive line.

For value purposes, McCoy is shaping up to be selected around the ninth or 10th rounds of fantasy drafts,which will equate to a fabulous return on investment. Caution should be identified for his long term future, but for this season, we like the odds for McCoy to rebound.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BUFFALO Frank GOREBILLS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

It doesn’t matter where Frank Gore goes, the guy always plays and at 36 years old, Gore didn’t sign a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills to sit and watch the action from the sideline. Even though Gore won’t play in the capacity that allows fantasy owners to play him each week, he is going to get enough carries to steal fantasy value from the running backs around him.

Gore has only averaged less than four yards per carry three times in his career and that was the three years he spent in Indianapolis. Last season Gore only managed 156 carries (lowest since his rookie season) but averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Buffalo is crowded at RB and there doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut winner for touches in 2019, so on draft day, don’t waste a pick on Gore. Even if he will be efficient with the little work he has, it won’t be enough to maintain fantasy value.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BUFFALO T.J. YELDBONILLS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen the Buffalo Bills went shopping this offseason, adding viable playmakers to this offense was a clear objective. TJ Yeldon possesses a good level of skill in both the run but especially the pass game which should be a seamless transition in this offense. Having filled in admirably with the Jaguars last season when Leonard Fournette was lost to injury, the tape is clear to what he truly is.

Our outlook for Yeldon in the 2019 season does have some level of concern as LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore should have the first crack of the workload. W ith rookie Devin Singletary also looking to make a name for himself, carries and touches will be sparse for Yeldon.

At this point, Yeldon will be nothing more than an injury handcuff for the upcoming campaign. W ith that said, 2020 could be a year we speak far greater of Yeldon as McCoy and Gore could be off the team and the Bills could roll with Singletary and Yeldon as their primary duo. Something to keep an eye on.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB BUFFALO Devin SINGBLEITALRLYS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Coming out of college Devin Singletary was regarded as one of the better running backs to come out of the 2019 NFL draft. Landing with the Buffalo Bills, there is plenty to get excited about especially for the long term. Having players like LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore to provide tutelage in all forms will be paramount to the growth of this young man.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season and the potential value Singletary could have, we are cautiously optimistic but are forced to be more realistic. W ith a running back room loaded with talent, the only way value moves up the board in year one for Singletary is if injuries transpire. Beating out McCoy and Gore will be a monumental task that shouldn’t happen in his rookie season.

Much like our evaluation for TJ Yeldon, 2020 could be the season we witness a change of the guard in Buffalo where Singletary and Yeldon could be the formidable tandem providing fantasy returns.

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RB CAROLINA Christian PANTHERS M cCAFFREY W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

W hen you talk about the 1.01 for the 2019 season, there are not many players who should garner consideration. One guy that seems to be overlooked for the most part though is Christian McCaffrey. The told us prior to 2018 that the plan was to give McCaffrey a much higher workload and some of us, including myself, said there was no way because CJ Anderson wasn’t going away quietly. Anderson ended up being cut and went on to terrorize owners of a different top running back.

Only four players eclipsed 300 points in half-PPR formats last season and only two scored higher than McCaffrey. The Panthers gave McCaffrey 326 total touches in 2018 and all McCaffrey did was average 6.02 yards per touch. A few more receptions and McCaffery would have put together a 1,000-1,000-yard season and would have probably been the top overall skill-position player on the season. As long as Cam Newton is on the same field as McCaffrey though, he will lose out on some rushing and some rushing attempts. If the Panthers try to pivot away from allowing Newton to run so much though and more some of those goal-line attempts to McCaffrey, then he will challenge for the RB1 spot every single year.

McCaffrey is worthy of a top-five pick in redraft and dynasty formats every year, especially PPR leagues. Even in standard though, McCaffrey will be a top performer if he continues to carry the ball more than 200 times a season.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB CHICAGO Tarik COHEBNEARS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Tarik Cohen took a huge step forward in 2018, but most people expected that considering the Chicago Bears brought in former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to run the team. After a big 2018, in which Cohen finished as the RB13 in half PPR leagues, accumulating 1169 yards and averaging 6.9 yards per touch, what could 2019 offer? Many fantasy owners didn’t consider a real threat to take production away from Cohen, but you shouldn’t picture David Montgomery the same way.

Cohen saw 91 targets last season, third most on the team, but had virtually no competition for pass catching work from other running backs on the roster. It’s also wise to remember that Anthony Miller only saw 54 targets his rookie year and it’s likely that number will increase for 2019. W ith Montgomery and Mike Davis likely to see action in the run game, it’s hard to imagine Cohen improving on his rushing numbers from 2018. Cohen would then need to see an increase in efficiency to see a rise into RB1 status in half PPR leagues.

The Bears offense could be better in 2019 than it was in 2018, but Cohen likely won’t be better. That’s not a bad thing though. Cohen will still be a safe flex play in half or full PPR leagues in 2019 with some high RB2 upside, but long-term dynasty owners may want to sell now, because Montgomery is the complete back that the Bears can deploy more often. Cohen may not have more value than right now.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB CHICAGO M ike DAVISBEARS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

The early buzz for the Bears backfield went to newly signed Seattle cast off Mike Davis. Realistically we have to be extremely blunt to ask why Davis is generating so much hype. Playing the last two seasons with the Seahawks while never running away with the job, many around the fantasy community believed he would just be given the spot in Chicago.

W ith rookie David Montgomery having found a home with the Bears after this past NFL draft, it’s clear a minimal competition for touches should transpire, but eventually Montgomery should steal the workload. W ith that said, it’s not to suggest that Davis isn’t a good runner with decent upside, but he has proven what he’s not and will be nothing more than an injury handcuff moving forward.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB CHICAGO David M ONBTGEOAM RERSY W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen the Chicago Bears choose to trade Jordan Howard to the Eagles before the NFL draft, it was clear that adding another running back would be a prime objective. Enter rookie David Montgomery to the mix and believe me when I tell you, he will make his name known early this season.

Showing good skill in college and being trusted as the primary back in Iowa, Montgomery has the ability to take the starting role and never look back. Some analysts have argued that Tarik Cohen will receive the lions share of carries in this offense in 2019, but we aren’t convinced of that as of yet. Coach Matt Nagy is a creature of consistency and will attempt to make Montgomery his lead back with Cohen playing the change of pace speed back in this offense.

As of today, Cohen sits a few places higher on the charts for average draft position over his teammate Montgomery, but we are quite confident this will change after the preseason. Volume will be here marking a clear path for RB2 potential this season.

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RB CINCINNATI Rodney BENGALS ANDERSON W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

As the Bengals look to retool and rebuild this roster under the tutelage of new head coach Zac Taylor, we are extremely intrigued for the prospects of rookie Rodney Anderson finding a role on this club. Anderson would’ve seen his draft stock move higher had he not suffered an ACL injury which ruined his final season with the Sooners.

Injuries haven’t been something new for the punishing back who possesses a solid pounding style. W ith Joe Mixon having the clamps on the starting role in Cincinnati, it’s clear that Taylor was looking for a completely different type of runner to compliment the run attack.

At this point of his recovery, it’s very difficult to predict how his 2019 season will shape up. If by chance Anderson gets back to form earlier than expected, we could see him vulture touchdowns from goal line situations. Anderson is nothing more than a waiver wire player until things become clearer.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB CINCINNATI Giovani BENGALS BERNARD W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen Joe Mixon became a trusted player in the Bengals organization, the fantasy outlook for Giovani Bernard took a giant hit. Seeing some of his worst statistics in his six year career, it’s difficult to not throw shade on the talented pass catching running back.

