Rookie RB Takeaways

[DonJulio]

2016 has been a year full of action from rookie running backs. With so many players getting shots at significant playing time, we've been able to see quite a bit of action from each of these guys. Names like Jordan Howard, Devontae Booker, Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliot, Kenneth Dixon, C.J. Prosise, Wendell Smallwood, Paul Perkins, DeAndre Washington, Dwayne Washington all ring a bell, and might have bright futures ahead of them.

How do you see them folding out next year? How would you rank their long term dynasty stock? (For example, Derrick Henry will still have the added competition from DeMarco Murray and likely be outside of the top 5 2nd year RBs in 2017, but IMO has the best long-term outlook behind Zeke).

I personally see it like this:
1) Zeke (The real deal - has the will to win, pass blocking, highlight moves, hard hitting, receiving skills, lets blocks developer. You know this and don't need to be sold on him. He's 21 years old and will likely be the top RB in all of dynasty after this year)
2) Jordan Howard (Love this guy. Very impressive in all aspects of his game, 5.1 YPC and no competition - could improve pass catching)
3) Henry (Again, competition from Murray is the biggest factor. It might surprise some that he's averaging 4.5 YPC to Murray's 4.6)
4) Robert Kelley (Hell yeah he's #4 on my list. If you're not sold on his talent, then consider these things: WAS has a top 5 OL, coaching staff is bought in, good team, zero competition aside from 3rd down back Thompson, team has other needs in draft)
5) CJ Prosise (Rawls is a bigger factor than most people are willing to accept - CJP might not be a bell cow back, but has tremendous upside)
6) Devontae Booker (Has slowed down BIG time - averaging an awful 2.65 YPC since week 8. CJA might have appeared to be losing the job, but I'm confident he retakes it. If he finishes 2016 strong, the long term appeal could be there)
7) Kenneth DIxon / Wendell Smallwood (Limited sample size, so don't have much of a take here. More likely than not to lead RBBC in 2017)
9) DeAndre Washington (Red Raider & Oakland Raider - 4.8 YPC with 60+ attempts... Latavius Murray will be an UFA in 2017 - he could share backfield with Richard in 2017)
10) Jalen Richard (More yards than DeAndre Washington as of Week 13, 5.6 YPC *even w/o long rush of 75 yards, he'd be at 4.4 YPC* - good situation on a good team)
11) Paul Perkins / Kenyan Drake / Jonathan WIlliams (take your pick)
14) Alex Collins / Darius Jackson (Opportunity isn't there, but talent is. They could get their shot eventually)
16) Dwayne Washington / Daniel Lasco / Keith Marshall / (move along)

[schiewerma21]

Absolutely zero interest in anyone outside of zeke Henry and Howard. In that order.


Everyone else should get replaced this offseason

[maxhyde]

I like them in a different order but i think you have hit the big ones.
Elliott- do i need to say why?
Henry-i rarely downgrade guys for competition that is nfl star caliber
Procise-injuries have been a concern but looks pretty good when out there
Howard- has impressed in a tough situation
Booker-has to make some adjustments but feel like he can
Dixon- no opportunity but if the ravens are out of the playoff picture i expect workload to tilt strongly in his favor

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[Payton34]

Conventional wisdom in the D.C. area says Kelly is simply Matt Jones who doesn't fumble and isn't afraid of contact...

No special "talent" really... I'd be shocked if Washington didn't take advantage of this upcoming RB class to get their guy.

Other than that? Your list is fine. I have it.

Elliott
Howard
Prosise
Henry
Booker
Dixon

Going forward

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[Pac_Eddy]

Absolutely zero interest in anyone outside of zeke Henry and Howard. In that order.


Everyone else should get replaced this offseason

I agree somewhat. Those three are solid and the rest are role players, all likely to be the number two to a different back. I do have some interest in them. You just have to understand their ceiling.

[eraldo_coil]

Absolutely zero interest in anyone outside of zeke Henry and Howard. In that order.


Everyone else should get replaced this offseason

I don't think Dixon, Booker, or Prosise will get "replaced" as I think those three will definitely have some sort of role in 2017 (especially Dixon) but outside of that I agree with you that the rest can be basically ignored for the near future.

[amazehayes]

Yeah Robert Kelley is really not as good as people make him out to be. Same with Booker. I think Dixon will be the future guy of that organization because West is in the same boat... not that good