Post NFL Draft: Running Backs to Target NOW!
Welcome back to my series where I tell you what players to target (or not target) in your fantasy drafts! This week we will be looking at running backs!
The NFL Draft took place last weekend and there were numerous RBs who ended up in some… interesting situations. Some backfields have been muddied and some have more clarity after the draft. That said, let’s look at two RBs that you should be targeting in your fantasy drafts this offseason!
*ADP and player ranking data are courtesy of Underdog Fantasy*
Rachaad White (ADP 78.1, RB25)
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the biggest winners of this draft was Rachaad White. The Bucs only added Sean Tucker, an undrafted free agent, to their running back room this past weekend. Combine that with Playoff Lenny’s departure, and White looks like the lead back in Tampa.
White finished last year with 50 receptions, a very solid number for a rookie. With Fournette gone and no replacement in sight, we can expect White to see increases in both carries and targets.
While there are lots of question marks regarding the offense with Tom Brady now retired, White should still greatly improve his fantasy finish of RB38 from last season. The guarantee of carries and targets should provide a safe floor for White owners. While having a safer floor, the opportunity of being a lead back should mean White has a higher upside this year too.
The fact Tampa did not draft another RB tells me they are confident in White as their lead back. While I do expect Tampa to sign another RB to provide depth, I do not anticipate them signing an RB that will seriously threaten White’s role as the lead RB for the Bucs.
Joe Mixon (ADP 80.9, RB26)
Embed from Getty ImagesThings could not have worked out much better last weekend for Joe Mixon. The Bengals had seven draft picks this year and only took one running back, Chase Brown, in the 5th round. Given his draft capital, Brown is unlikely to pose much of a threat to Mixon’s status as the lead back this season.
Mixon finished as the RB12 last season in an offense that should be the same as last year, more or less. The 26-year-old running back ended the year with 212 carries for 826 yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 60 receptions for 441 yards and 2 touchdowns.
With limited competition added, in a backfield that he clearly dominated last year, expect a similar year for Mixon. If he does produce similarly, you are getting a low-end RB1 in the 7th round of drafts right now.
These ADPs should be taken with a grain of salt as both White and Mixon will likely move up at least a few spots in the coming weeks given the results of the draft last weekend.
That is why you can get a leg up on the field if you play best ball by drafting now! Bestball Mania 4 just released on Underdog Fantasy and there will be more tournaments to come in which you can draft all summer! It is truly the best way to prepare for your redraft leagues that will be drafting later in the summer!
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