The question we have for the upcoming season is-how new head Coach Zac Taylor will establish his systems and schemes which will have a profound effect on what Bernard will be in 2019. W hile his teammate (Mixon) does have the ability to also be a trusted pass catcher from the backfield, we truly wonder if multi-back sets will be employed.

Until we see proof of how the Bengals intend to be set up offensively, Bernard will be nothing more than an injury handcuff for Mixon. If it’s proven that Bernard will have a clear role in the pass game, (maybe more from the slot), he must be left on the waiver wire until further notice.

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RB CLEVELAND Nick BROWNS CHUBB W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

I think we knew that Nick Chubb was better than . Hugh Jackson didn’t believe that however and well, Jackson didn’t do a lot of things right in Cleveland anyway. Outside of 105 yards on three carries against the Raiders in W eek 4, Chubb didn’t do much else to start the season. He only had 16 carries until W eek 7 against Tampa Bay, but it physically took John Dorsey trading Hyde away to get Chubb on the field full time. W hat was Jackson thinking?

Even though Chubb wasn’t given an opportunity to start the season, he made the most of his opportunity to finish the season. Chubb only started nine games in 2018, but still ran for 996 yards and averaged 5.19 yards per carry. Chubb also had 80 rushing yards or more in six of his last 10 games of the season. Let’s address the elephant in the room now. The Browns decided to add Kareem Hunt to the roster for 2019 on a one-year deal. Hunt is suspended for eight games this season and will be able to return in W eek 10 against the Buffalo Bills. Even as good as Hunt was on the field for Kansas City, Chubb is just as good.

Don’t expect Hunt to miss the first nine weeks of the season, then walk onto the field and completely unseat Chubb as the starter. Hunt will get his fair share of work in the passing game (Chubb only saw 29 targets all of last season) but Chubb will be the Browns running back to own in 2019. Chubb will be a solid second round pick in 2019 drafts and while people are worried about Hunt, it may be the time to buy in dynasty before he finds the field again.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB CLEVELAND Kareem BROWNS HUNT W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Its incredibly unfortunate when we see players of Kareem Hunt’s skillset do things off the field that paint him in a negative light. His indiscretions caught on tape nearly placed him in a situation where he could never play another snap in the NFL. W ith that said, some teams have been known to give troubled players a second change in hopes they can redeem themselves. The signed Hunt after he was released from the Chiefs and has been handed down an eight-game suspension.

W ith how the Browns offense is set up, Hunt could come in and provide that added punch to and offense poised to be one of the better up and comers this season. W ith leading the way with and Odell Beckham Jr catches passes, Hunt could literally help create a tandem with Nick Chubb that will be very difficult to stop.

W hat is more shocking is where Hunt sits in terms of his average draft position. Holding steady in the mid-sixth round for a player that will play only six games, is rather shocking. For our appetite we would prefer Hunt to be placed around the 10th round and to not over draft him. By that time its unclear to how much work Hunt will see, but he could become extremely valuable for a fantasy playoff run.

If selected, you will be taking a great chance on Hunt being productive in the later stages of the season. For our money we might play it on the safer side and hope he falls in the draft.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS Rejoice Duke Johnson fans, he is free! After a breakout season in 2017, it appears the Browns had finally unlocked Johnson's full potential and were ready to feature him more in the offense outside of his pass catching responsibilities. However, the Browns went ahead and drafted Nick Chubb and then signed Kareem Hunt this past off-season. With that, Johnson was shipped off to the Texans and now we can start to get excited again.

In 2017, Johnson was a RB2 in PPR leagues and his numbers didn’t pop off the screen. 82 carries for 348 yards to go with 74 receptions on 93 targets for 693 yards and seven total touchdowns. That was all Johnson needed in order to reach RB2 status and if you don’t think he can at least meet those number in Houston, then I encourage you to take another look.

The Texans will once again sport one of the best offenses in football that could not only score big through the air but control the game through the run as well. Lamar Miller is lost for the season with an ACL tear and Johnson, for the time being, appears to be the lead back in Houston. During the 2017 season, Johnson averaged 1.14 fantasy points per touch. In 2018, a prominent top five running back averaged the same exact amount. I am not saying Johnson is Alvin Kamara but considering Johnson has shown some of the same ability in the past should excite you for what is in store. RB DALLAS M ike COWBOYS W EBER W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Coming out of college, Mike W eber didn’t receive a ton of respect from the scouting department but did develop a cult following. Being big supporters of his work ourselves,we truly feel the Cowboys may have found a true gem in the seventh round of this past NFL Draft.

W hen it comes to being fantasy relevant for the 2019 season, I think most will agree that W eber will find himself watching from the sidelines more often than not. Unless Zeke Elliott suffers a long term injury, W eber will have to pay his dues this year.

At this point W eber is nothing more than a potential injury handcuff with limited upside. For the long term prospects and the uncertainty of a new Elliott contract, 2021 might be the first time we discuss W eber with more seriousness in fantasy football.

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RB DENVER Phillip BRONCOS LINDSAY W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen the Broncos signed undrafted rookie free agent Phillip Lindsay to the team, no one could’ve predicted the absolute monster season he would turn out. Being undersized and not showing the intangibles required to be a gifted running back in this league, Lindsay shrugged off his naysayers to produce one of the best rookie campaigns for an undrafted player in NFL history.

Lindsay finished off the 2018 season as the 13th best runner in point per reception formats with 222.8 fantasy points. Given the fact that his services could’ve been secured off the waiver wire, he would’ve helped owners find a way to the championship game with his production.

Moving forward to the new year, the Broncos will again look to lean on Lindsay but perhaps creating more of a tandem approach with Royce Freeman. W ith now the starting quarterback for Denver, the pass game should see a slight uptick in efficiency leaving Lindsay to benefit that much more. W e do however continue to struggle to appropriately assign value to the young spark plug, but seeing his value sit in the mid-third round, we could feel comfortable to pull the trigger.

W e can easily see 200 to 250 fantasy points generated from Lindsay this season as the Broncos attempt to find a new identity.

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RB DENVER Devontae BRONCOS BOOKER W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Entering his fourth season with the , Devontae Booker is becoming the forgotten man in the run game in this offense. Having Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman leading the way, one should question the value for Booker this upcoming season.

If Booker does hold any standalone value it would be seen in the pass game where he saw 51 targets go for 38 receptions a season ago. W ith that said, expectations for Booker are extremely low outside of an injury to the backfield. Other than extremely deep leagues it would be wise to let Booker hang on the waiver wire until further notice.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB DETROIT Kerryon JOHNLSOINONS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Isn’t it frustrating when you know a player has a ton of talent, but it feels like an organization is doing everything they can to keep from giving him the most work possible. Insert here. Johnson didn’t get nearly as much work last season as we would have hoped (curse you LeGarrette Blount!) but he did well when healthy and on the field, averaging 5.4 YPA on 118 attempts last season. Johnson was no slouch in the passing game either, hauling in an additional 32 receptions. Can we expect the full breakout in 2019 or will he once again be limited by a veteran running back?

