Fabiano’s Fantasy Rookie Stories
QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS
Running backs have lengthy been the lifeblood of fantasy soccer. The place has had probably the most attraction within the early rounds of drafts for so long as I can keep in mind, and it’s the one place the place rookies have made the largest statistical affect. Relationship again into the Nineteen Eighties, guys like Eric Dickerson, George Rogers, Marcus Allen, and Roger Craig (amongst others) have come proper into the league and produced strong numbers.
Since 2000, we’ve seen quite a few working backs discover statistical success too. In actual fact, six of the highest 10 rookie working again seasons based mostly on fantasy factors have come within the final 20 years. That listing of proficient runners consists of present fantasy superstars like Saquon Barkley (2018), Ezekiel Elliott (2016), and Alvin Kamara (2017).
This previous season, two of the highest seven working backs, Jonathan Taylor and James Robinson, had been rookies. We additionally noticed different first-yr backs like Antonio Gibson, D’Andre Swift, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, J.Okay. Dobbins, and Cam Akers make some noise within the stat sheets. The 2021 class may not be as deep, however there are many gamers with upside. So, for these followers seeking to get a head begin on doing their due diligence on the place, right here’s my take a look at the highest working backs for 2021.
Notice: Age listed is initially of the 2021 NFL season.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports activities
Travis Etienne, Clemson
- 22 years previous, 5-foot-10, 220 kilos
2020 Stats: (12 video games) 168 carries, 914 yards, 5.4 YPC, 14 touchdowns, 48 catches, 588 yards, 12.3 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 1,520 scrimmage yards
Throughout his time at Clemson, Etienne had an incredible statistical profession that included a pair of seasons with 1,600-plus yards on the bottom. He rushed for 19 or extra touchdowns twice, together with a 2018 marketing campaign that noticed Etienne rush for a bananas 24 touchdowns. He additionally ranked sixth amongst 2020 backs in damaged tackles (25).
Most scouts consider Etienne has the instruments to be a 3-down again on the subsequent degree. Not solely did he compile a 7.2 yards-per-carry common throughout his 4 years with the Tigers, however he additionally proved to be a keen move catcher. Over his remaining 27 video games, he hauled in 85 passes for 1,020 yards and 6 touchdowns. If he can enhance only a bit in move safety, the sky could possibly be the restrict for Etienne as a rookie and past.
Potential locations: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports activities
Najee Harris, Alabama
- 23 years previous, 6-foot-2, 230 kilos
2020 Stats: (13 video games) 251 carries, 1,466 yards, 5.8 YPC, 26 touchdowns, 43 catches, 425 yards, 9.9 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 1,891 scrimmage yards
Harris is the most recent in an extended line of celebrity working backs to come back out of Alabama. He averaged practically six yards per carry in his remaining collegiate season and put up a ridiculous 26 speeding touchdowns. That led the nation. Harris additionally proved he may deal with a featured workload in 2020, seeing 251 carries and practically 300 touches.
Like Etienne, Harris tasks to be a 3-down again on the NFL degree. He does not have prime-finish velocity, however he is a clean runner who may also make some noise as a move-catcher. In actual fact, his 43 receptions this previous season had been a private greatest. Harris additionally ranked third within the nation amongst working backs in damaged tackles and yards after contact. NFL Community draft guru Daniel Jeremiah compares him to Matt Forte.
Potential locations: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Payments, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports activities
Javonte Williams, North Carolina
- 21 years previous, 5-foot-10, 220 kilos
2020 Stats: (11 video games) 157 carries, 1,140 yards, 7.3 YPC, 19 touchdowns, 25 catches, 305 yards, 12.2 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 1,445 scrimmage yards
Williams is coming off a monster remaining season with the Tar Heels, producing over 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns on the bottom whereas averaging greater than seven yards per carry. He labored in a committee throughout his collegiate profession, so he’ll enter the NFL with contemporary legs and the potential to be a 3-down working again.
Williams is a strong runner, as he completed second amongst working backs in yards after contact. He additionally led all runners in damaged tackles with 50 in simply 11 video games. The following-greatest complete was Tank Bigsby’s 36 damaged tackles. Williams can also be robust as a move catcher, and his 25 catches this previous season was a private greatest. He is additionally an excellent move protector, and I would not be shocked if he snuck into the tip of Spherical 1.
Potential locations: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Payments, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Adam Richins/USA TODAY Sports activities
Michael Carter, North Carolina
- 22 years previous, 5-foot-8, 199 kilos
2020 Stats: (11 video games) 145 carries, 1,245 yards, 8.0 YPC, 9 touchdowns, 25 catches, 267 yards, 10.7 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 1,512 scrimmage yards
Carter is not the largest again at 5-foot-8, however that did not cease him from speeding for 1,000+ yards in consecutive seasons at North Carolina. In 2020, he averaged an incredible eight yards per rush. A flexible performer, Carter has caught no less than 21 passes in every of his final three seasons, together with 25 this previous marketing campaign.
Carter ranked fifteenth amongst working backs in yards after contact, and his 113.1 yards per sport averaged was thirteenth on the place. He does not determine to be a featured again on the subsequent degree. Nonetheless, Carter could possibly be an enormous a part of a rotational state of affairs or earn a complementary position due to his elusiveness and versatile ability set. He’s probably a second-day decide and will convey PPR worth in re-drafts and dynasty codecs.
