The NFL season has arrived. Week 1 starts on Thursday with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Chicago Bears. The last round of fantasy football 2019 drafts are here. Given recent NFL offseason developments, here are three running backs to avoid in fantasy football at their current ADPs.
Three Running Backs to Avoid for Fantasy Football 2019
Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
2019’s breakout star for the Kansas City Chiefs is currently being drafted at 18th overall. He broke out in the last half of the season after the Chiefs cut Kareem Hunt. All signs this offseason pointed to him assuming a workhorse role in the most potent NFL offense.
However, rookie Darwin Thompson has recently garnered some hype as a change-of-pace back with potential for a lot of touches. To add another complication, Kansas City added LeSean McCoy, who has serious rapport with Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
All of a sudden, this is a crowded backfield. Reid loved McCoy in Philadelphia, and he offers a lot as a receiving back for Patrick Mahomes to utilize as a security blanket.
Williams is no longer a guarantee for 15-20 touches a game. If you’re drafting a running back in the second round, you’re going to want one with a lot of volume. It could be better to look a different direction this year.
Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos
Lindsay became a fantasy darling last season, coming out of nowhere to post over 1000 rushing yards with 5.4 yards-per-carry. He firmly supplanted fellow rookie Royce Freeman as the back to own in Denver last year, but that could change this season.
The Broncos want to get Freeman more involved this season. They spent a third-round pick on him in 2018, and he flashed as a runner his rookie season, though Lindsay operated as somewhat of a workhorse.
Lindsay has a small frame for a workhorse back, and all signs point to Denver employing both backs in a 60-40 or even 50-50 split. Lindsay does offer more as a receiving back, but it may not be enough to live up to his ADP.
His current ADP rests at 47 overall, at the back end of the fourth round in 12 team leagues. There is no questioning Lindsay’s talent as a runner, but the opportunity for him may be too little considering his ADP.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have had a rough couple of weeks. Andrew Luck retired out of the blue in the preseason, leaving them with Jacoby Brissett as their de-facto starting quarterback.
One person who may be slightly affected by Luck’s retirement is Marlon Mack. He benefitted last season from being part of an offensive machine, allowing for plenty of touches all over the field. If they struggle to move the ball at all, Mack could cede touches to Nyheim Hines, who is a better receiving back.
Mack’s injury history is also a concern. He lived on the injury report last season, though he still played 10 games.
Mack is being drafted at 41 right now, in the same range as Derrick Henry and Tevin Coleman. Given his current situation, either of those backs may be a better bet than Mack.
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