The Lions decided to bring in CJ Anderson, who handcuffed one of the best running backs in the league at the end of last season in . The real threat to Johnson though is Theo Riddick. There has been talk he is on the roster bubble and if the Lions move on from him, Johnson will become the main pass catching back. If that happens then Johnson will lock himself into a RB2 status for me in PPR leagues. He will still get a nice amount of work on the ground, even with Anderson vulturing some value, and is a safe bet if you spent a first-round pick on a top-tier running back followed by a top in round two. In dynasty leagues, I suggest you buy right now, because you won’t be able to in season.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB DETROIT C.J. ANDELRISOONNS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen CJ Anderson signed on with the Carolina Panthers last offseason, we had extremely high hopes that he would’ve been able to steal some work from Christian McCaffrey, especially in goal line duties. Nevertheless, it didn’t transpire.

Anderson was given another opportunity with the Rams to which he proved he could still be an effective runner in the right system. Now once again on the move latching on with the , Anderson’s 2019 outlook is truly up in the air. W ith a running back room completely jammed with specific skillsets, Anderson could carve out that power back role quite easily. W ith Kerryon Johnson obviously locked in as the primary runner for the Lions, we envision Anderson to play the complementary piece to perfection.

Sitting with a ranking in the 15th round of fantasy drafts, Anderson will again start the year as a dart throw with upside to become a matchup player. Being an injury handcuff to Johnson is also not out of the question and could become very valuable down the stretch. Anderson has waiver wire written all over him to start 2019.

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RB DETROIT Zach ZENNLERIONS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

As far back as we can remember, the Detroit Lions have held so many running backs it becomes frustrating to understand the logic. W hen speaking of the unique skillset of Zach Zenner, we find it difficult to believe he will possess much value heading into the 2019 season.

W hile he’s had varying roles in specific spots throughout his short career, it appears the Lions may have finally found a trio that could make Zenner obsolete. Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, and newly signed CJ Anderson should all compete for work over Zenner.

At this point its impossible to endorse Zenner to hold any fantasy value heading into 2019.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB GREEN BAY Dexter PACKERS W ILLIAM S W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Rookie Dexter W illiams out of Notre Dame has found a home with the after this past NFL draft. W hile some may not know W illiams with the small amount of tape attached to his profile, there are a few things to like about his game. Having a solid frame and proven to be a force when running the ball, he should be viewed more as a power runner.

W ith how the Packers backfield is currently setup, its not out of the question to witness W illiams receive carries at some point this season. Its clear that Aaron Jones is the primary back heading into 2019, with Jamaal W illiams returning as his change of pace backup. W ith the injury history the way its been in the past with both these two, Dexter W illiams could see time.

W illiams is another waiver wire wait and see player that shouldn’t be drafted at this point.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB GREEN BAY Aaron PACKERS JONES W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Through his first two seasons, Aaron Jones is averaging 5.5 yards per carry over 214 carries. That has some crazy upside written all over it. There are two huge issues though. The first is his time on the field. Jones has only played in 12 games each of his first two seasons. Hard to be reliable when you aren’t on the field, not matter how much upside you have. The second problem though is the main reason I am tempering expectations for Jones in 2019.

The Packers decided they needed a change at head coach and decided to go out and hire former Titans Offensive Coordinator Matt LeFleur, who greatly mishandled the running back situation in Tennessee last season, waiting until the second half of the season to really insert as the workload back. To be fair though, LeFleur’s offense ranked ninth in rushing attempts the past two seasons (one of which was in LA with the Rams) and seventh in rushing yards. So, it appears he can implement the game plan needed to make a running back successful but he’s never had Aaron Rodgers as a QB either. Jones has tremendous upside and is a must grab in dynasty leagues. For redraft in 2019, I wouldn’t want him as my RB1, but if I can get him in the third or maybe fourth depending on the format as my RB2, give that to me all day.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB GREEN BAY Jamaal PACKERS W ILIAM S W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Entering his third season in the NFL, Jamaal W illiams has been able to achieve some levels of success playing in relief of other Packer runners. The hope when W illiams was drafted envisioned him to potentially take the starting role and never look back. Unfortunately for W illiams, injuries have also derailed the overall output.

Taking a back seat to Aaron Jones a season ago, we feel it could be difficult for W illiams to have much value in fantasy leagues outside of matchup play. W illiams is seen as more of a pounding runner holding a meek yards per carry never reaching above 3.8 for any campaign.

Its our contention that W illiams should be drafted and held only as a handcuff to the off-injured Aaron Jones. Even suggesting that is something of a stretch in our eyes, as he should be left on the waiver until something tangible transpires.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB HOUSTON D’Onta FORETMEAXNANS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

If you have the same feelings as us when speaking of the Texans D’Onta Foreman, patience is running thin to see if he can in fact become a true number one running back. The hype has been placed on Foreman since he came into the league back in 2017, and nothing yet has been realized.

It’s quite clear that the Texans still have great plans for the big back to create a tandem with Lamar Miller which could be difficult to stop. Having a thunder and lightning type of combo would form a dynamic in this offense we haven’t seen. Foreman has all the intangiblesto become a sound player in this league, but staying on the field will be the ultimate hurdle.

At this point Foreman can’t be trusted enough to hold down a fantasy roster spot unless your league is very deep. This perception will obviously change with asound training camp and preseason, but we’ll hedge our bets and go with more of a sure thing. Potential does exist here, but the danger is still strong.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB HOUSTON Karan HINGTDEONXANS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Karan Higdon was a UDFA by the and landed in a decent spot to have a shot at contributing in the near future. Higdon ran for 2,172 yards and scored 21 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Michigan in a run first offense. Lamar Miller is in the final season of his contract and D’Onta Foreman was able to return for a short stint last year after tearing his Achilles the year prior, but nothing is guaranteed with his health going forward.

Higdon won’t be a guy to target in 2019 redraft leagues. If the Texans experience an injury or if Foreman isn’t effective, then he may be a waiver wire add later in the season. For dynasty owners, Higdon is a guy you are stashing on your taxi/reserve roster and seeing what plays out over the next couple of years.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS Instant reactions were abound after announced his retirement and one of the most popular was downgrading Marlon Mack because opposing teams would stack the box. While those thoughts aren’t necessarily wrong, they may be a bit exaggerated and it appears, I am in the minority on this one.

You have to remember that the have one of, if not the best, offensive line in all of football. won’t be Luck,and we shouldn’t expect him to be,but he will be serviceable and can do just enough to keep defenses from keying on the run. The last time Brissett was a starter, he only had a few days with the team to prepare for the season, had a bad offensive line and didn’t have nearly as many weapons as he does now.

I know we are still in shock from Luck announcing his retirement, but let’s not automatically assume worst case scenario for the Colts. They still have a really good defense and a really good offensive line. Controlling games on the ground and with their defense could be the route to victory this year for the Colts. Mack gets a slight bump up for me and is now a mid to high RB2. RB INDIANAPOLIS Nyheim HINECSOLTS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Entering last season, the Colts Nyheim Hines stock rose at unprecedented levels simply due to the team he landed on. The Colts at that point didn’t possess a running back that could handle pass catching responsibilities while bailing out his quarterback. Coach Frank Reich fully understood the skillset of Hines and used him to perfection as the year prolonged.

Hines become Andrew Luck’s trusted target out of the backfield receiving a healthy 81 targets hauling in 63 of them from over 400 yards. W hile those numbers don’t jump off the board to warrant a high fantasy draft grade, he will continue to have value in an offense that will truly be a force.

