Let’s take a look at some of the most underrated and overrated RBs heading into Sunday’s games, based on FantasyPros’ collection of 122 experts:
Underrated:
(1) LeGarrette Blount (17th ranked RB) has been worthless from a fantasy perspective for the past two weeks. But remember that this rut began after enjoying back-to-back RB1 / high-RB2 performances. He’s a bust-out waiting to happen, and facing a pretty bad Eagles run D, the Patriots should once again feed Blount 20+ touches for 90+ yards and a score.
(2) Will next week be the week experts come around on C.J. Anderson (#18 RB)? He’s been ready to pop for a while—a reward for patient managers who recall that last year he was virtually a non-factor before exploding onto the scene in Week 11 and amassing 900+ yards and nine TDs the rest of the way. Facing a very beatable Chargers D, expect Blount-like numbers, providing owners with RB1 production.
(3) Miami’s offensive coordinator is gone. Just as we saw after head coach Joe Philbin was canned in October, the Dolphins’ abandoned running game should resurface on Sunday. And Lamar Miller (#19 RB) stands to gain the most, despite pressure from upstart Jay Ajayi. Miller has earned an embarrassingly low 17 touches—total—in the past two weeks. Frankly, the Dolphins need to fire every offensive coach and start over, and keep firing coaches until one of them puts in motion a game plan that features last year’s most efficient starting RB. Miller is a must-start high-end RB with solid RB1 upside, with the expectation that the remaining ‘Fins coaching staff will wake up.
Overrated:
(1) I talked about Todd Gurley (#8 RB) earlier this week. Is his declining production due to hitting a physical rookie wall? Defenses adjusting? Playing on an otherwise awful offensive team? Yes, he’s the Rams’ prime option near the goal line, making him a must-start RB every week. But the risk of starting him has increased since early November, and he’ll now face the league’s third toughest run D (the Cardinals). He’ll finish outside the top 12, accumulating less than 13 points.
(2) For those keeping score, Darren McFadden (#10 RB) hasn’t found pay dirt in six games. He has a very favorable matchup against the Redskins, but for the umpteenth time, he’s too risky for me. The Cowboys’ offense took a huge hit when Tony Romo got knocked out again last Thursday. While the team might lean heavily on DMC, I’m anticipating numbers outside the top 18 RBs—somewhere around 22 touches for 81 yards.
(3) Javorius Allen (#12 RB) racked up 84 total yards and a TD last week on 16 touches. But his biggest hindrance to replicating those numbers in Week 13 will be his matchup (a Dolphins D that will well outperform expectations) and role (Terrance West isn’t going away). Allen isn’t an RB1, period. Expect numbers outside the top 20.
Underrated:
(1) LeGarrette Blount (17th ranked RB) has been worthless from a fantasy perspective for the past two weeks. But remember that this rut began after enjoying back-to-back RB1 / high-RB2 performances. He’s a bust-out waiting to happen, and facing a pretty bad Eagles run D, the Patriots should once again feed Blount 20+ touches for 90+ yards and a score.
(2) Will next week be the week experts come around on C.J. Anderson (#18 RB)? He’s been ready to pop for a while—a reward for patient managers who recall that last year he was virtually a non-factor before exploding onto the scene in Week 11 and amassing 900+ yards and nine TDs the rest of the way. Facing a very beatable Chargers D, expect Blount-like numbers, providing owners with RB1 production.
(3) Miami’s offensive coordinator is gone. Just as we saw after head coach Joe Philbin was canned in October, the Dolphins’ abandoned running game should resurface on Sunday. And Lamar Miller (#19 RB) stands to gain the most, despite pressure from upstart Jay Ajayi. Miller has earned an embarrassingly low 17 touches—total—in the past two weeks. Frankly, the Dolphins need to fire every offensive coach and start over, and keep firing coaches until one of them puts in motion a game plan that features last year’s most efficient starting RB. Miller is a must-start high-end RB with solid RB1 upside, with the expectation that the remaining ‘Fins coaching staff will wake up.
Overrated:
(1) I talked about Todd Gurley (#8 RB) earlier this week. Is his declining production due to hitting a physical rookie wall? Defenses adjusting? Playing on an otherwise awful offensive team? Yes, he’s the Rams’ prime option near the goal line, making him a must-start RB every week. But the risk of starting him has increased since early November, and he’ll now face the league’s third toughest run D (the Cardinals). He’ll finish outside the top 12, accumulating less than 13 points.
(2) For those keeping score, Darren McFadden (#10 RB) hasn’t found pay dirt in six games. He has a very favorable matchup against the Redskins, but for the umpteenth time, he’s too risky for me. The Cowboys’ offense took a huge hit when Tony Romo got knocked out again last Thursday. While the team might lean heavily on DMC, I’m anticipating numbers outside the top 18 RBs—somewhere around 22 touches for 81 yards.
(3) Javorius Allen (#12 RB) racked up 84 total yards and a TD last week on 16 touches. But his biggest hindrance to replicating those numbers in Week 13 will be his matchup (a Dolphins D that will well outperform expectations) and role (Terrance West isn’t going away). Allen isn’t an RB1, period. Expect numbers outside the top 20.