2019 Dynasty Rookie Running Back Reviews
The NFL has seen a sharp decline in the number of three-down backs taking the lion’s share of the backfield, essentially devaluing the position. In turn, teams have built “running back by committees” or RBBC’s to spend less money and still see a valuable impact on the field. In dynasty football leagues, this increases the value of the true workhorses like Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley. It also helps niche backs that can contribute in a “high floor” type of role, like James White and Tarik Cohen, who are their teams receiving backs. How did the 2019 NFL Draft class impact the dynasty landscape? Let’s take a look at the 2019 RB Draft class and how they performed last season.
Dynasty Rankings | QB | RB |WR | TE | Rookies |
Dynasty Running Back Studs
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders, 1.24
13 Games played: 242 carries, 1,150 rush yards, seven rushing TDs, 27 targets, 20 receptions, 166 receiving yards
Jacobs was the lone running back selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He produced in a significant way, garnering Rookie of the Year consideration before his season was prematurely ended due to injury. Jacobs lacked a bit in the receiving game, but head coach Jon Gruden has been adamant about getting Jacobs more involved in the passing game. As the Raiders continue to grow under their new head coach, I expect Jacobs to be locked in as a perennial top-15 RB for fantasy purposes.
2020 Outlook: Stud
Beyond: Elite Asset
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles, 2.53
16 Games played: 179 carries, 818 rush yards, three rushing TDs, 63 targets, 50 receptions, 509 receiving yards, three receiving TDs
Sanders is a more divisive player than Jacobs and some analysts had Sanders as the RB1 from this class looking back. He was the only back to hit 500 yards rushing and receiving, providing a safe floor for the Eagles RB. Sanders came on strong in the second half of the season, seeing his first snap share of greater than 54% in week 11, and finished the season averaging over 17 PPR points per game from week 11 to week 17. If this is the Miles Sanders, we will get in 2020 and beyond, we may have a top-15 RB here.
My concern with Sanders is the talent at WR in Philadelphia. Was a depleted WR room the reason the Eagles relied so heavily on Sanders or was it his talent?
2020 Outlook: Top 24 Dynasty Running Back
Beyond: Solid fantasy starter
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears, 3.73
16 Games played: 242 carries, 889 rush yards, six rushing TDs, 35 targets, 25 receptions, 185 receiving yards, one receiving TD
The “RB Frankenstein” from Iowa State fell flat in the 2019 Bears offense. Coming off of a 2018 Coach of the Year nod, head coach Matt Nagy led a putrid attack in 2019, and Montgomery suffered the most. Montgomery has proven solid receiving chops, and Nagy needs to get Montgomery more involved in the air attack in 2020. The aforementioned Tarik Cohen caps Montgomery’s receiving upside, and this is a valid concern. Montgomery nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in 2019, and if he can get closer to 50 receptions and 500 yards receiving in 2020, he may live up to his lofty comparisons.
2020 Outlook: Top 24 Running Back
Beyond: Potential Elite Asset
The Potential Workhorses
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills, 3.74
12 Games played: 151 carries, 775 rush yards, two rushing TDs, 41 targets, 29 receptions, 194 receiving yards, two receiving TDs
Singletary dealt with a poor combine last offseason and his rookie draft ADP plummeted. Those who selected Singletary in the second round of their rookie drafts were very happy with the production of the Florida Atlantic product. The biggest concern with Singletary was his receiving ability, and he put those questions to rest with his 2019 performance. Frank Gore will not return to Buffalo, but I expect the Bills to be active in acquiring another RB to pair with Singletary this offseason via the draft or free agency. This might cap his upside a bit.
2020 Outlook: Top 24 Running Back
Beyond: Potential Perennial Top 24 RB
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings, 3.102
13 Games played: 100 carries, 462 rush yards, one rushing TD, 12 targets, ten receptions, 82 receiving yards
Mattison is on this list because the Vikings lead back, Dalvin Cook is a workhorse who has dealt with injuries. Mattison popped when called upon in 2019, and if something were to happen to Cook long term, he could provide an excellent floor for fantasy owners.
2020 Outlook: Handcuff
Beyond: Handcuff
Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers, 4.122
13 Games played: 108 carries, 426 rush yards, two rushing TDs, four targets, three receptions, 23 receiving yards
Snell makes this list due to the uncertainty of James Conner. After a huge 2018, Conner fell off in 201
9, opening the door for Snell and Jaylen Samuels to eat into the backfield workload. Pittsburgh is another team that could address RB in the draft or free agency. If they don’t, Snell may be able to seize most of the work in Pittsburgh.
2020 Outlook: RBBC
Beyond: RBBC
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams, 3.70
13 Games played: 39 carries, 147 rush yards, six targets, four receptions, 37 receiving yards
One of last drafts darlings, Henderson fell way below expectations for fantasy owners in 2019.
