5 Undervalued RBs (According to Yahoo)

[redseat]

Five running backs ripe with value | Roto Arcade - Yahoo Sports

C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
ADP (12-team Round): 2.7 (RB11)

When speaking to the press last Thursday, Broncos GM John Elway stated that Denver's offense would be "balanced" and that the run game would become QB Peyton Manning's "best friend." That means a whole lot of Anderson.

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Built like a fireplug on wheels, Anderson can rumble downhill and break tackles better than that creepy zombie army on "Game of Thrones." When Denver's offense shifted to the run late in 2014, the power back averaged over 100 rushing yards per game and scored a total of nine touchdowns.

With Manning's personal approval, and in run-friendly Gary Kubiak's offense, Anderson could easily see 15 touches per game and end up a top-five fantasy producer at the position. With oodles more upside than either LeSean McCoy or DeMarco Murray, Anderson is a steal in the late second round.

LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots
ADP: 10.1 (RB28)

Despite rumors that he failed his initial conditioning test, Blount was reportedly the best player on the field at Patriots training camp this past weekend. Head coach Bill Belichick has a way with the thick bodied (and often thickheaded) power back. In their 27 games together, Blount has averaged nearly 5.0 YPC and scored a total of 17 touchdowns.

With Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen removed from the equation, Blount has bell cow written all over him. A beast after contact, the 6-foot, 250-pounder should rack up yardage on early downs, particularly when noting that the team has eliminated two of its weakest run blockers. The fact that he's being drafted after any of the Cowboys' backs or a passing-downs specialist like Giovani Bernard is straight-up bananas.

What Blount won't do is put up consistent fantasy numbers a on week-to-week basis. However, when the matchup is juicy or the game script projects to be run heavy, Blount's productivity should spike. Once his one-game suspension is out of the way, Blount should boom more frequently than he busts.

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ADP: 12.2 (RB34)

The years since his rookie season have not been kind to Martin. After a string of injuries and coaching changes, the former first-round pick ended 2014 on the Bucs' trading block. Newly hired offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, however, saved the Muscle Hamster's hide and vowed to give him another shot in 2015.

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Entering the final year of his contract, Martin appears motivated to produce. He's lost nearly 15 pounds and gained some much needed speed. A revamped offensive line and an upgrade in talent under center should also take some heat off of the one-time Pro Bowler.

Currently the Bucs RB1, Martin is set up to command the bulk of the ground game with receiving back Charles Sims handling the passing-down duties. Likely to finish 2015 with a little over 700 yards and six TDs, Martin could pull off low-end RB2 numbers.

Shane Vereen, New York Giants
ADP: 12.8 (RB37)

Eli Manning's muscle memory.

RB1 Rashad Jennings is still the mix, but at 30 years old, he has yet to play a full season without being injured. The younger and more durable Vereen is a stealthy snatch and potential flex play. He has more juice than Darren McFadden and should see more regular action than Darren Sproles – both of whom are coming off boards ahead of Vereen – making him particularly attractive to PPR enthusiasts.

Chris Ivory, New York Jets
ADP: 13.0 (RB39)

Here's what we know about the Jets backfield: Stevan Ridley is less than a year removed from an ACL tear. Zac Stacy lost his job to a rookie last season. Bilal Powell will be limited to work on third downs. And Chris Ivory is a reliable bruiser who has averaged 4.7 YPC over his career.

Ranked the third most elusive back in 2014 by Pro Football Focus, Ivory racked up 944 all-purpose yards and seven TDs. Even in a frustrating time share with Chris Johnson, Ivory still finished the season a top-20 fantasy producer.

This backfield may seem muddy, but Ivory is the Jets' RB1. If he can stay healthy – which he has managed to do the past two seasons – he'll come close to duplicating his numbers from last year.

Follow Liz Loza @LizLoza_FF

 

[redseat]

Thoughts?

 

[leftypower]

My initial thoughts are - undervalued by who?? They certainly seem to be going long before the ADP rds they have listed - then again Yahoo default leagues are 10 teams with 2RB, 3WR starter formats. I bet their ADP for WR is well above that for 12 team leagues with 2RB, 2WR, flex formats. In other words, consider the source and league settings. ....

 

[redseat]

Yeah, I didn't think it was the greatest article since it was from Yahoo... But you bring up great points.

I beat Chris Mortenson made this list and will later recant this and back track like a mofo

 

[huskers1217]

I am not wasting a high draft pick on Martin until he shows something. I have him 5th round the highest. I think he will produce good numbers but there are more sure things out there.

CJ Anderson obviously is a top 5 guy and will have to be with Peyton getting older

Vereen is in way too much of a rotation to trust him. Jennings will be strong again.

Same with Chris Ivory..too many variables to trust him...

And finally, Blount - primed for a great year but if he gets on Bill's bad side or has one fumble he could be MIA for 4 games.

 

[TREFF]

CJ Anderson undervalued?!?!?

That's hilarious! Most overvalued RB who will be drafted this year

 

[wilwhite]

CJ Anderson isn't the 11th RB in most ADPs - closer to 7th. The issue with him being that high is competition.

The others are reasonable calls, mostly because their ADP is so low that they could easily outperform it. Big whoop though if you take Ivory as the 30th RB and he ends up as the 24th-best RB.