A great positive for Hines entering this season rests in the fact the Colts brain trust didn’t add more running backs to the picture,believing Marlon Mack could handle the load with Hines remaining as the change of pace back. One concern that we can’t shake is the addition of Ohio State speedster to the mix. Even though they both play different positions, the skillset is remarkably the same with Campbell having a leg up for slot duties. Perhaps the both can co-exist on this offense but we feel Hines could take a step back in production.

The best possible scenario for drafting Hines would be solely as a handcuff to Mack as snaps will be a problem this season. Matchup potential does rest with Hines, but he will be hit and miss for most of the year barring injuries to the backfield.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB INDIANAPOLIS Spencer W ARECOLTS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Coming from the Chiefs where he held so much promise to become something special, Spencer W are has been relegated to prove himself worthy of a roster spot. Now latching on with the high-powered Colts, we truly question if he’ll make it past training camp.

W are has had the misfortune of dealing with injures throughout his entire NFL career including that catastrophic ACL injury a few seasons ago. If W are does happen to make the team, his value will be extremely low unless an injury vaults him into the lineup.

W are has become an afterthought in fantasy football at this point.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB INDIANAPOLIS Jordan W ILKCINOSLTS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

It was suggested last season by many in the fantasy community that Jordan W ilkins should’ve been given every opportunity to take the starting role for the Colts. W hile credence to this argument can be made, W ilkins had many chances to showcase his ability but never separated from the pack.

The Colts will again enter this season much like they did last, with a W ilkins being their third back on the depth charts. As Marlon Mack continues to impress and prove he’s worthy of the lead role, pass catching specialist Nyheim Hines shouldn’t be displaced by W ilkins either.

Given the fact that other dangerous weapons have been added to help aid the execution of this offense, W ilkins shouldn’t be viewed as anything other than a handcuff.

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RB JACKSONVILLE Leonard FOURJNAEGTUTEARS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

If you are like us, the question has been swirling in your head since the end of last season as to what to do with the Jaguars Leonard Fournette? There is no questioning the man’s skill and ability, because when he’s on the field, Fournette is an absolute beast. The issue at hand is his inability to remain on the field with injuries clouding his overall outlook.

Its no secret that many have already lost faith in the runner seeing his value drop in the ranks to sit in the middle of the second round to as low as the third. If Fournette can manage to play a full slate of games this season, we could be talking about how much of a draft steal Fournette will become.

W ith how this Jags offense is set up for the upcoming year, Nick Foles may have a lot to do with how successful Fournette will be in 2019. Even as we try to sing the praise for a back who has all the talent at his disposal, our fear continues to poke us on the shoulder to pass him up and look for more consistent options. Given the potential to witness Fournette drop in upcoming drafts, perhaps the third round is appropriate to pull the trigger. Either way, we will have to recommend having a backup plan in case things go sideways again this season.

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RB KANSAS CITY Damien CHIEFS W ILLIAM S W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

It has almost become laughable to witness the hype-train running so strong for the Chiefs Damien W illiams thus far; it almost has us convinced as well. First and foremost, W illiams is not the best kept secret in the NFL but rather has become a product of a system. Coach Andy Reid with super star in the making () have lifted the overall game and performance of W illiams on this offense. Having to think fast when the Kareem Hunt situation derailed their plans at running back, yes W illiams did exceed all expectations.

Hearing early rumors from Chiefs minicamp, the suggestion has been made to get behind W illiams as the team’s starting runner. These types of situations always push the fantasy community to overvalue certain players even without a sound track record. The notion that any back would be able to produce in this offense is a point we fully understand and take note of. However, we fear that given where his services will have to be taken, we’d prefer the sure thing.

W illiams is entering his sixth NFL season and perhaps hasfinally found that killer instinct to push him over the top. For our taste,seeing W illiams rank as the 13thvalued running back in the ranks at this point is far too rich for our blood. W e can’t criticize those that have belief in the man, but we shall look elsewhere in terms of finding greater value.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB KANSAS CITY Carlos CHIEFS HYDE W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Many tend to forget how productive Carlos Hyde was becoming in the Browns offense until they decided to pass the reins to rookie Nick Chubb. Having faith that Chubb could carry the load; the Browns dealt Hyde to the Jaguars where his fantasy value fell by the wayside.

Moving on from that negative situation, Hyde found himself signing on with the rather early in the offseason. Speculation already is a foot when reviewing the Chiefs backfield, as teammate Damien W illiams has been given an endorsement from the coaching staff to suggest he is the primary runner in this offense. W hile it’s hard to argue at this point, we feel value could be very strong for Hyde this season.

Hyde does sit with an average draft position hovering around the 10th round which could equate to fantastic value. W ith Patrick Mahomes and his electrifying offensive pedigree on display, Hyde could become the recipient of many goal line opportunities and speciality situations.

W e most definitely would take a shot on Hyde in upcoming drafts as a bench stash, with potential being strong in one of the best offenses in the NFL.

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RB LOS ANGELES Todd GURLREYAM S W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

The best player in fantasy football the last two seasons has seen a huge drop in value since the end of the 2018 regular season. Even though Gurley missed the final two regular season games in 2018, he still finished as the top overall skill position player and the third overall player with 342 points. Gurley missing the last two games of the season wasn’t a huge surprise to fantasy owners. Sure, you probably needed him in the playoffs, but the Rams needed him more. A little rest for the banged-up superstar seemed in order, until it carried into the playoffs.

Fast forward several months and we are now faced with the news that Gurley has knee issues that will likely affect him the rest of his career and to top it off, the Rams moved up in the third round to draft Darrell Henderson, who has the skill set to take work away from Gurley. W ith all that being said, I am not doubting Gurley in 2019. W ill he lose some work? Yes. W ill he lose enough work to drop him outside RB1 territory? No. This may not bea bad thing either because if the Rams decide to take a few less touches away early in the season, you will have a better shot at having a healthy Gurley come fantasy playoffs. I would not let Gurley slip to the second round in redraft leagues and if you own him in dynasty, he needs to stay put. His value is down right now so selling would be a loss. W ait till he’s back on the field, performing like Gurley and then sell.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB LOS ANGELES M alcolm BROWRNAM S W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

It’s extremely difficult to ascertain a proper evaluation on the Rams Malcolm Brown given the fact that he hasn’t seen much of the field with Todd Gurley running the show. In his brief four year NFL stint, Brown has been used quite sparingly to say the least. Currently sitting as the backup to Gurley on the depth charts, we could envision a situation where he is jumped by new rookie Darrell Henderson.

At this point his fantasy football radar is rather meek for a player that does hold a good level of skill. Coach Sean McVay has proven to do what’s best for the offense, and Brown doesn’t appear to be that guy. Nothing less than injuries will get Brown on the field and into fantasy relevance.

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RB LOS ANGELES John KELLRYAM S W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Coming out of college, John Kelly was perhaps one of our favorite players to make a splash in the NFL. The excitement grew when the high-octane offensive prowess of the Los Angeles Rams selected him in last years draft.

Looking to be the perfect compliment to super star Todd Gurley, Kelly never found his footing in his rookie season while only suiting up for four contests. Having nothing feasible to warrant trust in the coaching staff, the Rams selected another running back in this year’s draft in Darrell Henderson. Early reports suggest that coach McVay is enamoured with the talents of Henderson, placing Kelly further in the dog house.

