Hey there everyone!
We’re halfway through the week. Just a few more days to do something memorable for yourself and others!
On Monday we discussed the current handcuffs for RBs. We talked about who the 2018 NFL RB backups were, and where they are landing in drafts. Today we’re going to talk about where to actually draft your RB combination in drafts, and what the best 2018 RB combinations are to draft. (Part 2 of 3)
When looking for the best combination, look for players that have backups that can easily step into the starting role. CIN is a perfect example of that type of combination. Joe Mixon can be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round, while Giovani Bernard is going from the 9th to early 11th round in 12-Team PPR leagues. Gio was drafted by CIN in the 2nd Round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has experience as a starter on the team and can catch as well as run. This makes him an excellent compliment and handcuff to Mixon. While this example will require you to draft the two fairly close together, there are other RBs more spread out on the draft board. An example of this combination is Zeke Elliot and Rod Smith. Zeke is going within the first three picks of Round 1, and Smith is going around 288 picks into the draft. Last season Smith was given an opportunity with Zeke on suspension. He played in 15 games during the 2017 campaign. What I really like about this combination is the ability to draft a capable backup that is currently going around the 23rd round of the draft.
Here’s a list of RB combinations that I recommend targeting for 2018. (ADP based on 12-Team PPR)
CAR: Christian McCaffrey and his backup CJ Anderson
These two are completely different types of RBs. McCaffrey exceeds at receiving and his quickness on the field. Anderson is known more as a power back forcing his way through the line. Carolina Head Coach Ron Rivera likes the bruising RBs such as Anderson. So, if Carolina needs to go to their backup RB, there should not be an issue with Anderson receiving starts. In 2017 Anderson was able to surpass 1000 yards as a runner while receiving 28 catches. His TD’s were down from previous years, but he far exceeded his yard total over his previous four years in Denver. You should be able to draft Anderson around the 9th Round.
CIN: Joe Mixon and his backup Giovani Bernard
As we discussed above, this is one of my favorite combinations in the draft. Not only can you draft Mixon in the 2nd Round, but his handcuff is a former starter that is less than 5 years old in the league. Both are capable of performing as a starting RB on your roster. Also, the offensive line in CIN has been upgraded a little with Ohio State University Center Billy Price in the 1st Round. Gio is going around the 9th Round.
DAL: Zeke Elliot and his backup Rod Smith
The Zeke and Rod combination is another favorite this season. Zeke is going within the first three picks. The OL in Dallas is very good, and they will need to run this season with little help at WR and TE. Smith is obtainable in the 23rd Round.
JAC: Leonard Fournette and his backup TJ Yeldon
Fournette is being drafted around the 8th overall pick in the draft. His backup Yeldon is going around the 18th Round. Yeldon was a previous starter in Jacksonville in 2015 and 2016. Rushing for 1205 yards those two years. Last season was Fournette’s first in the league. He rushed for 1040 yards and 9 TD’s – showing why Jacksonville drafted him as their 1st overall pick (4th pick overall), in the 2017 NFL Draft. With Yeldon’s previous experience as a starter and only three seasons in the league, he makes a perfect compliment to Fournette. This season Jacksonville will probably run the ball more to just run the clock down, once they’ve obtained a lead. Yeldon is being drafted around the 18th Round, not costing you too much of a pick that late in the draft.
KC: Kareem Hunt and his backup Spencer Ware
Hunt is another RB from the 2017 NFL Draft Class. He surprised a lot of people last season in the first weekend and helped the Chiefs beat New England, running for 144 yards 1 TD, and receiving 5 catches for 98 yards 2 TDs. Ware was supposed to start the season as the starter but then went down with a torn PCL in the preseason. Hunt was then given his opportunity Week 1, and didn’t look back! This season Hunt is still going in as the top RB for the Chiefs, with Ware as his backup. HC Andy Reid likes to run the ball and with young QB Patrick Mahomes, Hunt will be used heavily this season. Hunt is going in the 1st Round, and Ware is going in the 18th Round.