Potential locations: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans
Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports activities
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
- 22 years previous, 5-foot-11, 191 kilos
2019 Stats: (14 video games) 231 carries, 1,459 yards, 6.3 YPC, 13 touchdowns, 51 catches, 610 yards, 12.0 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 2,069 scrimmage yards
Gainwell opted out of the 2020 marketing campaign as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, so he is been making ready for the 2021 NFL Draft. Very like his fellow Tigers alum Antonio Gibson, Gainwell was featured as a working again and receiver in the course of the 2019 marketing campaign. In that position, he developed into fairly a dynamic playmaker for Memphis.
An elusive weapon who brings a stunning quantity of energy for a again of his measurement, Gainwell was additionally lined up within the slot and utilized within the display sport. He performed out of an expansion offense in faculty, so he can have a transition when he enters the NFL. Gainwell is smaller than Gibson, who in the end discovered success as a rookie with the Soccer Crew, so I wouldn’t venture a real featured position. He could possibly be a PPR asset.
Potential locations: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Payments, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
- 22 years previous, 6-foot-0, 208 kilos
2020 Stats: (7 video games) 133 carries, 625 yards, 4.7 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 8 catches, 52 yards, 6.5 YPC, 1 landing, 677 scrimmage yards
Hubbard was a Heisman trophy candidate in 2019 when he racked up 2,094 yards on the bottom and 21 touchdowns for the Cowboys. He additionally led all working backs in yards after contact and complete yards per sport, and he tied for 14th within the nation in damaged tackles. Relatively than go professional, Hubbard determined to return to school in 2020.
That did not work out, as he rushed for a modest 625 yards and noticed his yards-per-rush common decline practically two full yards. He additionally caught simply eight passes on 141 performs, down from the 23 receptions he produced throughout his earlier marketing campaign. A former Canadian monitor star, Hubbard has velocity to burn and is an elusive runner. Go safety is a priority and must be addressed.
Potential locations: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Payments, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports activities
Javian Hawkins, Louisville
2020 Stats: (8 video games) 133 carries, 822 yards, 6.2 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 16 catches, 127 yards, 7.9 YPC, 1 landing, 949 scrimmage yards
Hawkins was a celebrity at Louisville, as he grew to become the primary working again at school historical past to surpass the 1,500 speeding yard mark. That got here in 2019 when Hawkins put up 1,525 yards and 9 touchdowns whereas averaging practically six yards per rush. He performed eight video games in 2020 earlier than opting out as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Hawkins was on tempo for one more massive yr, totaling practically 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. Regardless of the shortened season, he nonetheless completed twenty second amongst working backs in yards after contact and broke 13 tackles. Hawkins completed eighth amongst backs in that stat the earlier season. His measurement will restrict his position within the NFL, and he additionally handled ball safety points as a collegian.
Potential locations: Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kylin Hill, Mississippi State
- 23 years previous, 5-foot-11, 210 kilos
2019 Stats: (13 video games) 242 carries, 1,350 yards, 5.6 YPC, 10 touchdowns, 18 catches, 180 yards, 10.0 YPC, 1 landing, 1,530 scrimmage yards
Hill produced his greatest statistical season with the Bulldogs in 2019 when he totaled over 1,300 speeding yards and 10 touchdowns. He additionally dealt with 260 touches in 13 video games, proving that he may deal with a large workload. He performed in simply three video games this previous season earlier than opting out to deal with making ready for the NFL draft.
Hill ranked tied for ninth amongst runners in damaged tackles in his final full season and was twenty first in yards per sport common and twenty second in yards after contact. Whereas he isn’t a gifted move catcher, Hill isn’t devoid of expertise in that space. The place he does lack is within the velocity division, nevertheless. He’s greatest served in a committee on the subsequent degree.
Potential locations: Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports activities
Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma
- 23 years previous, 6-foot-0, 246 kilos
2020 Stats: (6 video games) 101 carries, 665 yards, 6.6 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 18 catches, 211 yards, 11.7 YPC, 0 touchdowns, 876 scrimmage yards
Stevenson performed in simply 19 video games on the collegiate degree, and he didn’t see an enormous position within the Sooners offense till his remaining season. Throughout that point, he averaged 16.8 carries and three receptions per sport. He performed in simply six contests in 2020 resulting from being suspended for a optimistic THC check earlier than the 2019 Peach Bowl.
Stevenson is a strong, downhill runner who may also give NFL groups an excellent move-catching choice out of the backfield. He doesn’t determine to see a featured position on the subsequent degree, however Stevenson could possibly be part of a committee state of affairs. He’s prone to be a Day 3 choice for a workforce wanting so as to add working again expertise and depth for 2021.
Potential locations: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Sports activities
Trey Sermon, Ohio State
- 22 years previous, 6-foot-1, 215 kilos
2020 Stats: (8 video games) 116 carries, 870 yards, 7.5 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 12 catches, 95 yards, 7.9 YPC, 0 touchdowns, 965 scrimmage yards
Sermon did not publish enormous general numbers in his remaining collegiate season, however he did end robust after splitting the workload with Grasp Teague. In his remaining three video games earlier than being damage within the Nationwide Championship, Sermon recorded a mixed 636 speeding yards and scored three touchdowns on the bottom.
Sermon completed the season ranked tied for tenth in damaged tackles amongst working backs, and he’ll come to the NFL with contemporary legs. Between three seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners and one with the Buckeyes, Sermon by no means had greater than 164 carries. He isn’t going to supply groups on the following degree a lot as a move-catcher, however he could possibly be a bruising a part of a committee state of affairs. He’ll doubtless be a Day 3 choice.
Potential locations: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Payments, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Michael Fabiano is an award-successful fantasy soccer analyst on Sports activities Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports activities Writers Affiliation (FSWA) Corridor of Fame. You possibly can comply with Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all the newest breaking fantasy soccer information and the very best evaluation within the enterprise!
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