Dynasty League Football Forum

Who are peoples favourite high upside (relatively) cheap running back? I'm thinking guys who are an injury/starters failure away from being a stand out performer. Or just under the radar unglamorous starters..

With the apparently strength of next years class, i'm feeling 1 year rentals/upside plays are the way to go to fill any running back holes this year, rather than investing capital in the offseason.

I'm in a similar situation, I loaded up on 17-1st RD picks + have since traded away Murray from the roster below...

To name a few of the RBs I've considered for this season...

DET Theo Riddick
SD Danny Woodhead
KC Spencer Ware
NYJ Bilal Powell
PIT DeAngello Williams

ROOKIES:
IND Josh Ferguson
MIA Kenyan Drake
OAK DeAndre Washington

I tend to go after older players people think are rubbish instead of 2nd string/youth players at RB. Your opponents are generally smart enough these days to bake value in when going for people like that.

There's very little value in the RB to be honest - because everyone knows so much about it.

My suggestions:

Rashad Jennings
Frank Gore
Darren Sproles
Demarco Murray
Isiaiah Crowell
Karlos WIlliams
Ronnie Hillman
Tim Hightower
Buck Allen

Some will be busts of course but I'd rather pay for good players that people think will fall away than bad players people think might get good. There is an inherent bias towards youth and potential in the dynasty world. The value [if there is any] is betting on the status quo.

TomK27 wrote:I tend to go after older players people think are rubbish instead of 2nd string/youth players at RB. Your opponents are generally smart enough these days to bake value in when going for people like that.

There's very little value in the RB to be honest - because everyone knows so much about it.

My suggestions:

Rashad Jennings
Frank Gore
Darren Sproles
Demarco Murray
Isiaiah Crowell
Karlos WIlliams
Ronnie Hillman
Tim Hightower
Buck Allen

Some will be busts of course but I'd rather pay for good players that people think will fall away than bad players people think might get good. There is an inherent bias towards youth and potential in the dynasty world. The value [if there is any] is betting on the status quo.

This is a solid approach, as well. I think it depends a bit on the league your in; Obviously, standard vs ppr, how many RBs to start, etc but ALSO in my league - owners seem to hold more value with guys like Gore/Sproles/Crowell because they are known commodities especially in Gore's case as he hasn't missed a game in 5 years...over the younger unproven 2nd or 3rd RB.

Needless to say, think we've compiled a solid list of cheap RBs. Would be interested to see if anyone else throws some names on the list!

I own a ton of cheap RBs, as I don't own a single blue chip. I like Rashad Jennings from the above list and wish I could get him.

Here's my additions:
Alex Collins (most underrated back in class)
Jerrick McKinnon
Bishop Sankey (could be waived or traded)
Stevan Ridley
Theo Riddick
Alf Morris

McKinnon is a good one - but may not be as cheap as you think. It seems many McKinnon owners out there are expecting AP to slow down very soon. With the recent news out that the Vikings will run more offense out of the gun; that bodes better for McKinnon than AP.

I basically go for RBs who could be involved in the passing game and are an injury away from a huge role. Guys like Sims, Woodhead, DWill, etc.

Surprised one of my favorites hasn't been mentioned yet - Ryan Mathews. I got him for moving down from 1.11 to 2.06 in one league (although cap was a consideration for the seller).

I think Arian Foster is essentially free and could be a PPR RB2 this year.

I also strongly agree with Frank Gore, and stashing Ferguson. The Colts offense has enough potential that it's worth 2 roster spots for me.

Jonathan Stewart, and Chris Ivory are worth mentioning.

You cant get much cheaper for a lead back on a good team when you look at JStew.

Ivory has the potential to take over that backfield, or at least steal all the touchdowns. Really he seems to play better in a 1-2 punch anyway.

I would add Charles Sims to undervalued list.

Khiry Robinson. Matt Forte turns 31 on December 10th, at which point his legs will literally fall off and Khiry will be playoff gold.

I think DeMarco Murray would have to be the best value of 2016 projected workload vs. cost.

Surprised Justin Forsett hasn't made this list yet

Forsett - Going to be the starter, which is an automatic win right away. Most upside/cheap plays are backups. Played well last year despite the mess Baltimore was. Trestman is his coordinator.

Alfred Morris - Zeke is going to get a massive workload. Highly likely he could get banged up at some point.

Bilal Powell - Played really well last year. Nobody is drafting him. Not necessarily expecting Forte to fall off a cliff but I wouldn't be surprised.

Chris Johnson - We don't know if David can keep up that late year pace or handle a lot of volume. CJ ran well last year. Would be productive if DJ went down or sucked.

DeAngelo Williams - Obvious.

Shaun Draughn - Could realistically carve out PPR role anyways and get 7-10 carries in Kelly's offense but if Hyde gets hurt I'd expect Draughn to take over as lead back ahead of the youngsters.

McCoy
Hill
Abdullah
DMurray
MGordon
Forsett
Gore
Lacy (in some leagues anyway)
maybe Duke

I don't think he'll be a long-term workhorse, but it's hard to ignore the easy path of relevance that Wendell Smallwood has in front of him with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.