Keeper League RB's

[Xponentialchaos]

I'm anticipating that I'm going to be faced with this decision in my keeper league draft, so I would appreciate any input from you folks.

Who do you think will have the most long-term success?

1) Le'Veon Bell
2) Lamar Miller
3) Daryl Richardson
4) Mark Ingram

 

[tlance]

Toss up between Miller and Bell. Bell has the better situation, Miller has more talent. Ingram and Richardson are not on the same level.

 

[wilwhite]

I wouldn't exactly call it a toss-up, but Bell and Miller are the only ones I'd consider. I'd rather have Bell; he'll be in there all the time and will be trusted for short-yardage situations.

 

[Microwahevo]

I don't think Ingram is getting the love he should. I don't see Pierre taking much from him, and he seems to have finally gained the trust of Payton. I wouldn't pencil him in as a #1 fantasy back this year, but if he does well, I can see him being a damn good back in that offense for the next few years.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Miller or Bell. You might still be able to get Ingram or DRich as well with your following pick.

 

[Xponentialchaos]

Thanks guys. I really, really appreciate it.

I originally had Bell as the top ranked guy, but that was before he got hurt. Now I'm starting to think that he's just plain soft and won't be a viable fantasy running back. But he's still young, so who knows. Since Bell's injury, Miller has taken my top rank basically by default, but wanted to see what you guys thought.

I also agree with Micro and Smoking about their respective points: I really think Ingram has a lot of upside, and I also think that Ingram and Richardson are flying just under the radar enough that I may be able to scoop one of them up after I take Bell or Miller (probably Miller at this point).

Thanks again.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Hands down Le'Veon Bell... And yes this is from a Pitt fan. (Take it for what its worth LOL)

Bell is operating behind a very young, and very talented offensive line. No, they did not look great last week, but the run blocking is there. The kinks will work themselves out as they gain more experience. 2/5 starting O-lineman are 1st time season starters. They may have started last season down the stretch, but now they have had an entire offseason of practice to gain more experience. They can only get better with time! Should make for a great future! The only concern I would have as a fantasy player, would be his durability. We haven't even started the regular season and he has dealt with 2 separate injuries. A lot of people will wonder if he was all used up in college. But I would still say he has the better chance out of the group. He is in a position group of 3 to 4 "starters" and has already been labeled the clear cut starter when healthy. I say starters with quotes because each 'back on the roster has started an NFL game, so they all have the experience.

Miller is a flash in the pan type of player. Sure he may be fast, but is he dependable? Analysts are already back-peddling their thoughts on the guy. Even the coach is saying the race between Miller & Thomas in the MIA backfield is "Neck and Neck". Thomas has been given a crap ton of chances to prove himself, and all he has ever done was disappoint. If he is having a hard time separating himself from a disappointment like Thomas, then I wouldn't touch him. My guess is MIA invests a high end draft pick on a RB next season.

Ingram is a great RB but is in the wrong system. He would fair better in a system with only one change-of-pace RB. The Saints like to use the RB committee which doesn't give a RB any sort of chance to get comfortable with the offense. For FF, only Sproles is worth the grab out of the Saints RB's.

Richardson is my wildcard here. I think he has tremendous upside with the O-line that has been put into place. The acquisition of Long will drastically improve the run game. The only problem I have with the kid is he is small. And I don't mean small as in just short, but he doesn't have much bulk. He reminds me of Alex Green for GB. If his O-line is at the top of the league, then he is definitely a great sleeper! I had higher hopes for Isaiah Pead, but he hasn't been able to prove himself yet. Something to keep a close eye on if you roll the dice on Richardson.

