With the season only a few weeks away, the busiest fantasy draft weekends are looming. We've already taken a look at Five Overvalued PPR Running Backs, and last week we took a look at some Running Back Sleeper Rankings. Now we will try and go right in the middle with some mid to late round running backs that may be a bit undervalued at their current ADP.
You probably already have a good idea on who you are drafting in the first few rounds, but if you are like me, you don't really like the middle round RBs. It just seems like there is a big drop off from the higher tier backs.
Even if that is the case, there are still plenty of undervalued running backs in the middle to late rounds that are worth taking a shot at.
Lamar Miller Houston Texans
Lamar Miller seems like he has been in the league a long time, but the veteran running back is only 27 years old. It also seems like he just has never had the huge season fantasy owners wanted, making him a running back that many avoid on draft day.
In 2017, Miller rushed 238 times for only 888 yards and three touchdowns. He did add 36 receptions for 327 yards and three touchdowns. That's a nice total of 1215 yards and six touchdowns, but for some reason people just don't seem to want to draft him. Miller is currently being drafted in the middle of round four. He is the 21st running back off the board.
Miller is undervalued because he is a starting running back for a high powered offense and looks to be a three-down back this season. D'onta Foreman won't be available to start the season as he continues to heal from an Achilles tear. With QB Deshaun Watson, Miller was being targeted 3-5 times a game, as well as rushing around 15 times a game.
If Miller gets 20+ touches a game (with Foreman out) and Watson continues his NFL tear, Miller could easily be a RB1 by the end of this season.
Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints
Yes I know Mark Ingram is suspended the first four games. I also know he has a week six bye, meaning you will only get one game out of him in six weeks to start the year. But I still believe Ingram is vastly undervalued at his 4.12 ADP (23rd running back off the board).
Ingram rushed 230 times in 2017 for 1124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 58 of 71 targets for 416 yards. And that was even with starting the season with RB Adrian Peterson in the mix. Ingram finished the season sixth in PPR for running backs.
This year will be no different, except for the fact that Ingram can't start the first four games. First off, RB Alvin Kamara won't run off with the job. Ingram is just too good for the Saints to not play. Secondly, Ingram will have very fresh legs, which could allow him to explode the first few weeks of the season. Watch for him to start his season off with a bang in Week 5 against a terrible Redskins' defense.
Carlos Hyde Cleveland Browns
Cleveland running backs always seem to be undervalued, especially since they are on an all-around dreadful NFL team. However, that all seems to be changing this year, as the Browns have put together a solid offense, and really have nowhere to go but up.
Carlos Hyde could be the first productive back in Cleveland in a long time. Hyde comes to the Browns after a four year stint in San Francisco: another team that struggled to run the ball. Hyde still managed 938 yards and eight touchdowns on 240 attempts. He also showed his receiving abilities, catching 59 of 88 targets for 350 yards.
The Browns have significantly improved their offense with offseason additions of WR Jarvis Landry and mobile QB Tyrod Taylor. With a sleek, revamped offense, Hyde might actually have some running room in the Cleveland backfield. At 5.08 (26th RB), Hyde could easily surpass his ADP by the end of 2018.
Jamaal Williams Green Bay Packers
Last year the Green Bay Packers seemed to have become a three headed monster when it came to the run game. Rookie running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones were consistently battling veteran WR/RB Ty Montgomery for touches, and all flashed at some point in the season.
Thanks to a suspension to Aaron Jones, Williams is slated to be the starter going into the first week of the 2018 season. On top of that, Ty Montgomery has already injured his foot, and in general is an injury risk.
Williams is currently being drafted in the beginning of the seventh round. He is the 33rd RB off the board. Williams is undervalued because he will be the starting running back for a good Packers' team. He has the chance to prove that he can be a lead back, even when Montgomery and Jones are back. Williams has also been earning praise in the offseason, so hopefully he can continue that into the season.
Williams rushed 153 times for 556 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. He added 25 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
Marlon Mack Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack is being overlooked this year, thanks mostly to a hamstring injury and solid play from rookie RB Jordan Wilkins. He is currently going in the back of the eighth round as the 40th running back off the board.
Mack has shown signs of being able to be a good starting running back, but was constantly held back by veteran RB Frank Gore and the absence of QB Andrew Luck. With Gore gone and Luck hopefully back to full health, Mack might finally have the chance to run.
Mack carried the ball 93 times for 358 yards and three touchdowns in 2017. He also caught 21 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. With an expanded role on a decent offense, Mack could easily see RB2 numbers this season.
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