2017 Rookie Fantasy Impact: Running Backs

With the NFL draft behind us, it is now time to turn our attention to the upcoming fantasy football season. In the near future, many leagues will start drafting in their rookie, dynasty and redraft leagues. We rank the top rookies from each skill position (RB, WR, TE, QB) and give brief synopsis of how they should be viewed heading into your drafts. Rookie impacts are generated based on player skill, opportunity, situation and projected team performance. While our rankings below can be used for all formats, we will rank them primarily for the 2017 season and a separate dynasty rankings will soon follow.

Leonard Fournette, RB, JAXThe Jacksonville offensive line needs more help (in addition to Branden Albert and Cam Robinson) for him to be the successful player many believe he should and can be. With the exception of Elliot last year, I don’t recommend drafting a rookie running back early in fantasy drafts, but his talent and the workload he’ll receive for the Jaguars, is enough to have an immediate fantasy impact. Look for him to go in the late 2^nd – early 3^rdrounds of fantasy drafts as an upside RB2.

2. Joe Mixon, RB, CINJoe Mixon enters a crowded backfield with Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard (Coming back from ACL injury), but it shouldn’t be long before he takes over as the team’s top back. Even if and when that happens, he could still lose goal-line work to Hill, so long as he’s still on the roster. Like the Jags, the Bengals need to sure up their offensive line as well, but Mixon has the talent to ascend to the top of the pecking order and become a significant fantasy option. Mixon is worth a late 3^rd round pick.

3. Samaje Perine, RB, WAS

I loved this pick when they made it because Perine can run right through to being the lead guy in this backfield right away. I don’t think Robert Kelley is that good at football and Matt Jones was already benched. He’s one of my favorite rookie running backs for fantasy because of the opportunity and volume he should have behind a great offensive line.

4. Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR

If I knew for sure what his long-term role was going to be, I could’ve had him higher on this list based solely on talent. Jonathan Stewart is still there, though for how long remains to be seen. The versatility of McCaffrey is intriguing and he should get about 15 touches a game combined between the running and receiving. I like McCaffrey’s draft value to be in 5^th rounds of redrafts leagues. (If he happens to have dual eligibility, his value obvious rises) His value will be higher in dynasty leagues.

5. Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN
Cook can do it all on the field and should become a legitimate RB1 for fantasy in the future. His pass catching ability should keep him on the field for all three downs as he progresses. His potential long-term success is high as long he stays out of trouble off the field and stays healthy. Immediately however, he needs to compete with Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon for touches, and deal with a dreadful offensive line. He’s nothing more than an upside RB3 at this point for 2017.

6. Kareem Hunt, RB, KCHunt may have ended up in one of the best situations amongst all the running backs discussed so far. The 3^rd round pick not only is in a running back friendly offense, but he only has mediocre running back Spencer Ware to beat out. While Ware should enter the season as the #1 in KC, it might not be long before Hunt pushes him for touches and takes over the job. He’s worth the selection in the mid rounds of drafts.

7. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO

There may be a lot of guys battling for touches in New Orleans, but Kamara is really talented and his skill set fits in nicely with what New Orleans likes to do on offense. Peterson won’t be much a factor in the second of half of the season and we have to see what they do with Ingram, but a mid-round draft pick (in PPR) for someone who will touch the ball 12 times for the Saints is worth it.

8. D’Onta Foreman, RB, HOU

I like foreman, but I like his landing spot even better. He’s going to have a lot of opportunity to carry the ball, as Lamar Miller showed that he is isn’t effective as an every-down player. The Texans are going to want to control the ball with the running game, having a young quarterback behind center and being a Super Bowl contending team. The opportunity will be there for Foreman, we’ll see if he can take advantage.

9. James Conner, RB, PIT

A lot of buzz during the draft when the Steelers took local Pittsburgh guy James Connor in the 3^rd round. Connor, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma shortly after tearing his MCL just one game into the 2015 season. After declaring that he was cancer-free, Connor came back to rush for 16 TD’s in 2016. With DeAngelo Williams no longer in Pittsburgh, Connor should be the backup for Le’Veon Bell. Bell has a history of injuries, so there is value as handcuff for Connor, and will be taken earlier than expected by Bell owners.

10. Jeremy McNichols, RB, TB

The former wide receiver was beast at Boise State the past two seasons and had a good combine. I thought there was a chance he could’ve sneaked into the 3^rd round of the draft, so I think there’s some value in this pick. Before making a fantasy prediction on this kid, we need to see how things shake out in Tampa Bay with the other running backs currently on the roster. Doug Martin, who had a bad season a year ago and is suspended for the first three games of this season, is still considered the “starter” for the Buccaneers, and there is still Charles Sims, Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber. The organization isn’t going to roster 5 running backs so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. McNichols wouldn’t be a bad late round flier/stash and hope guy on draft day.

11. Jamaal Williams, RB, GB

Williams may go higher than he should in drafts because the Packers drafted him in the 4^th round and are currently using a wide receiver as their lead back. However, Ty Montgomery did a decent job and they also drafted running backs Aaron Jones and Devante Mays in the later rounds as well. Montgomery is still going to be the lead back and should improve, with an off-season and training camp to prepare, but Williams has a chance to win the backup role and could find himself getting opportunities near the goal line.

12. Joe Williams, RB, SF

For now, the 49er backfield is very crowded with Carlos Hyde, Kapri Bibbs, and Kyle Juszczyk already there, so it will be interesting to see how they use the 4^th round pick in training camp. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan likes him more than General Manager, John Lynch so I assume the usage is going to be in his hands. He does flash great athleticism but his going to have to earn his role. If he ends up making the squad, he may be worth a flier in the back end of drafts. One other player to also keep an eye on in SF, is undrafted free agent Matt Brieda out of Georgia Southern.

13. Wayne Gallman, RB, NYG

The running back position was an area of need for the Giants, so I’m a little surprised they waited until the 4^th round to get one. Gallman is a nice player and one that could be used near the goal-line and third and short situations. Head Coach Ben McAdoo already anointed Paul Perkin, so Gallman will see most of his work as a rotational player.

14. Elijah McGuire, RB, NYJ

McGuire is more of a pass-catching type running back that draws comparisons to Bilal Powell. Since the Jets already have Powell and Matt Forte, who also excels in the passing game, it’s curious as to why he ended up with the Jets. The Jets have said numerous times that they want to build trough the draft and will be looking to see how the young kids progress. Comments like that indicate that Powell and or Forte could be on the move at some point during the pre-season or trade deadline. In that instance, McGuire is someone that could see the field and perhaps even have some value in PPR leagues. Keep in mind that new Jets Offensive Coordinator is from the Saints and we know how they like to get their running backs involved in the passing game.

15. Marlon Mack, RB, IND

I really thought the Colts would be taking a running back much earlier in the draft and was shocked they left Dalvin Cook on the board in the first round. Even though he about 75 years old, Frank Gore is still there and they must be happy with Robert Turbin as his backup. Unless there’s an injury to Gore or Turbin, Mack should be left on wire for your draft. He could be someone we talk more about after the season, but he’s nothing to get excited about.

16. Aaron Jones, RB, GB

17. Tarik Cohen, RB, CHI