As we reach the midpoint (roughly) of the fantasy regular season, we can't forget about the largely ignored RBs who could play major roles in the fantasy playoffs. For example:
(1) David Johnson -- When Arizona signed Chris Johnson, I wasn't expecting much. So far he's had one fantastic RB1 week, three solid RB2 weeks, and two bad weeks. I'm anticipating more bad than good as the season goes on. The 30-year-old's 4.8 YPC--his best mark since 2009--is unsustainable. Meanwhile, David is unowned in nearly 50% of ESPN leagues and has a much brighter future as a potential franchise RB. I'm anticipating that David--not Chris, and not Andre Ellington--has the best chance to help your team in the fantasy playoffs.
(2) Ameer Abdullah -- Why have I not jumped off his bandwagon? After a promising Week 1 (94 total yards and TD), fumbling issues and a pathetic 2.7 YPC have made the rookie unplayable. But a season-ending injury to complementary back Zach Zenner anda past-his-prime Joique Bell mean Theo Riddick is the only player standing in Abdullah's way. And while Riddick is an RB3/4 flier in PPR leagues, he's primarily relegated to the passing game. I believe Detroit is still all in on Abdullah, and with their season going nowhere, they'll give him more opportunities to develop--and improve--to the point where he's a productive RB3+ during the fantasy playoffs.
(3) Ryan Mathews -- Mathews is a DeMarco Murray injury away from being a weekly RB2+, which is bound to happen again this season. Yet Mathews is sitting on waivers in more than 36% of ESPN leagues. He's a must-own if you can afford the bench spot.
(4) Matt Jones -- Remember this guy? Fumbling issues have derailed his attempt to unseat Alfred Morris, whose 3.5 YPC should remind everyone that Washington still needs to find a reliable RB. It won't be Morris, and I can't envision it being Chris Thompson. A healthy Jones still has the best chance to take over the Redskins' backfield. He's a fantastic flier if you have room, as his 2-4 team will be looking to the future (i.e. not Morris) by the fantasy playoffs.
(1) David Johnson -- When Arizona signed Chris Johnson, I wasn't expecting much. So far he's had one fantastic RB1 week, three solid RB2 weeks, and two bad weeks. I'm anticipating more bad than good as the season goes on. The 30-year-old's 4.8 YPC--his best mark since 2009--is unsustainable. Meanwhile, David is unowned in nearly 50% of ESPN leagues and has a much brighter future as a potential franchise RB. I'm anticipating that David--not Chris, and not Andre Ellington--has the best chance to help your team in the fantasy playoffs.
(2) Ameer Abdullah -- Why have I not jumped off his bandwagon? After a promising Week 1 (94 total yards and TD), fumbling issues and a pathetic 2.7 YPC have made the rookie unplayable. But a season-ending injury to complementary back Zach Zenner anda past-his-prime Joique Bell mean Theo Riddick is the only player standing in Abdullah's way. And while Riddick is an RB3/4 flier in PPR leagues, he's primarily relegated to the passing game. I believe Detroit is still all in on Abdullah, and with their season going nowhere, they'll give him more opportunities to develop--and improve--to the point where he's a productive RB3+ during the fantasy playoffs.
(3) Ryan Mathews -- Mathews is a DeMarco Murray injury away from being a weekly RB2+, which is bound to happen again this season. Yet Mathews is sitting on waivers in more than 36% of ESPN leagues. He's a must-own if you can afford the bench spot.
(4) Matt Jones -- Remember this guy? Fumbling issues have derailed his attempt to unseat Alfred Morris, whose 3.5 YPC should remind everyone that Washington still needs to find a reliable RB. It won't be Morris, and I can't envision it being Chris Thompson. A healthy Jones still has the best chance to take over the Redskins' backfield. He's a fantastic flier if you have room, as his 2-4 team will be looking to the future (i.e. not Morris) by the fantasy playoffs.