For value purposes in respect to John Kelly, his stock is trending downward unless the fear on Gurley’s knee is 100% truth. Kelly should be on the watch list but not housed on a roster.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB M IAM I M yles DOLPHINS GASKIN W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

As the Dolphins continue yet another form of a rebuild with another new head coach taking over the reins, this year’s seventh round pick is truly a question mark. Being regarded as a sound producer in college never seeing less than 1200 rushing yards gained in each of his four seasons, there is something to like about his overall game.

Gaskin is quite undersized for the pro game but makes up for it with his hardnosed running style and decent level of athletic ability. Currently sitting behind Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage on the depth chart, 2019 might not be the year we talk a great deal of his achievements. Depending on how things shake out in Miami, Gaskin could become a long term solution as a change of pace back.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB M IAM I Kenyan DOLPHINS DRAKE W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Sometimes, situation just outshines ability. W e see it happen all the time with rookies, but we also see it with veterans when a free agent may be brought in to help carry the load. That happened with Kenyan Drake last season when Frank Gore was brought in via free agency. A lot of people didn’t understand the move, including myself, but I warned everyone at that time. Gore was not signing with a team to sit and watch, he was going to have a spot in that offense.

Drake ran for 444 yards over the final five games of the 2017 season and looked ready to take over as the lead back prior to Gore signing. Even though Drake didn’t receive the workload many owners hoped for last season, he was a service able option. In PPR leagues, Drake checked in as the RB14 in 2018 while only compiling 160 carries on the ground. W hat will 2019 bring?

There will be 156 vacated carries from Gore that can be split up between Drake and Kalen Ballage. If we conservatively say Drake will add half of those carries to his 2018 total, that would be 238 carries. If he can carry that ball 238 times at his career YPA of 4.7, Drake could run for more than 1,000 yards on the ground. If he can manage that work on the ground with similar work through the air, we are talking mid to high RB2 upside in 2019. Drake is going around the fourth and fifth round, offering ultimate value and bang for your buck.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB M IAM I Kalen DOLPHINS BALLAGE W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W ith the Dolphins new coaching regime looking to appraise every aspect of this roster in 2019 to obtain a firm path forward, we are truly intrigued with the prospects of Kalen Ballage. W hile the depth chart shows Kenyan Drake having the starting role for this club, we fell as though Ballage could be that X-factor as the change of pace runner.

Not having any viable statistical prowess to highlight a potential breakout campaign, the fact that this team will see great evaluation in 2019, Coach Brian Flores will surly like to know what he has in his second year pro.

Having Ballage on your fantasy roster is something we can get on board with, given the low average draft position. He’s likely to be a top waiver pickup this season so definitely pick your poison.

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RB M INNESOTA Dalvin COOKVIKINGS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Going back to the start of last season our thought process on the Vikings was meek at best. For running backs tearing their ACL during the course of a season typically results in long recovery. Not only does physical recovery need to take shape, the mental aspect of running full force while making hard cuts plays games with young minds.

Moving forward to this offseason and beyond, we believe Cook has finally overcome both those aspects of his knee injury and we are ready to jump back on the ship and ride all the waves. After last year’s week 10 bye, the Vikings coaching staff vowed to ease Cook back into the offensive scheme to which results were found. His breakout performance in week 15 against the reignited our interest in what he could eventually become.

Moving forward to the prospects of the 2019 season, Cook has been seen on video to be moving extremely well making quick change of direction cuts while exhibiting that elite burst. Our intrigue is further dictated with the addition of Gary Kubiak to this offense where he’ll bring a great level of experience to the play calling. W ith Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, and still being the anchors to this unit, the only aspect missing from Minnesota being dominant is a solid run attack. Cook should see very few stacked boxes while being a fixture in the pass game, win-win.

W ith all the talent at the running back position in the NFL these days, a true three down back is something that should be coveted and will be realized from Cook in 2019. W e wouldn’t be surprised to see Cook flirt with a top five finish this season racking up anywhere from 1100-1200 yards and 12 total touchdowns.

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RB NEW ENGLAND James PATRIOTS W HITE W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen discussing the Patriots James W hite, it’s absolutely amazing to witness where he sits in terms of average draft position. For a player who killed it last season finishing as the seventh best running back in point per reception formats, to see his ADP sit to the late fourth round seems disrespectful. W hile we fully understand how the Patriots roll and confuse the fantasy community with which back they intend to feed, we still have faith W hite will have a prominent role.

As the Patriots have retooled their roster to hold more weapons in the pass game, W hite has been a will again be a favorite of . Last season W hite saw a team leading 123 targets for an impressive 87 receptions going for a healthy 751 yards. Its possible these numbers could see some level of regression in 2019, but how the Patriots like to disguise each week’s game plans, W hite will surly pick up where he left off.

At this point of the offseason, we have no issue placing strong endorsement for James W hite especially for where he can be selected. He should begin the season as a weekly flex player with low end RB2 upside. Given the injury history of , W hite will continue to be a big part of this offense, having great chemistry with Brady in the pass game. Let the rest continue to sleep on W hite as you gain extremely great value in PPR formats.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB NEW ENGLAND Rex PATRIOTS BURKHEAD W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen signed on with the a couple seasons ago, the optimism that he could hold down a prominent role was front and center. Having shown in a number of contests to have that ability to excel, injuries have derailed the overall output one had hoped he could achieve.

Heading into the 2019 season with Sony Michel, James W hite, and rookie Damien Harris all prime to have bigger roles than Burkhead, we truly question the value for even housing him on a fantasy roster. Until further notice, we have no choice but to recommend passing on Burkhead until the usage is known.

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RB NEW ORLEANS Latavius M URSRAAYINTS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Having played his last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, success levels were decent at best for a running back that appeared to have a lot of promise back in Oakland. Hitching his ship to now be a member of the , we have some level of intrigue to what role he’ll have.

W ith Mark Ingram no longer on the team, there was a clear need for Coach to find a bruising type of back to help sustain their systematic running attack. In our eyes Murray doesn’t even compare to the skillset of what Ingram gave to the Saints, but in this offense, there is room for Murray to excel to career high levels. W ith that said, we could see Alvin Kamara used a lot more with Murray playing only mopup duty.

From the standalone fantasy value perspective, Murray is a very interesting player that does have some level of solid upside. W e could envision anywhere from 500-800 rushing yards with approximately 5-10 touchdowns on the season. His value at this point is up in the air.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB NEW ORLEANS Alvin KAMSARAAINTS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

Back to back top-five finishes at the running back position to start your career will make you one of the most desirable fantasy assets for owners. The scary thing about Alvin Kamara though, is that he may be in for an even better season this year. Kamara now sheds the Mark Ingram shadow, who has been stealing touches for two years now and even though the Saints added Latavius Murray, I am not worried about him.

Kamara could be ready to carry a heavier workload. Kamara has 100 targets and 81 receptions each of his first two seasons while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Can you just imagine Kamara breaking 200 carries for the first time in his career while continuing his dominance in the passing game? He could be in for a very special season. He will be one of the first five picks off the board in every single format, but if you took him at 1.01, I wouldn’t argue it with you. He’s a top fantasy asset in both redraft and dynasty formats.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB NEW YORK Saquon BARKGLEIYANTS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

The consensus first overall pick in 2019 is and that says a lot about the upside fantasy owners believe he has. The Giants will probably have an offensive line that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL, they are still committed to a declining Eli Manning or could switch to rookie Daniel Jones and they traded their other best offensive weapon in Odell Beckham Jr. W ill this keep Barkley from being one of the top performers of 2019 or will he just defy those odds?

