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A Trio of Undervalued Running Backs
Peyton HillisIcon SMI

Friday, August 19, 2011

By Fernando Stepensky (Contributor) Twitter

In fantasy football it is essential to know your running back situations. As the draft progresses you have to have a good eye for value to get the most out of all of your picks. Here you will find a trio of RBs that I think are undervalued and have the potential to exceed their draft position. If you pick wisely (and read this article) you will have the upper hand on the rest of the teams in your fantasy league!

Peyton Hillis, Browns

I truly don't understand how Hillis is still undervalued. He is not in The Top 10 running backs of nfl.com or espn.com, which makes no sense! In his third season he rushed for 1,117 yards and 11 touchdowns. Not to mention he also caught 61 passes for 477 yards and two touchdowns! In most fantasy leagues, having a multitalented player like Hillis awards you more points. However, the one reason he might not be in the Top 10 for running backs is because of his team, the Cleveland Browns. They went 5-11 last year and are in a division with the Ravens and the Steelers. Usually players that play on bad teams have low expectations from a fantasy perspective. However, Hillis was able to produce last season on a very shaky and young team. Now that the team has more experience, especially the QB Colt McCoy, they should be better and produce more. (Keep in mind, Colt McCoy liked Hillis as a target last season and that trend should continue.) Why in some leagues Hillis isn't being drafted until the 4th or 5th round is beyond me. If he falls that far in your draft he is an absolute steal!

LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers

Blount is very similar to Hillis. They had similar numbers in 2010. The only difference between the two (besides Blount having a much better team at 10-6) is Blount put up his numbers in only 13 games! Now that the Buccaneers are more experienced and much improved, I don't see why Blount shouldn't repeat his 2010 numbers - at minimum.

One of the things I look for in a young RB is progression. That is why I had Josh Freeman on my QB sleeper list and as I said in my past article, Freeman played better each week and this is the exact same point I'm making with LeGarrette Blount - he grew and performed better week after week. In his first five weeks, he was merely an afterthought, but from week 7-17 he had 977 rushing yards and a sensational 5-yard average per carry. Crazy stats! Did I mention that it was Blount's rookie season?

If he starts 16 games, that would be more than double the amount of games he started in 2010 (7). That would translate to a large jump in his total stats and very happy fantasy owners.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants

Everyone likes Bradshaw, but sharing the workload with Brandon Jacobs has scared people away. I have watched as Jacobs has gotten older and slower and I have seen his numbers and carries drop significantly in the last three years while slowly, the Giants have noticed Bradshaw's potential and given him more opportunities. Tom Coughlin seems to like Bradshaw more each and every year. He has added responsibilities to his role each season as well and the last responsibility he needs to give up is goal lines. Many people are saying this could be the year.

Bradshaw is currently going as late as the 4th or 5th round in some leagues and I find that fitting, but because he has gone from: 355 yards in '08, to 778 in '09, and then 1,235 in 2010 with touchdown numbers telling the same story (1 in '08, 7 in '09, and 8 in 2010), I think he has tremendous value for the 4th and 5th round!

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gridAugust 26, 2011
I hadn't considered Blount as an MVP, but if you think on it a bit it seems possible if TB keeps clicking. You guys got my attention with those comments.

Another thought on Hillis, remember him in 2009? Remember Jerome Harrison in 2009?
FernandoAugust 25, 2011
You guys really seem to like Blount. I am not sure about MVP material, but he could put up some great numbers.

In terms of Brashaw its really hard to predict, but the stars might just align this year.
GridAugust 25, 2011
I'm not a Hillis fan. He came out of nowhere and seemed to wear down last season going scoreless in his final 5 games and only topping 100 yards against Buffalo. Hardesty's improved health is a bad omen as well.

I'm not really a fan of Bradshaw either, I think he's ok as half a RB, but Jacobs is not the slouch you're making hi out to be here, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry last year... which is pretty awesome and over a full ypc higher than Bradshaw. THe only edge Bradshaw has is in the receiving dept since Jacobs has rocks for hands.

Blount is a great undervalued mention though.
stockscienceAugust 24, 2011
I agree that Blount is potential
MVP material.

ff-winners.com
FernandoAugust 24, 2011
asalladay he put up tremendous numbers last year. Practically ruined my chances of winning the league. The team that got him got him off waivers and won the league.
asalladayAugust 22, 2011
Don't know much about Blount, anyone have him last year or add any insight on him??





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