Top 3 Rookie Running Back Breakdown

Lacy should help every aspect of the Packers offense

Rookie running backs have the ability to make or break fantasy teams. The running back position is the most important position on a fantasy team. Since many teams have gone to a dual running back system, finding two or three backs who can produce solid numbers is vital.

Being able to pick which rookie running backs are going to have the best season can bring your team a championship. This season there are three rookie running backs that should be on every fantasy owners’ radar.

Le’Veon Bell- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Le’Veon Bell was drafted 48^th overall. The former Michigan State Spartan could not have been drafted to a better team. The Steelers are infamous for their pounding running game. While he has been injured for a majority of the offseason, it did not stop the Steelers from naming him their starting running back in the preseason.

Bell is recovering from a foot injury and has been ruled out for Week 1. Coach Tomlin says he will not play against the Titans due to lack of practice time, not his injury. Bell is the 24^th ranked running back in this year’s fantasy draft and the top ranked rookie running back. When he returns to the starting lineup he will be given every opportunity to be a fantasy power horse.

Eddie Lacy– Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy is the second best rookie running back in this year’s fantasy draft and the 26^th running back overall. Of the top three running backs, Lacy is the only week 1 starter. While reports of him getting overweight in the offseason were concerning at first, it appears that it will only help in, especially in goal line situations.

The Packers’ offense is known for their deadly air attack, which means defenses will have to plan for the pass which should give Lacy plenty of opportunities to pick up yards when he’s handed the ball.

Giovani Bernard– Cincinnati Bengals’ Giovani Bernard currently splits time with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but is taking a majority of the goal line snaps. Throughout the preseason Bernard had three rushing touchdowns, all near the goal line. He is currently listed as the second running back on the depth chart, but it is expected that he will split carries with Green-Ellis, and in the near future will take over the starting role.

Bernard is the 28^th ranked running back in this year’s draft and the third ranked rookie. He will get the overwhelming majority of goal line opportunities giving him significant fantasy value.

Top 3 Rookie Running Back Breakdown

Lacy should help every aspect of the Packers offense

Rookie running backs have the ability to make or break fantasy teams. The running back position is the most important position on a fantasy team. Since many teams have gone to a dual running back system, finding two or three backs who can produce solid numbers is vital.

Being able to pick which rookie running backs are going to have the best season can bring your team a championship. This season there are three rookie running backs that should be on every fantasy owners’ radar.

Le’Veon Bell- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Le’Veon Bell was drafted 48^th overall. The former Michigan State Spartan could not have been drafted to a better team. The Steelers are infamous for their pounding running game. While he has been injured for a majority of the offseason, it did not stop the Steelers from naming him their starting running back in the preseason.

Bell is recovering from a foot injury and has been ruled out for Week 1. Coach Tomlin says he will not play against the Titans due to lack of practice time, not his injury. Bell is the 24^th ranked running back in this year’s fantasy draft and the top ranked rookie running back. When he returns to the starting lineup he will be given every opportunity to be a fantasy power horse.

Eddie Lacy– Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy is the second best rookie running back in this year’s fantasy draft and the 26^th running back overall. Of the top three running backs, Lacy is the only week 1 starter. While reports of him getting overweight in the offseason were concerning at first, it appears that it will only help in, especially in goal line situations.

The Packers’ offense is known for their deadly air attack, which means defenses will have to plan for the pass which should give Lacy plenty of opportunities to pick up yards when he’s handed the ball.

Giovani Bernard– Cincinnati Bengals’ Giovani Bernard currently splits time with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but is taking a majority of the goal line snaps. Throughout the preseason Bernard had three rushing touchdowns, all near the goal line. He is currently listed as the second running back on the depth chart, but it is expected that he will split carries with Green-Ellis, and in the near future will take over the starting role.

Bernard is the 28^th ranked running back in this year’s draft and the third ranked rookie. He will get the overwhelming majority of goal line opportunities giving him significant fantasy value.

3 Players Being Over-Looked Over on Draft Day

The key to winning in fantasy football is drafting well after the first four rounds. After round 4, fantasy football championships are won by finding players who greatly exceed expectations. Both Alfred Morris and Russell Wilson greatly exceeded expectations during the 2012 season. Below are 3 players who are undervalued and could have big years for your team.

