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Top 10 Rookie Running Backs For 2016 (How Do Things Fall Behind Ezekiel Elliott)

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by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

You don’t need to be an early round draft pick in order to be a productive running back.  That’s a lesson we’ve all learned by now, with opportunity often being the biggest key.  Which rookies have the highest upside for the 2016 season?  Let’s take a look:

1) Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys
Is there any doubt who the top rookie running back is going to be at year’s end?  Selected fourth overall, Elliott steps into an offense with one of the best offensive lines in the game and a passing game that defenses need to pay attention to (as long as everyone can stay healthy).  Remember Darren McFadden topped 1,000 yards in 2015 and DeMarco Murray ripped off 1,845 yards in 2014 in this offense.  Don’t be surprised to see Elliot emerge as one of the elite runners in the game.

2) Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans
If he wasn’t sharing the backfield with Demarco Murray he’d likely be well ahead of the rest of the field.  Of course Murray has only once played all 16 games and struggled mightily in his lone season in Philadelphia last year (3.6 yards/carry).  You can easily argue that he simply wasn’t a fit, but is it really unthinkable that Henry ultimately assumes lead back duties?  Regardless, this appears primed to be a run based offense and there should be more than enough carries to go around.

3) Keith Marshall – Washington Redskins
Does anyone really have faith in Matt Jones as the “lead” runner?  We already discussed him as a potential bust (click here for the article) and Chris Thompson is receiving option and little else.  That should lead to ample opportunities for Marshall, who could prove to be the most explosive running back in Washington.

4) Kenneth Dixon – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have alternatives in the backfield, from Justin Forsett to Javorius Allen to Terrence West.  That said, it could ultimately be the rookie who outperforms them all.  He ran the ball well in the first preseason game (including a 19-yarder) and proved capable of both running and catching the football over his college career.  Consider him the primary handcuff to Forsett and the most likely running back to rise to the top of the depth chart.

5) DeAndre Washington – Oakland Raiders
The Raiders talked all offseason about finding a compliment to Latavius Murray, but all they came away with was Washington (a fifth round draft pick).  At 5’8” it’s hard to imagine him pushing Murray for early down work, though he’s proven he can catch the football and could be an ideal change of pace/third down runner.  In an emerging offense that’s going to be a very productive role.

6) Jordan Howard – Chicago Bears
Jeremy Langford had the opportunity to claim the 2016 lead back duties during an extended look in 2015 (148 carries), but the former fourth round selection (2015) failed to impress to the tune of a 3.6 YPC.  That led to the selection of Howard, though he clearly has not impressed thus far (he was fourth on the depth chart in the opening preseason game, playing behind castoffs Jacquizz Rodgers and Ka’Deem Carey).  There’s reason to take the gamble, but you need to be cautious.

7) C.J. Prosise – Seattle Seahawks
A former wide receiver, Prosise showed how productive he could be as a runner and may have been ranked even higher if he hadn’t battled a hamstring injury in the preseason.  That said, while Thomas Rawls should open the year as the starter, he too is working his way back from injury so there could still be an opportunity.

8) Devonta Booker – Denver Broncos
Could the fourth rounder overtake Ronnie Hillman to be the primary backup to C.J. Anderson?  That’s what the talk has been, which could be a promising place to be.  It’s not like Hillman hasn’t had ample opportunities to emerge as a viable runner, consistently failing to take advantage of them.

9) Josh Ferguson – Indianapolis Colts
An undrafted rookie, Ferguson is arguably in one of the better situations to produce.  At 33-years old Frank Gore is no guarantee and the Colts have little behind him on the depth chart.  While he didn’t show much in the first preseason game, opportunity is key and there’s little reason to think that Ferguson won’t get his.  For a more in-depth look at Ferguson, who could be a PPR monster, click here.

10) Paul Perkins – New York Giants
There is no questioning the potential of Perkins, the problem is where are the carries/opportunities going to come from?  Ultimately he could replace Rashad Jennings, but that’s certainly not the talk thus far.  Throw in the presence of Shane Vereen for passing down duties and the Giants desire not to employee a three-headed monster once again, and Perkins is more of a name to watch as opposed to one to move on in redraft formats.

Five More To Watch:

  1. Jonathan Williams – Buffalo Bills
  2. Wendell Smallwood – Philadelphia Eagles
  3. Alex Collins – Seattle Seahawks
  4. Kenyan Drake – Miami Dolphins
  5. Tyler Ervin – Houston Texans


Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/football/?p=12763


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