Four Underappreciated Running Back Breakout Candidates

by ntabs343, June 25, 2020

Derrius Guice has the profile of an all-purpose RB1 stud. He showed signs at LSU where he had a 32.2-percent (73rd-percentile among qualified running backs) College Dominator Rating with 6.4 (82nd-percentile) Yards Per Carry. His Best Comparable Player is Ezekiel Elliott. Knee injuries have prevented us from seeing his full potential in the NFL, but given a full time opportunity, he will be a fantasy RB1. 

James Conner is heading into a contract year and has the highest fraglity rating on PlayerProfiler. Enter Anthony McFarland. The Steelers took McFarland in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He comes in with a 107.0 (85th-percentile) Speed Score combined with a 30.1 (80th-percentile) BMI. He adds size and speed to a running back room that seriously lacks it. If Conner goes down or isn’t productive, its feasible for the offense to turn to McFarland.

READ MORE

Nick Chubb: 2020 Fantasy Football League Winner

by Paul Defrancesco, June 25, 2020

Nick Chubb be the feature back in a Browns offense that has made significant upgrades on the offensive line with the addition of tackles Jack Conklin and rookie Jedrick Wills. Both of whom graded above 80 in their run blocking according to Pro Football Focus. The team also added Austin Hooper in free agency, which indicates more 12-personnel or two tight-end set usage. This will increase the overall run game effectiveness.

With the upgrades to the offense combined with the emphasis on a run-based scheme and the potential positive regression, Chubb not only has a high floor with a secure role as the No. 1 RB on the depth chart, but the ceiling is incredibly high with his ability to break off long runs and the potential increased opportunities as the goal line back. While a reception is worth more than a carry, touchdowns and opportunity are king in fantasy. Chubb can lead you to the crown in your fantasy league in 2020.

READ MORE

Which Teams Will See the Biggest Passing Volume Increases in 2020?

by Ikey Azar, June 25, 2020

In 2019, the Steelers threw the ball only 510 times because they had Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges starting at quarterback. In 2018, Ben Roethlisberger was given full play-calling autonomy at the line scrimmage. This led to a league-leading, and career-high, 675 (No. 1 among qualified quarterbacks) passing attempts. The Pittsburgh offense is a major buy low when Big Ben has his way and is allowed to call all the plays at the line of scrimmage again.

Seattle has a skeptical running back group and face a murderer’s row of run defenses, the worst projected schedule in the league per Sharp Football. In addition, per Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings, their defense has slowly been regressing since 2014. Their rankings have dropped in each of the last five seasons, making Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf wise investments for fantasy teams. 

READ MORE

Alvin Kamara Is the Ultimate Dynasty Sell High Candidate

by Kyle Chapman, June 23, 2020

Alvin Kamara is an elite change-of-pace back, but has never carried the ball more than 194 times in a season. In 42 out of 50 career games, he has carried the ball 14 times or less. He also has only two 100-yard rushing games in his three-year career. He will age well because he is such a great receiving threat, but will fall more into the Darren Sproles/James White category sooner than later, which means he is more of an RB2 than RB1 in half or full point PPR dynasty leagues.

Whether in shotgun or under center, Drew Brees’ presence forces defenses to not stack the box. What if Brees retires, and is replaced by turnover-prone Jameis Winston? What if it’s a running quarterback who hasn’t proven he can throw downfield and keep secondaries honest in Taysom Hill? Or worse, a rookie QB? This would create a harder time for Kamara to produce and maximize his limited touches per game. 

READ MORE

Late Round Targets to Avoid in 2020 Best Ball Drafts

by Christopher Buonagura, June 22, 2020

Devin Funchess serves no specific role in a run-first offense with an established alpha at wide receiver. His efficiency and productivity metrics in 2018 were deplorable, but he did lead the league in one category: drops. Funchess’ 75.9-percent (No. 90 among qualified wide receivers) True Catch Rate and 13.9-percent (No. 1) Drop Rate do not mix well with Aaron Rodgers’ well-known lack of tolerance for drops.

The Pittsburgh Steelers succeeded this off season in obliterating the role Jaylen Samuels enjoyed in 2019. Samuels failed to capitalize when called upon each time James Conner suffered an injury. He is in a touch squeeze with Benny Snell and fourth-round rookie Anthony McFarland. He faces additional target competition from second-round pick Chase Claypool and free agent addition Eric Ebron. Samuels is no longer a late-round committee receiving back who is an injury away from monster fantasy weeks.

READ MORE

Rookie Busts Ready To Strike As Sophomores

by The “Mad Chatter” Ryan MK, June 18, 2020

N’Keal Harry didn’t live up to the hype in his rookie campaign, but 2020 brings promise. Young Jarrett Stidham is now the quarterback in New England, and he will need more help than Tom Brady had last year to keep the Patriot machine rolling. Beyond Julian Edelman, who is 34-years old, there is a lack of playmakers at wide receiver. With a year of experience in the offense under his belt, Harry is primed for a big sophomore season.

The hype surrounding Parris Campbell in 2019 was real, but a rash of injuries derailed his rookie campaign. The addition of Philip Rivers is a boon for the Colts offense, and for Campbell in particular. While with the Chargers, one of Rivers’ primary targets was Keenan Allen, who played over 50-percent of his snaps from the slot. According to Colts coach Frank Reich, the slot is exactly where Campbell will play this season, making him a high-upside value proposition.

READ MORE

The Case for David Montgomery in 2020

by Christopher Buonagura, June 18, 2020

David Montgomery is viewed as a borderline RB2 in seasonal drafts this year and he is obtainable in dynasty trades. He’s ranked as the RB25 on PlayerProfiler’s dynasty rankings, while the “World Famous Draft Kit” ranks him at RB23 in seasonal PPR leagues. His FFPC ADP is in the mid-40s and he often falls into the fifth round of drafts. Chicago’s lackluster 2019 season diminished the fantasy value of its star players. Many will pass on Montgomery this season, failing to see his upside.

The consensus is that Montgomery’s ceiling starts and ends with Jordan Howard’s 2018 production. A deeper dig quickly shows this is not the case. Montgomery, as a rookie, matched Howard’s 2018 stats in fewer games, outperforming Howard in almost every efficiency metric available on PlayerProfiler. He’s inefficient, but faces high volume with a better overall profile than Howard. He’s being drafted and traded with expectations of being the next Howard. Buying Montgomery at that value is a win.

READ MORE

PlayerProfiler is an industry icon providing top-tier Redraft, Best Ball, and Dynasty Fantasy Football articles. Year in and year out, we publish unparalleled insights and analysis in the realm of Fantasy Football news, player evaluation, draft strategy, and much more. With a steadfast dedication to delivering high-quality content, PlayerProfiler serves as an indispensable resource for enthusiasts seeking expert guidance and strategic advice. Our gallery of Fantasy Football articles spans a wide range of topics, from player metrics to trends and performance data, ensuring that readers stay informed and empowered to make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, PlayerProfiler provides valuable insights and actionable information to enhance your fantasy football experience. Take your fantasy game to the next level with PlayerProfiler's ALL-IN Package.