DeAndre Hopkins, Houston (ADP – 126)

Currently being drafted as the 45^th ranked fantasy wide receiver on average, DeAndre Hopkins is a highly touted rookie for the Houston Texans. A first round pick, Hopkins will line up next to Andre Johnson as the Texans’ No. 2 wideout.

Although Houston is a run-first team, Matt Schaub may finally have someone else to spread the ball around to with the addition of Hopkins. With unbelievable talent, Hopkins looks poised to outplay his draft-day value.

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay (ADP – 62)

Another highly touted rookie from the 2013 draft class is Eddie Lacy. He’s is in the perfect situation to succeed with the Packers this season.

After DuJuan Harris was placed on IR last week and the Packers cut Alex Green, Lacy now has the Packers’ backfield all to himself. Looking to put an emphasis back on the running game, the Packers should provide Lacy a heavy workload along with goal line work.

Currently being drafted as the 24^th running back on average, Lacy should easily crack the top-20 and has top-15 potential at the position.

TY Hilton, Indianapolis (ADP – 79)

TY Hilton showed incredible growth as the Colts’ No. 2 wide receiver at the end of last year, and it looks as though his success should continue. His chemistry with quarterback, Andrew Luck, is only improving and his skill set fits very well with offensive coordinator, Pep Hamilton’s, west coast offense.

Hilton has had a very impressive preseason and could breakout as one of the NFL’s premier deep threats.

Draft Zone: 9th Ranked Quarterback – Colts Andrew Luck

Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck is the 9th ranked quarterback in this year’s 2013 fantasy draft standings. With an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 62, he’s likely to be taken sometime in the fifth or sixth round of most fantasy drafts.

Luck had an unbelievable rookie season in 2012 throwing for a record-breaking 4,374 yards and 23 touchdowns. With changes to last year’s offensive scheme, it’s a major question of whether or not Luck can repeat his incredible fantasy numbers.

Last season, the young QB relied heavily on deep throws down the field. Former coach Bruce Arians’ offense attempted more passes of 20 yards or more than any other offense in the NFL. This allowed Luck to rack up sky-high yardage numbers. In turn, this also forced him to throw a miserable 18 interceptions, and record a completion percentage of just 54.1%.

As new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton implements his offense in Indianapolis, the team will likely rely on a more efficient, short passing attack to march down the field. As a result of this, Luck’s numbers may change for both the better and the worse.

For one thing, it’s possible that there could be a considerable drop off in yards, due to many less attempts down the field. The team will still focus a great deal on passing, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Luck record around 4,000 yards again. However, his amazing 4,300 yards from last year may be just out of reach.

Luck’s fantasy value may not improve much from last season, but it also may not decrease either. All things considered, he’s definitely a startable quarterback option. If you draft him, just try and find a solid backup to take in the later rounds as a safety net, like Josh Freeman or Carson Palmer.

Colts T.Y. Hilton on Fast Track to a Starting Job

After the first week of preseason action, there is no one generating more buzz than Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton. Currently the team’s third wide receiver, Hilton is having a tremendous camp and seems poised to win the starting job over number two wideout, Darrius Heyward-Bey, after shining in the Colts’ first preseason game on Sunday.

Labeled as a “freak” by head coach Chuck Pagano, Hilton was just that against the Bills on Sunday afternoon. Hilton finished the game with 3 catches for 61 yards, including a 45 yard touchdown reception from Matt Hasselbeck. While his touchdown came from the Colts backup quarterback, Hilton’s growing relationship with starter Andrew Luck was on display as they hooked up for two quick passes as well.

This year, Hilton is looking to build on his successful rookie campaign where he brought in 50 receptions for 861 yards and 7 touchdowns even with limited action in the team’s first 8 games. Hilton especially shined during his last 7 games, posting more yards and touchdowns than any other Colts player including fantasy stud, Reggie Wayne.

With more time to understand the Colts’ offense and more time to establish chemistry with quarterback, Andrew Luck, Hilton seems ready to standout for the Colts in 2013. Hilton is currently going off draft boards as the 31^st ranked wide receiver with an ADP of 84, but his stock will rise if he can win a starting spot – which seems very likely at this point.

Hilton should be considered a WR3, but clearly has tremendous upside and top-15 fantasy potential at his position. A speedster with a penchant for the big play (13 catches of 20+ yards last season), Hilton can easily put up Mike Wallace-like numbers for the Colts this year, so don’t let T.Y. Hilton blow by you in fantasy drafts this year.