 

[fordman84]

Whomever wins the Dallas RB job. He will be the most undervalued. Right now it sounds like Randall will win the job. He will be running behind a massive line that is good at opening holes. No one is going to be looking at Dallas RB's this season.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Whomever wins the Dallas RB job. He will be the most undervalued. Right now it sounds like Randall will win the job. He will be running behind a massive line that is good at opening holes. No one is going to be looking at Dallas RB's this season.

Not sure what leagues you're talking about, but Randle is not undervalued or unnoticed.

 

[wilwhite]

Randle's going at around the 18th RB - so a low RB2. If he stays healthy and out of the doghouse he should beat that no problem.

(He seems to kinda like that doghouse, though.)

 

[TREFF]

CJ Anderson isn't the 11th RB in most ADPs - closer to 7th. The issue with him being that high is competition.

The others are reasonable calls, mostly because their ADP is so low that they could easily outperform it. Big whoop though if you take Ivory as the 30th RB and he ends up as the 24th-best RB.

I'd agree a case can be made for the others, but CJ? According to fantasy football calculator, his ADP is 1.09!!! How can you call anyone being drafted in the first round "undervalued"? I mean unless you think a guy should be the hands down #1 overall pick, how can a first round adp be considered under valued? Even people who are die hard believers in CJ aren't saying he should be in the #1 overall discussion.

BTW...the local jabronies in Denver are finally admitting that they're not sure who the starter will be, or if it won't just be an all of committee. There truly is a wide open competition going into camp. So tread lightly on the CJ bandwagon. ..

 

[fordman84]

Not sure what leagues you're talking about, but Randle is not undervalued or unnoticed.

He's gone late in every mock I've run. I'm not expecting him to be taken in the first 6 rounds of a snake draft or command a very high price in an auction draft.

What is his average draft round in your mocks?

 

[Trudem]

I'd agree a case can be made for the others, but CJ? According to fantasy football calculator, his ADP is 1.09!!! How can you call anyone being drafted in the first round "undervalued"? I mean unless you think a guy should be the hands down #1 overall pick, how can a first round adp be considered under valued? Even people who are die hard believers in CJ aren't saying he should be in the #1 overall discussion.

BTW...the local jabronies in Denver are finally admitting that they're not sure who the starter will be, or if it won't just be an all of committee. There truly is a wide open competition going into camp. So tread lightly on the CJ bandwagon. ..

It is Anderson's job to lose right now. However if he comes out of the gate slowly and Ball is playing well anything can happen, but I still see Anderson performing well in the offense. Provided healthy of course...

 

[TKOSpikes]

He's gone late in every mock I've run. I'm not expecting him to be taken in the first 6 rounds of a snake draft or command a very high price in an auction draft.

What is his average draft round in your mocks?

First, mocks are almost pointless, especially before preseason even starts. He will be drafted in the 4th at the latest. 5th maybe in leagues that QB are drafted early and often.

 

[TKOSpikes]

It is Anderson's job to lose right now. However if he comes out of the gate slowly and Ball is playing well anything can happen, but I still see Anderson performing well in the offense. Provided healthy of course...

Enter the new JT.

 

[fordman84]

First, mocks are almost pointless, especially before preseason even starts. He will be drafted in the 4th at the latest. 5th maybe in leagues that QB are drafted early and often.

Which is why I can't understand people saying he isn't underrated. We have guys in here being called underrated because they are projecting late 1st round or 2nd. here is someone considered to be the #1 RB (on the team) behind the #1 OL, and sitting in the 4th (at best) isn't underrated?

Ok.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Which is why I can't understand people saying he isn't underrated. We have guys in here being called underrated because they are projecting late 1st round or 2nd. here is someone considered to be the #1 RB (on the team) behind the #1 OL, and sitting in the 4th (at best) isn't underrated?

Ok.

That's the range of RB13 - 20. Maybe he finishes top ten, in which case I agree with you, but I see the latter happening due to the Cowboys continuing to be "looking" for help at the position. Maybe that's for backup concerns, maybe not, but I would prefer a top 15 WR.

 

[TREFF]

It is Anderson's job to lose right now. However if he comes out of the gate slowly and Ball is playing well anything can happen, but I still see Anderson performing well in the offense. Provided healthy of course...

It may seem that way, but it sure doesn't sound like that's the case at all. Sounds more like it's Ball's to win, rather than CJ'S to lose if you're listening to the beat reporters. CJ might be entering as #1, but they're giving Ball...and Juwan Thompson, plenty of opportunity to take it. No way I'm touching him unless one of the others faceplants between now and any of my drafts, especially if he's costing me a first round pick.

 

[TREFF]

That's the range of RB13 - 20. Maybe he finishes top ten, in which case I agree with you, but I see the latter happening due to the Cowboys continuing to be "looking" for help at the position. Maybe that's for backup concerns, maybe not, but I would prefer a top 15 WR.

They keep insisting it's most likely a committee anyways. .hard to see a top 10 back from that situation, even if it is behind the #1 line.

 

[wilwhite]

He's gone late in every mock I've run. I'm not expecting him to be taken in the first 6 rounds of a snake draft or command a very high price in an auction draft.

What is his average draft round in your mocks?

Fantasy Football Calculator has him going late in the third in mocks for 12-team leagues the last few days - he's been moving up lately.

I think the biggest concerns with him are that he does something stupid (and he does a lot of stupid things), that McFadden somehow gets healthy and looks like his old self, or that his small sample size is misleading about how good he can be and the Cowboys are saying they're high on him to save face because they kind of whiffed on RBs.

Personally I have him higher than the 18th RB - but not quite top-12 because of those same questions. There are still a dozen safer high-level bets out there.