Barkley was incredible last season, touching the ball 352 times for 2,028 yards, averaging 5.76 yards per touch. As a Barkley owner, you should still expect that same kind of volume, but there is a large possibility that the efficiency goes down. The Giants don’t have a guy that can stretch the field or command the type of coverage like Beckham did. If opposing offenses decide to key on the run and stack the box, forcing Manning or Jones to beat them, Barkley may not total the same type of rushing yards he did last year.

W ith all that being said, Barkley is still a decent pick at 1.01, even if I don’t agree with it. I would personally go with someone that may be a safer pick that early. A player like Ezekiel Elliott or Alvin Kamara present just as much upside without as many questions around them.

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RB NEW YORK Elijah M cGU I RJEETS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

It’s apparent in our eyes to suggest that the Jets Elijah McGuire has seen his most lucrative opportunity in the league and didn’t do much with it. Granted he still is a young player that could turn the corner now entering his third NFL season, but based on the skillset, we are less than convinced.

Having struggled with injury troubles a season ago, now McGuire has the great Le’Veon Bell to contend with which will make it near impossible to see the field. Having a career yards per carry hovering around a disastrous 3.3 YPC, we believe his role is best suited as the short yardage and goal line back.

Barring any injury to Bell, we would have to recommend leaving McGuire on the waiver until further notice.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB NEW YORK Le’Veon BELL JETS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

It seems like forever since we saw Le’Veon Bell on a football field. After sitting out all of 2018 for a contract dispute with the Steelers, the soap opera between the two was officially finished when Bell headed to New York as a free agent. The market for Bell didn’t seem as hot as most imagined and can you blame them? There have even been some media reports that new coach Adam Gase was not happy the front office decided to spend money on signing Bell. The Jets are on the up though and are on of my favorite teams to take a huge leap from 2018 to 2019, and I’m sure Bell will be a big part of that.

Bell is a favorite of mine, not in the draft, but to trade for after the season starts. Bell didn’t miss 2018 due to an injury, but he still missed an entire season and is now starting with a new team and new offensive scheme. There would typically be a transition period for any player, but Bell may have one that lasts a little longer as he gets back into it. This would probably be helped if Bell participates in training camp and the pre-season, but that has yet to be seen. So, instead of spending a first-round pick to draft Bell, wait until a few games into the season and send a trade offer to the Bell owner. If the slow start happens, you could get Bell from an owner panicking and get great value.

In redraft leagues, Bell will be a first-round pick, but wait on it. I would rather buy into Joe Mixon or Dalvin Cook than Bell, but don’t let that scare you away from offering up a trade a few weeks into the season. For dynasty leagues, Bell is a hard pass for me. You can get good value during the off-season, but you may have to wait a while after that.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB NEW YORK Ty M ON T G JOEMTESRY W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

After providing the uneven outlook on Elijah McGuire, our thought process for the former Packer cast off is much more intriguing. The fumble which cost Montgomery his role with Green Bay shouldn’t take away from the impressive, unique skillset he possesses.

Finding a place with the Jets this offseason, Montgomery could be fighting for a roster spot early. W ith that said, we would be shocked to see him hit the streets as he could mimic Le’Veon Bell in this offense without missing a step. If Bell hits the sidelines for a breather, the play calling would remain steadfast with Montgomery in as relief.

Difficult to say how big of a role he’ll have in 2019, but definitely Monty is a player to watch in mop-up duties.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB OAKLAND Chris W ARREANI DIIIERS W RITTEN BY: RYAN O’CONNELL TW ITTER: @DRAFTING_KING

If you’re sitting here wondering why nobody is talking about this 6’2 250 lb RB in Oakland that’s because he got sidelined before the hype could ever really get his name out there. During the preseason last year Chris W arren showed the Raider Nation a glimpse of what could be, before having season ending surgery on his knee.

Fast forward to 2019 and the Raiders drafted a first-round talent in Josh Jacobs, who should be the workhorse in that offense in 2019. I’m not advocating that Chris W arren will take over that backfield…. BUT he is someone to keep an eye on as a potential waiver wire pick-up or super late flier. The nice thing about this is that that the Oakland Raiders will be on Hard Knocks, which is a HBO show that will go in depth into every practice and give you a nice inside look to what’s going on with the team. Use this a resource to see how you think that backfield will truly shape up in 2019.

My thought is that for a sleeper to have any kind of value you must look at their path to potential playing time and usage in that offense. W ell, Chris W arren doesn’t have much competition outside of Josh Jacobs. Jalen Richard is a 3rd down specialist, Doug Martin is over the hill and simply a shell of a player that he used to be, which leaves Josh Jacobs and Chris W arren vying for that starting spot. I think Josh Jacobs will win based on draft capitol alone. Could Chris warren get some feature work, especially around the goal line with such a massive frame? It’s yet to be seen, but it’s something I’ll be monitoring very closely on Hard Knocks and on the depth charts as we get closer to the start of the season.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB OAKLAND Josh JACOBRSAIDERS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W ith a new look Oakland Raiders team forming after seeing new general manager do everything in his power to revamp this roster, things could be looking up in the Bay area.

Depending on how you evaluate rookie running backs, former Alabama prospect Josh Jacobs has been placed in a prime situation where he could put the league on notice that he can be a trusted runner and fantasy producer. Still having strong belief in the Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and that the offensive line should bounce back to levels seen in the past, things look very positive for Jacobs.

The only issue we see at the moment is where Jacobs average draft position currently sits. W hile we fully understand the notion of workload, there still is no guarantee for Jacobs until after the preseason. W e do love the fact that stacked boxes shouldn’t be a concern with and Tyrell W illiams keeping safeties on their heels, we still struggle with his ADP hovering around the late third round believing better value could be had.

The potential is gearing up in the right direction, but it will take quite a bit more for us to fully endorse Jacobs this season.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB OAKLAND Jalen RICHRARADIDERS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

The Oakland Raiders have entertained a face lift like no other on the offensive side of the ball. On paper this squad looks to be prime to do damage on the field no matter the competition. W ith Antonio Brown, Tyrell W illiams becoming the new duo for Derek Carr, correcting the running game was the next priority.

Seeing once again call it a career and head to retirement, a gapping hole was left leaving the Raiders to draft rookie Josh Jacobs to the fold. In fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses for Jacobs, Jalen Richard will again have a very large role on this offense as the change of pace and pass catching back. Having seen career highs in targets (81), receptions (68), and receiving yards (607), its quite clear that John Gruden appreciates what Richard brings to the table.

W ith all that said, Richard hasn’t been able to provide consistency to warrant being anything more than a matchup player with solid point per reception upside. Last round draft selection or waiver wire addition is the play here.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB PHILADELPHIA Jordan HOWEARADGLES W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

In our eyes, its unfathomable to have seen Jordan Howard treated with such disrespect given the solid production he gave the Chicago Bears in his three years with the team. Having carried the ball a whopping 778 time in that three-year span, Howard nearly found himself the recipient of having three straight 1000 yard seasons. He did fall a mere 65 yards short of reaching that milestone, but circumstances were out of his control.

