Week 1 is the second hardest week to make predictions foe. Week 17 is the hardest. For teams that have clinched a playoff spot but can still move up (a first round bye, home field advantage, etc.), it's anyone's guess if/when they'll rest any of their starters. For eliminated teams, we sometimes see last-minute scratches as teams try to keep an injured starter (maybe playing at 80%) from getting seriously hurt--or benching them after the 1st quarter, which is even worse, because at the opening kickoff we're lured into thinking they'll play the whole game.
Whether you're competing for a fantasy title (and as longtime reader Jason Lammers aptly pointed out this week, if you're playing for a title in Week 17, it's time to change the rules for next season), or for a ton of cash in daily leagues, it doesn't get much better than taking a chance on a bottom-barrel player and striking gold.
With that in mind, here are a few RBs who I think are underrated:
(1) Rashad Jennings (ESPN's 41st ranked RB) -- Jennings is probable; Andre Williams is questionable. The Eagles are reeling; the Giants are peaking. The game is meaningless, but Jennings should get the ball plenty. 18+ touches, 11+ fantasy points.
(2) Knile Davis (ESPN's 55th ranked RB) -- The Chiefs' playoff hopes are slim (latest odds show 33-1). Chase Daniel has replaced an injured Alex Smith at QB. And Jamal Charles is nicked up. When given the chance, Davis often has looked like a future fantasy star. I don't think KC will run Charles into the ground. Looking at 8+ touches for Davis and 10+ fantasy points.
(3) Ronnie Hillman (unranked by ESPN) or Juwan Thompason (ESPN's 56th ranked RB) -- Facing the lowly Raiders, will the Broncos really feed C.J. Anderson throughout the game? Denver should have a comfortable lead by halftime, meaning Hillman (likely) or Thompson (only if Hillman has a setback) should get 10+ touches and 7+ fantasy points.
(4) Khiry Robinson (ESPN's 60th ranked RB) -- In this season's first five games, Robinson played like an RB2/3, netting 8, 1, 6, 9, and 14 fantasy points, respectively. With Pierre Thomas sidelined and the Saints eliminated from the playoffs, I would be shocked if Khiry doesn't get the ball. The team knows what free-agent-to-be Mark Ingram can do. Khiry could surprise a lot of people with 10+ touches and 9+ fantasy points.
Whether you're competing for a fantasy title (and as longtime reader Jason Lammers aptly pointed out this week, if you're playing for a title in Week 17, it's time to change the rules for next season), or for a ton of cash in daily leagues, it doesn't get much better than taking a chance on a bottom-barrel player and striking gold.
With that in mind, here are a few RBs who I think are underrated:
(1) Rashad Jennings (ESPN's 41st ranked RB) -- Jennings is probable; Andre Williams is questionable. The Eagles are reeling; the Giants are peaking. The game is meaningless, but Jennings should get the ball plenty. 18+ touches, 11+ fantasy points.
(2) Knile Davis (ESPN's 55th ranked RB) -- The Chiefs' playoff hopes are slim (latest odds show 33-1). Chase Daniel has replaced an injured Alex Smith at QB. And Jamal Charles is nicked up. When given the chance, Davis often has looked like a future fantasy star. I don't think KC will run Charles into the ground. Looking at 8+ touches for Davis and 10+ fantasy points.
(3) Ronnie Hillman (unranked by ESPN) or Juwan Thompason (ESPN's 56th ranked RB) -- Facing the lowly Raiders, will the Broncos really feed C.J. Anderson throughout the game? Denver should have a comfortable lead by halftime, meaning Hillman (likely) or Thompson (only if Hillman has a setback) should get 10+ touches and 7+ fantasy points.
(4) Khiry Robinson (ESPN's 60th ranked RB) -- In this season's first five games, Robinson played like an RB2/3, netting 8, 1, 6, 9, and 14 fantasy points, respectively. With Pierre Thomas sidelined and the Saints eliminated from the playoffs, I would be shocked if Khiry doesn't get the ball. The team knows what free-agent-to-be Mark Ingram can do. Khiry could surprise a lot of people with 10+ touches and 9+ fantasy points.