Henderson struggled to adjust to the Rams offensive scheme, and his receiving numbers were capped by Todd Gurley and the emergence of Tyler Higbee. With the departure of Gurley to the Atlanta Falcons, Henderson should step into a much larger workload. The Rams traded up to get Henderson, and now may be his time to shine. 2019 was a down year for the Rams offense, and I expect them to rebound in 2020, helping drive Henderson’s value up.
2020 Potential Top 24 RB
Beyond: Potential Top 24 RB
High Upside Handcuffs
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens, 4.113
16 Games played: 58 carries, 225 rush yards, two rushing TDs, 15 targets, eight receptions, 70 receiving yards
Buy Justice Hill. It is only a matter of time before Mark Ingram hits a wall, and the Ravens look to move on from the Pro Bowler. The Ravens 2019 rush attack was scary, led by Lamar Jackson’s incredible speed. Insert Hill into that offense, and the speed goes from fast to “don’t blink.”
Hill can take this offense to new heights.
2020 Outlook: RBBC
Beyond: Potential Top 24 RB
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, 4.128
15 Games played: 86 carries, 455 rush yards, two rushing TDs, 20 targets, 15 receptions, 107 receiving yards, one receiving TD
Short and sweet, Pollard is the next man up for the Cowboys should Ezekiel Elliott get hurt. Pollard adds some versatility with his receiving ability and may be more involved in the passing game in 2020.
2020 Outlook: Handcuff
Beyond: Handcuff
Darwin Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs, 6.214
12 Games played: 37 carries, 128 rush yards, one rushing TD, ten targets, nine receptions, 43 receiving yards
Another short write-up: you want to own the RB in Kansas City. Acquire shares of Darwin Thompson. If he’s the guy, you have a decent shot at a top fantasy asset.
2020 Outlook: Handcuff
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Dynasty Running Back Value Stashes
Damien Harris, New England Patriots, 3.87
3 Games played: 4 carries, 12 rush yards
Another riser last offseason, Harris, was never utilized behind Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead. He has the potential to move into the Rex Burkhead role going forward, but as any New England back not named James White, I am skeptical about trusting the system. Harris is worth a stash, just in case.
2020 Outlook: RB Stash
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Bryce Love, Washington Redskins, 4.112
No Games Played
Bryce Love dealt with injury in 2019 and has a shot to be a complimentary piece to Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson in 2020. Love flashed in a major way at Stanford, but is that player gone now?
2020 Outlook: RB Stash
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars, 5.140
16 Games played: 35 carries, 108 rush yards, 24 targets, 14 receptions, 144 receiving yards, two receiving TDs
Another young rookie handcuff, Armstead, showed some receiving chops as Leonard Fournette’s backup. Fournette has had off-field issues and may not be in the Jaguars’ long-term plans. If the Jags move on, Armstead could be inline to see some serious production, at a much lower price than Fournette.
2020 Outlook: Handcuff
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons, 5.152
8 Games played: 22 carries, 50 rush yards, four rushing TDs, two targets, one reception, seven receiving yards
The Atlanta backfield is up in the air as starter Devonta Freeman was cut this offseason. Atlanta also added Todd Gurley to replace Freeman. Even in this scenario, Ollison could push himself to be a valuable handcuff. If nothing happens, Ollison would be a focal point of the Falcons backfield in 2020.
2020 Outlook: Handcuff
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Ty Johnson, Detroit Lions, 6.186
16 Games played: 63 carries, 273 rush yards, 31 targets, 24 receptions, 109 receiving yards
With Kerryon Johnson unable to find a healthy season, Ty Johnson showed flashes in the receiving game. The Lions do not have a clear receiving back outside of Kerryon or Ty Johnson, so Johnson provides a nice receiving floor in the event Kerryon Johnson gets hurt again.
2020 Outlook: RB Stash
Beyond: Potential RBBC
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins, 7.234
7 Games played: 36 carries, 133 rush yards, one rushing TD, 12 targets, seven receptions, 51 receiving yards
Gaskin flashed a bit last season but was unspectacular overall. I absolutely believe that Miami adds a high-end RB to the team, and Gaskin will return to fantasy irrelevance. In case they don’t, I am adding Gaskin for cheap.
2020 Outlook: RB Stash
Beyond: No Need to Roster
No Need to Roster
Jordan Scarlett, Carolina Panthers, 5.154
Trayveon Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, 6.182
Dexter Williams, Green Bay Packers, 6.194
Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks, 6.204
Rodney Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, 6.211
Mike Weber, Dallas Cowboys, 7.218 – Now a Kansas City Chief
Kerrith Whyte, Chicago Bears, 7.222