Being traded this offseason to the , get ready for a true rebirth and appreciation for what Howard will be able to achieve. First and foremost, the Eagles have a roster that will compete for a shot at the Super Bowl and will remain highly competitive this season. W hile most will be contingent on the health of their quarterback Carson W entz, Howard will relieve a lot of pressure. Having shown the ability to carry the ball upwards of over 270 times back in 2017, its not out of the question to see that come to fruition again this season.

The only issue we have to place full endorsement on Howard this season,is the addition of rookie to the mix. If Howard does find himself to struggle in any contest, Sanders could steal those carries limiting the overall output. W ith that said, Howard is currently being drafted at the backend of the seventh round to which will become a monumental theft. The value to potential, to return on investment may be the best for any player in the league this season.

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RB PHILADELPHIA M iles SANDEERASGLES W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

One of our favorite players to come out of the NFL draft is new Philadelphia Eagle and Penn State product Miles Sanders. W hile the viewing public still has an uneven outlook on the talented runner simply because he followed Giants stud Saquon Barkley, we aren’t in that circle. W hile it’s never easy to rest in the shadow of a player like Barkley, Sanders not only held his own but flashed supreme skill in his junior season with the Nittany Lions.

Our pre-draft evaluation and post film study on Sanders confirmed over and over that his skillset is very impressive and should be exploited by the Eagles. Not only did Sanders carry the ball a healthy 220 times for 1274 yards, he added a decent 24 receptions in his final season of college. Finding the endzone nine times was also nothing to sneeze at.

In terms of identifying the skillset, Sanders is phenomenal running between the tackles with very quick feet and a world class jump step. He possesses an elite change of direction with sound patience and great burst when he finds open space. His hands are above average and does house very deceptive power at the point of attack. For NFL comparison purposes, we view Sanders much like a young LeSean McCoy.

From the fantasy perspective, it’s difficult to place high marks on the rookie at this point as his long term value appears to be vastly higher. W ith that said the Eagles should provide Sanders every opportunity to carve out a role and perhaps creating a stellar one-two punch with newly acquired Jordan Howard. It’s our feeling that Sanders will become a steady fixture in this offense and should steal more work around the half way point of the season. Value is extremely high for rookie Miles Sanders in 2019 and moving forward.

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RB PITTSBURGH Jaylen STEELERS SAM UELS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

James Conner finished as the RB6 in half-PPR leagues and people are downgrading him for 2019 due to one man and that is Jaylen Samuels. Samuels isn’t going to take Conner’s job and he’s not going to be anywhere close to a RB1 in 2019, but he’s going to do just enough that he is fantasy relevant. If you find yourself taking Conner on draft day, then you need to add Samuels to your queue and make sure you draft him later.

Samuels had one big game down the stretch for owners in 2018, rushing for 142 yards against the Patriots but Samuels had 20 targets in the passing game from W eek 13 forward. It is also interesting to note that the Steelers hired Samuels former position coach from North Carolina State. A likely outcome for 2019 is more along the lines of a -Austin Ekeler type situation and production than Mark Ingram-Alvin Kamara. Samuels will make some noise in the passing game and may move around a little bit, but Conner will still see enough workload to be a RB2. Samuels himself will land in a flex position role so even if you draft him and don’t have Conner, it’s likely you will see him in your lineups certain weeks during the year.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB PITTSBURGH James STEELERS CONNER W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Over the past few seasons, no team has seen more controversy than the . In dealing with the whole Le’VeonBell hold out situation, to then being forced to cater to Antonio Brown’s trade request, we will see a new look unit to some degree.

Entering his third NFL season, James Conner showed the NFL that he could in fact become a real threat on the field in relief of Bell. It was clear in our eyes that though Conner is supremely gifted, he wasn’t just yet what Bell was in this offense. W ith that said, his statistical achievements were nothing to sneeze at as Conner was on pace to reach nearly 1200 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. At first glance Conner doesn’t appear to hold the same fluid level of pass catching ability like his counterparts, but has done enough to make his presence known.

Looking ahead to the 2019 season, Conner will receive every opportunity to again plant himself as the team’s leading rusher while competing to be a league leader in most rushing categories. Holding down a ranking in the top 10 was something we struggled with early on this offseason but have since come around to the thought.

This Steelers offense should again be a high powered, high octane unit that will score point in bunches. W e may not see the complete dominance as we did in the past, but big numbers will be the outcome. Conner will again produce RB1 statistics in 2019.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB SEATTLE Chris SEAHAWKS CARSON W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen the Seahawks grabbed Chris Carson back in 2017, Coach Pete Carroll believed he had the purest of runners to lead this team on the ground. W ith a rookie season basically lost to injury, Carson found his game in 2018 leaving the prospects to look rather impressive for the upcoming campaign.

Carson isn’t the most nimble of foot but does hold a good level of skill toproduce in this offense. W ith Russell W ilson attracting so much attention to his direction, teams have a difficult time stacking the box to halt last year’s top rushing attack. Carson finished last year with quite impressive statistics while missing two contests to injury. Carson cracked the 200-point mark ranking him as the 15thbest producer amongst his peers, not too shabby. W ith how this offense is once again constructed, Carson should again see a giant workload come his way.

For the purposes of placing value on the Seahawks running back, we actually feel quite taken with his mid-fourth round average draft position. W e’ll take a 1200 yard running back with nearly 10 touchdowns any day of the week on our fantasy team at those stages of a draft. W ith added receiving talent to this team (DK Metcalf), fewer stacked boxes should be the result leaving Carson to gallop free on more than one occasion. Potential top 10 rankings are in his future.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB SEATTLE Rashaad SEAHAWKS PENNY W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Coming out of last year’s NFL draft, we were quite bullish on the former San Diego State product believing he could be a featured player. W hile it did take some time for Rashaad Penny to get his feet wet feeling more comfortable with the pro game, he still took a back seat to teammate Chris Carson.

Looking forward to the potential for the upcoming season, we are very curious to see if greater steps can be made to steal some of the workload. It’s our contention that Coach Pete Carroll could ride the hot hand in many games this season, but it’s clear at this point that Carson is his go-to guy. Penny did make waves as the season progressed to showcase his abilities which could equate to more statistical achievements, but we truly need to see it on the field to be sure.

Penny should have a role on this offense this season forming a tandem with Carson, but must be treated more as an injury handcuff rather than a weekly starter. Matchup flex appeal could be here rather early, but our expectations are more realistic. If you draft Penny, he will be a bench stash wait and see.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB SAN FRANCISCO Raheem 49ERS M OSTERT W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

The found themselves in a situation where injuries were a common thread. Being forced to roll with practically every running back on the roster and practice squad, Kyle Shanahan found a gem in Raheem Mostert.

Mostert looked very impressive in contests played,being extremely efficient in both the run and pass games. W hen teammate fell victim to an injury himself, Mostert was looking to make a name for himself and was picking up steam. Unfortunately, Mostert also found his way to the medical room with a broken forearm ending his season.

For the prospects of fantasy football relevance, Mostert should start the season on the bench as a reserve back behind Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, and Matt Breida. Its clear that Shanahan has hedged his bets this season to protect the team for catastrophic injuries as seen from a season ago. Mostert is virtually un-draftable and will only see the field in relief.

