• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • In-Season Rankings
    • Standard
    • PPR
  • Waiver Wire
  • Members Only
    • DFS LU TOOL
    • Player Tracker
    • Forum
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Log In
  • Join
Fantasy Knuckleheads

Fantasy Knuckleheads

Fantasy sports news, rankings, sleepers, cheat sheets, stats and tools.

High Upside Late Round Draft Targets: Non-PPR Running Backs

August 26, 2016 by Brendan Cole

Late round running backs are in style with the advent of zero running back strategies. Wide receivers are much closer to sure commodities and as a result managers are taking them in the early rounds. With this in mind, here is a list that points out some running backs with major upside. These players are widely available late in drafts and offer some potentially impressive returns.

Tim Hightower NO

Tim Hightower was a fantasy zombie last season. He could be relevant again in 2016.
Tim Hightower was a fantasy zombie last season. He could be relevant again in 2016.

Last season opportunity did not knock for Hightower until Mark Ingram was injured. This year the Saints may choose to give Hightower some carries earlier in the season to reduce the pounding on their starting back. In limited action last season, Hightower saw a whopping 22 carries in the red zone. He managed 4 red zone touchdowns as a result. The split between Ingram and Hightower is anyone's guess, but the performance last season has shown New Orleans coaches that there is still plenty of tread on the tires for the former red zone specialist.

Tips For Auctions Drafts

Isaiah Crowell CLE

Crowell took care of most rushing duties for the Browns last season. This should be true again in 2016, with no true every down running back on the team. Duke Johnson Jr. will handle passing downs again and handle a few carries. In the red zone, Crowell will probably be the only game in town. Last season the Browns gave Crowell 32 red zone carries, good for 13th most in the league. He scored 5 red zone touchdowns from those carries. He is not going to pile up yards or have a breakout season, but Crowell is a valuable commodity at the flex position.

DeVontae Booker DEN

The Broncos have not put much trust in C.J. Anderson to handle their red zone carries. Ronnie Hillman was the Broncos primary goal line back, handling 27 red zone carries in 2015. With Hillman's potential departure, the Broncos seem to have another plan in mind. Gary Kubiak has generally like to have a single "bell cow" type running back in his system. Despite this, he seems to have some reservations with completely trusting Anderson near the goal line. Booker's style of running perfectly matches Kubiak's zone blocking scheme and should merit some carries right out of the gate. If he impresses, he could parlay some early success into Hillman's spot as the goal line back. This role gave Hillman significant value in fantasy last season and would do the same for Booker in 2016. The potential is there and this certainly makes Booker worthy of a late flier.

Late Round Wide Receivers With Potential

Terrance West BAL

West being a solid value is a function of the Baltimore running game's uncertainty. Forsett still represents a good middle round choice as well. He can be acquired very late for a "starting" running back. West is available much later in drafts, however. He has looked good in the preseason and scored multiple times. This may prove to be a preseason mirage or he could secure the goal line duties. The potential gain is worth the loss of a late round pick.

The regular season is right around the corner and teams are rounding into form. Good luck to those fantasy owners still drafting. Be sure to utilize all of the draft resources offered by FK.

Category - Fantasy Football Draft - High Upside Late Round Draft Targets: Non-PPR Running Backs

Dominate Your League

About Brendan Cole

Brendan is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a concentration in journalism. He is a lifelong sports fan who is currently molding his two sons to follow in his footsteps. Follow him on Twitter

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • Fantasy Football Draft Psychology: How To Outsmart Your League Mates

    Fantasy Football Draft Psychology: How To Outsmart Your League Mates

  • Which Quarterback Should You Draft in 2021?

    Which Quarterback Should You Draft in 2021?

  • Team Defense Committee vs Streaming Draft Strategy

    Team Defense Committee vs Streaming Draft Strategy

  • Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

    Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

  • Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

    Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

Need To Know

  • Fantasy Football Rankings
  • Average Draft Position (ADP) Report
  • Fantasy Football Draft Projections
  • The Best Waiver Wire Picks
  • Best Optimal Lineup Tool
  • ESPN Insider Coupon Code
  • Premium Fantasy Football Draft Guide
  • Fantasy Football Projections Video Series

Footer

ABOUT US

Established in the summer of 2009, Fantasy Knuckleheads is devoted to providing quality fantasy football news, advice, cheat sheets, tools and services. We’re not a mega-sports-site that churns out content by the pound. We’re simply a small, tight knit group of fantasy experts turned writers that love what we do, especially when we’re right. We strive to tell you something you don’t already know that’s actionable and at the very least, informative.

Fantasy Blog Network

Get This <a href="https://fantasyknuckleheads.com" title="Fantasy Football Rankings"><b>Fantasy Football for all you knuckleheads</b></a>

INFORMATION

  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Fantasy Sports Widget

Copyright © 2023 · Fantasy Knuckleheads ·

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in