Beaver’s 2020 Fantasy Flag Plants: Running Backs
Hello America. Make sure you check out my fantasy quarterback flag plants if you haven’t already. Now it’s on to RB.
Early Rounds: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
This one's real simple.
Every running back, in their first season as the featured back for Andy Reid, has finished as the RB10 or better.
1999 - Duce Staley-RB10
2004 - Brian Westbrook-RB7
2010 - Lesean Mccoy-RB2
2013 - Jamaal Charles-RB1
2017 - Kareem Hunt-RB4
Super Bowl Hero Damien Williams has opted out and it's all systems go for CEH to become the next name on that list.
Edwards-Helaire’s current adp is RB10.
WAKE UP AMERICA! We're drafting this guy at his floor! You’ve been sleepin on my man since June when I was scooping him in the late second of every best ball draft I did. Now D-Will’s out of the picture and you're still in your jammies.
My prophetic love for CEH isn’t just because he's in position to be Andy Reid's newest RB1. I mean don't get me wrong. It feels pretty good and it's always nice to be playing alongside the GOAT quarterback -- that's right I said it. Suck it Brady.
But what it really comes down to is that in my eyes, CEH has a realistic chance to be this year’s fantasy MVP. He was hand picked by Reid and Mahomes in the first round over a slew of running backs that were above Edwards-Helaire on most teams' boards. Kansas City had so many holes they could have filled on defense but instead they took THEIR guy. This is why I've been way ahead of adp. There was a specific plan in place to revolve a good chunk of the best offense in the league around this guy, and now that plan has expanded vastly. I'm willing to reach in the first round just like the chiefs did to acquire “The Chosen One.”
Middle Rounds: Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt is being drafted at RB25? This is definitely one of the biggest market mispricings of 2020. From week 10 on (when Hunt returned from his suspension) he was RB15. Teammate Nick Chubb was RB14 in that time and is being drafted 9th overall! I guess people just don’t watch Browns games and who could blame them (I’m a steeler fan in Ohio. I had to get that one in.)
Hunt looked great and it did not go unnoticed by the coaching staff and front office like it seems to have with fantasy players. He was phenomenal in the passing game. It’s been reported that he is working with the wide receivers even sitting in on their meetings. Rashard Higgins has had plenty of chances failing each time to show anything promising and I think Austin Hooper’s overrated; a product of his environment in Atlanta. Hunt could very well be third on the team in receptions this year.
The floor he accesses through the passing volume makes him very safe and that’s great, but the ceiling is what makes Kareem a potential league winner. There are multiple avenues to Hunt finishing as a top five RB. The first is obvious: a Nick Chubb injury. It doesn't even have to be season ending. If Hunt gets even a few games as the featured back for Cleveland I like the former RB4 in fantasy’s chances to run away with the job. Covid-19 increases the potential for this. The other avenue that I don't think a lot of people realize is that Hunt is playing under a one year tender. That means he’s likely not playing for the Browns next season. He could, very easily, get traded to an RB needy team where he can shine. Talk about a great 2021 keeper!
Late Rounds: Antonio Gibson
Ohhhh the good ole days. When you could lay on the davenport, drink milk from the jug delivered to your front door, and draft Antonio Gibson in the 15th round. Those days are over. There was a seismic shift in the RB depth chart for Washington when projected starter Derrius Guice was let go from the team opening the door for the multi-talented rookie to make an immediate fantasy impact.
For those who don’t know, Antonio Gibson is a 6-foot, 228-pound freak of nature. The former sprinter ran a 4.39 forty. He began his collegiate career at East Central Community College where he was a JUCO legend. His undeniable talent landed Antonio a scholarship at Memphis where he was hidden behind current NFL running backs Darell Henderson and Tony Pollard forcing him to play mostly receiver.
Gibby only touched the ball 77 times for the Tigers but what did he do with those touches? He broke THIRTY-THREE tackles on his way to scoring FOURTEEN touchdowns, seven of which were over forty yards! He is lightning in a bottle and his highlight tape will make the hair on your neck stand up. Admittedly, the starting running back gig for the Washington Football Team isn't anything to get overly excited about for fantasy but new coach Scott Turner knows how to use a swiss army knife. Bryce Love hasn't impressed in camp thus far and I haven't heard Peyton Barber's name once.
That means the only thing that stands between Antonio Gibson and being the man in Washington is 35 year-old Adrian Peterson. I love AP but...come on guys. This is going to happen and if it happens at camp, the minute it gets published his ADP will be cut in half like it was the first time. I expect Gibson to not only be the featured back, but to eventually become a focal point of what will be a vastly improved offense resulting in a breakout 2020 season. Join me in drafting Gibby in the 8th round America. Together we shall prosper.
**UPDATE: JOSH FORGOT TO EDIT AND POST THIS. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN AUGUST AND NOW AP HAS BEEN CUT AND I DON’T LOOK AS SMART! REGARDLESS, IT’S TIME TO PARTY! GIBBY IN THE FOURTH ROUND!
Honorable Mentions
James Conner - It’s the same argument I’ve been making for A.J. Green. If he stays healthy, he's an RB1 lock. I don’t like projecting injury and Mike Tomlin doesn't like RBBCs.
J.K. Dobbins - Ravens led NFL in RPOs last season. J.K. saw more of them in college than any other back eligible for the draft. Plan is in place. Cream will rise quickly.
Zack Moss - Likeliest candidate to receive goal line and passing game work. Reports from camp have indicated that Singletary is having “fumbling issues.” Wasn't impressed with Moss’ college tape but opportunity is king in fantasy.
Damien Harris - I think he takes the first carry week 1 and never looks back. This is a gut call and Uncle Bill is a fantasy funsucker. Proceed with caution. **UPDATE: Harris hurt his pinky finger (wonder how?) and may be out week 1.