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RB SAN FRANCISCO Jerick 49ERS M cKINNON W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hen the 49ers signed the speedy Jerick McKinnon from the Vikings, his first season was lost to an ACL injury which couldn’t even materialize one snap in the regular season.

Moving forward to the 2019 campaign, the 49ers have created a situation where their backfield will become very intriguing to say the least. Bringing on former Falcons standout Tevin Coleman to the mix will absolutely change the dynamics of how McKinnon will be used. It’s our contention that Coach Kyle Shanahan will lean on Coleman majority of the time,while using McKinnon as the third down and change of pace back. Knowing the skills that McKinnon possesses, he will have a role but not as large as some may believe.

San Francisco has a glorious opportunity to become an offensive juggernaut this season making McKinnon an interesting fantasy player with high flex upside.W e would caution over drafting him this season until we understand how this offense will be run.

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RB TAM PA BAY Ronald BUCCANEERS JONES II W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W ith hype coming out of the 2018 NFL draft, we can’t recall a worse rookie campaign in league history than the one Ronald Jones went though. Having to deal with injuries for basically the entire season, even when Jones was given a slim opportunity it didn’t equate to much of anything.

W ith a new regime taking over in Tampa Bay lead by Bruce Arians, we have an optimistic outlook that Jones could find his footing. Jones is a speed rusher that does have sound change of direction ability and can make play in the pass game, which is music to the ears of Arians.

W hile it is difficult to trust Jones in basically all formats, we have a sneaky suspicion that he could have a very sound season. Coach Arians knows how to exploit the talents of his running backs leaving Jones a potential sleeper candidate in fantasy drafts. Currently being ranked in the ninth round, Jones could become a steal with literally no competition to stand in his way.

Using a later round draft pick to secure his services and keeping him on the bench is our recommended play for Ronald Jones.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB TAM PA BAY Peyton BUCCANEERS BARBER W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

W hile it’s extremely difficult to understand the plans for this Tampa Bay backfield with new head coach Bruce Arians now interacted in his first offseason. Historically, Arians has been known to favor one runner over a full blown committee, but this year he may not have a choice.

It’s nothing to suggest that Barber isn’t a good football player, but in terms of being the lead back in any system, we tend to cringe. Barber was thrust into the majority role last season and the results were quite uninspiring. W ith solid volume provided to Barber (234 carries and 29 targets), the output was meek at best.

Also, with second year pro Ronald Jones gaining hype as each day passes, we can’t endorse Barber as anything other than a matchup play bench stash for 2019.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB TENNESSEE Derrick HENRTYITANS W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

You know the old saying. Fool me once, shame on you but fool me twice, shame on me. A lot of people don’t want to feel the shame after investing in Derrick Henry a second straight offseason, only to be let down later when he doesn’t show up or continues to lose touches to Dion Lewis. I am here to die on one hill this offseason and it will be with Henry.

Any argument you make up for not drafting Henry is a logical argument that I won’t try to prove wrong. My whole point to Henry won’t be trying to convince you he isn’t a risk for a second straight year but why he should be worth the risk. Everyone is talking about Henry’s performance down the stretch after running for 238 yards against the , but he was playing well long before that. From their W eek 8 bye on, Henry ran for 786 yards on 131 attempts for six yards per carry. So it wasn’t just a luck stretch like 2017, it was a change in commitment to setting him up for success and slowly building up his volume.

Henry is going to be heavily involved in 2019 while the Titans focus on the run and letting just control the game instead of forcing him to win the game every week. W ith a defense as good as the Titans, running the ball and controlling the game should be the winning formula all year.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB TENNESSEE Dion LEW ITSITANS W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Before Dion Lewis had his breakout campaign with the Patriots, the overall body of work was nothing overly impressive. W hen Lewis signed his big money deal with the Titans last season, greater expectations followed him to which it ended with good, but not great statistics.

Having gained a reasonable 917 total yards last season with a positive 59 receptions, we do feel more comfortable to get behind Lewis in year two in Tennessee. W ith that said our distain for current starting quarterback Marcus Mariota always provides great fear that this offense will never find its true colors. Perhaps the outlook will view much better with Ryan Tannehill throwing the ball? Something to think about!

Lewis will again team up with Derrick Henry in the backfield to create a thunder and lightning dynamic that should become difficult to stop. However, without vast improvement from Mariota, results will again vary. Even still, seeing his average draft position sit in the 10th round, the value is great for a potential weekly flex player.

W e can easily get behind Lewis at the right price in all point per reception formats.

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RB WASHINGTON Derrius REDSKINS GUICE W RITTEN BY: KYLE RICHARDSON TW ITTER: @KRICH1532

The year is 2018 and a very disrespected Derrius Guiceis ready to get the season rolling and prove to everyone that his slide in the draft was uncalled for. Little does any of us know, one of the most hyped rookies that offseason would suffer a torn ACL and be lost before it could get started. Now that Darrius Guice is healthy, will he be able to separate himself from ?

The Redskins decision to bring Peterson back was puzzling to some, but he had a very underrated performance last season. If the Redskins don’t feel Guice is fully ready to go or they want to be careful with him, might as well let Peterson lead he backfield for another season while Guice works his way back.

Long term, Guice is the answer and you should be trying to scoop him up in all dynasty leagues. For 2019 though, it may be best to skip on Guice altogether. The only way Guice would take over the backfield completely would be a serious injury to Peterson. Remember when the Saints signed Peterson a couple seasons ago and he was finally released after openly complaining on the sidelines about not being in the game? The Redskins wouldn’t bring in Peterson and do the same thing to this team. At best, with no injuries, this is a split backfield with no way of knowing who the main guy, on a week to week basis, will be.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB WASHINGTON Adrian REDSKINS PETERSON W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

The standard for running backs to witness a glaring decline has been the ripe age of 30 years old. Don’t tell that to the future hall of famer Adrian Peterson though. Having seen his struggles in 2017 with the Saints and Cardinals, Peterson revamped his persona in W ashington to the tune of over 1000 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

Heading into 2019 and still believing he can contribute again at very high levels, we have to pump the brakes on any sure thing. Peterson will be 34 years old when the season kicks off and will have to contend with Derrius Guice back from injury. Even as the Skins look to ease Guice back into on field action, Peterson should see his role decline as the year progresses.

Feeling much better to recommend Peterson as a pure handcuff rather than a weekly starter is where we see this going. W e won’t be shocked to see a time share through the first six weeks, only to lose traction to Guice after that.

THE FANTASY HEADLINERS RB WASHINGTON Chris REDSKINS THOM PSON W RITTEN BY: CHRIS CHOUS TW ITTER: @CHRIS_ADF1

Over the past few seasons, Chris Thompson has been one of our favorite X-factor players in point per reception formats. W hen the Redskins have given Thompson the opportunity, more often than not he has taken full advantage.

Last season we saw a fantastic level of productivity in the beginning of the season becoming a trusted product for and his check downs. Unfortunately like the 2017 campaign, Thompson fell victim to injury which equated to lost time and lost productivity. Looking ahead to this season and beyond, the importance of remaining healthy and on the field will be paramount for his long term future. W ith Derrius Guice looking to find his footing, Thompson should have a role as the primary pass catching back in this offense.

Based on history it’s obvious the fantasy community has lost faith in Thompson, placing him with a last round evaluation for average draft position. Still for the sake of finding value, we will swing for the fences one more time on Thompson with our last pick and encourage others to do the same.

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