LAR: Todd Gurley and his future backup John Kelly
Here’s a story that I’ve only heard John Hansen and Torry Holt talk about. Malcolm Brown is the current backup on the depth chart. But, Kelly should surpass him come sometime at the beginning of the season. Kelly played at the University of Tennessee, going in the 6th Round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Gurley is a 1st overall pick in fantasy drafts this season. So, you better back up your top pick with his future backup. In 2017 Kelly rushed for 778 yards and 9 TDs at Tennesse. Kelly’s also has the passion for skateboarding which is an excellent skill for an RB in the NFL. Kelly is currently going in the 23 Round of drafts.
MIN: Dalvin Cook and his backup Latavius Murray
Cook is being drafted at the beginning of the 2nd Round this season. After going down in Week 4 last season, MIN was able to rely on Murray to step in and take over as their starter. Murray finished the season with 842 yards 8 TDs, and 8 receptions and 103 receiving yards. While Jerick McKinnon was relied on as the receiving back in 2017. McKinnon has since moved onto the 49ers. Although Murray is 28 years old he may still have one more year in his tank to step in if called upon. With Cook going in the 2nd Round and Murray being drafted in the 12th Round, they make an excellent combination this year.
NO: Alvin Kamara and his backup Mark Ingram
Kamara is another stud RB from the 2017 NFL Draft Class. While he only started in three games last season he still brought in 728 rushing yards 8 TDs, 81 receptions for 826 yards and 5 TDs. While Ingram ran for 1124 yards 12 TDs, 58 receptions and 416 yards. Both are very capable starters for the Saints this season. But, Ingram will be serving a four-game suspension to start the season. This doesn’t help him with the opportunity as the starter for 2018. At 28 years of age, unfortunately, Ingram is running out of time in the NFL and is an unrestricted free agent in 2019. Former Buffalo Bills RB Jonathan Williams will start the first four games as Kamara’s backup. But, Ingram should step in as the handcuff in Week 5. Ingram is currently being drafted around the 3rd Round, with Kamara going in the 1st Round.
PHI Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement
While I’m not an Ajayi fan as your starter. This is a good situation to own in fantasy football this season. Ajayi is coming off of a Super Bowl victory, after getting traded my Miami in October, though his yards were down from the previous season. In 2016 he ran for 1272 yards, while only running for 865 yards and 1 TD. Fair warning, I’m not banking on Ajayi staying healthy the entire season. So, we may see Clement starting sometime during the year. In 2017 Clement ran for 321 yards and 4 TDs. With only a year in the NFL, and an increased workout regimen from the end of last season. There’s been talk throughout camp this offseason about Clements potential in 2018. Ajayi is going in the 3rd Round of drafts, with Clement going off of boards in the 11th Round. Clement even makes a fine pick by himself this year. So if you own this combination, your guaranteed a good spot this season.
TEN Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis
Eventually, this season I think we’ll see Lewis become the starting RB for the Titans, with Henry as his handcuff. But, until then Lewis should come off of draft boards a little later than most starters. Henry ran for 744 yards in 2017, with 5 TDs. He also caught 11 balls for 136 yards. While, Lewis ran for 896 yards 6 TDs, and 32 receptions for 214 yards and 3 TDs.
Lewis was signed by the Titans for 4 years and $19,800,000, this offseason. So does TEN really have much confidence in Henry? Henry is currently going in the 3rd Round, while Lewis is being drafted in the 4th. So it is possible to take Henry in the 3rd, with Lewis in the 4th. This draft combo could be a good move if you go WR heavy in the early rounds.
Understanding the importance of where your handcuffs are getting drafted is very important every season. By insuring your top RB pick, you’re securing an RB spot on your roster. This is vital when teams start to experience injuries with their starting RB.
Next up? This Friday, we’ll discuss some of the handcuff situations to avoid this season. Why get stuck in a terrible situation if you can avoid it going into the draft?
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