 

[TK21775]

Depends on how deep your bench is but for me I'm targeting Miller and then hoping Bell falls back with his injury that I'll be able to grab him later on and stash him on the bench until he's healthy.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

The kinks will work themselves out as they gain more experience. 2/5 starting
O-lineman are 1st time season starters. They may have started last season down
the stretch, but now they have had an entire offseason of practice to gain more
experience

Inexperienced, young offensive line.....I'll go ahead and pass on Steeler RBs until that line shows something. does PIT have anything past their starters on OLine? last year PIT showed me what the Rams have dealt with for years - OLine injuries/inexperienced = crap offense. A lot of pressure on BigBen to do his thing this year, or it may be time to start the look for a new QB.

 

[Xponentialchaos]

Face, thanks for the different perspective. I think it's a fair assessment to say that based on what we've seen, Lamar Miller isn't very likely to blow us all away and become the next amazing RB. But I do think we will see decent, respectable numbers out of him before he is eventually replaced.

That's a great point about PIT's offensive line. My issue is with Bell, himself.

1) As you mentioned, he has already had 2 separate injuries, so his durability is definitely in question right now.
2) In the little time that we have seen him play, he has not done anything to inspire hope.
3) The fact that this is happening in his rookie year concerns me. This is definitely going to impede his progress transitioning to the NFL.

With that said, I agree with you about him having the better opportunity to succeed. I'm still leaning toward Miller, but I appreciate your valid points.

TK, my bench is fine, but I'd rather not get into the unnecessary specifics. I'm just going to keep it simple and say that I want the guy who is going to have the better career because I'm in this league for the long haul, not just this year. With this being a keeper league, I have a pretty good feeling that Miller and Bell get taken in the same round.

 

[Xponentialchaos]

Hmmm, thinking about it more, some teams in my league are going to be pressed for RB's that can contribute right away...so it just might work out that Bell slips to the next round anyway. All signs are pointing to Miller.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

1) As you mentioned, he has already had 2 separate injuries, so his durability
is definitely in question right now.
2) In the little time that we have seen
him play, he has not done anything to inspire hope.
3) The fact that this is
happening in his rookie year concerns me. This is definitely going to impede
his progress transitioning to the NFL.

Don't forget that there are some RBs out there that started their careers off banged up or "injury prone" as they entered the league, going on to be great. Wasn't Priest Holmes constantly battling injuries in BAL before going to KC? Foster wasn't even drafted, largely due to injury concerns and lack of explosiveness.

Some guys just need a couple seasons to acclimated to the NFL. Not trying to push your decision one way or another, but just want to make sure you don't close any doors too early.

 

[TK21775]

Face, thanks for the different perspective. I think it's a fair assessment to say that based on what we've seen, Lamar Miller isn't very likely to blow us all away and become the next amazing RB. But I do think we will see decent, respectable numbers out of him before he is eventually replaced.

That's a great point about PIT's offensive line. My issue is with Bell, himself.

1) As you mentioned, he has already had 2 separate injuries, so his durability is definitely in question right now.
2) In the little time that we have seen him play, he has not done anything to inspire hope.
3) The fact that this is happening in his rookie year concerns me. This is definitely going to impede his progress transitioning to the NFL.

With that said, I agree with you about him having the better opportunity to succeed. I'm still leaning toward Miller, but I appreciate your valid points.

TK, my bench is fine, but I'd rather not get into the unnecessary specifics. I'm just going to keep it simple and say that I want the guy who is going to have the better career because I'm in this league for the long haul, not just this year. With this being a keeper league, I have a pretty good feeling that Miller and Bell get taken in the same round.

I was talking more about how many spots your bench holds, not necessarily the depth. Some of my teams only have 5 spots for bench while others have 8. With the 8 bench team I'll take a chance on an injured player if I can get them later (Percy Harvin perhaps this year) on the chance they'll be back healthy next season.

 

[Xponentialchaos]

Smoking, good point. Thanks.

TK, oh I see. We have a large bench, so it's not a big issue to pick up an injured player and let him sit there.

 

[TK21775]

Smoking, good point. Thanks.

TK, oh I see. We have a large bench, so it's not a big issue to pick up an injured player and let him sit there.

If it's a deep bench I'd go for Miller then and try and grab Bell later on and stash him until he's healthy