Results for: "rookie RB efficiency"

Throughout the entire season, James Robinson has received the RB1 workload that fantasy managers drool over. His rookie year efficiency has been mind-blowing despite a 73.7 (No. 37 among qualified running backs) Run Blocking Efficiency mark. He checks all of the boxes we look for. Assuming he continues to receive the volume while also maintaining the production and efficiency, he likely ranks as an RB1 in redraft leagues heading into 2021.

Jonathan Taylor’s opportunity and production have trended up over his past three games. During that stretch, he averaged 21.3 total touches and 138 total yards with nine targets and three touchdowns. If he keeps producing to finish off the year, then expect his 2021 ADP to rise or hover in the same range as 2020. With his talent, season-long production, and efficiency, he should rank as a high-end RB2 or back end RB1 heading into 2021.

With the opportunity he’s seen, Justin Jefferson rocks a +43.2 (No. 3 among qualified wide receivers) Production Premium, 12.8 (No. 1) Yards per Target, and 0.57 (No. 6) Fantasy Points per Route Run. Kirk Cousins also ranks highly in the efficiency metrics with a +30.0 (No. 2) Production Premium and 8.6 (No. 2) Yards per Attempt. With the increased passing volume paired with the continued efficiency, it provides reasons for optimism for Jefferson as a locked-in WR2 moving forward.

Jerry Jeudy ranks No. 77 with a -17.8 Production Premium, which makes sense when we consider the opportunities, production, and efficiency. Although he lacks efficiency, his opportunities have trended up over the past five games. Overall, Jeudy’s production moving forward relies on volume moreso than efficiency, and Drew Lock’s inefficiencies negatively impact Jeudy’s productivity.

Last season, Aaron Jones ended up as one of the league’s most efficient running backs with a +29.7 (No. 7 among qualified running backs) Production Premium. This year, Jones ranks No. 13 with 5.5 Yards per Touch and No. 11 with a +25.0 Production Premium, meaning he’s extremely efficient with the opportunities given. Since he ranks highly in Weighted Opportunities, targets, receptions, and receiving yards, it provides optimism moving forward.

With so many opportunities, we hoped that David Montgomery would be better in terms of efficiency. He has a 72.2-percent (No. 7) Snap Share, 69.1-percent (No. 10) Opportunity Share, and 143.0 (No. 10) Weighted Opportunities. With the high volume, we expect his production to improve. However, Montgomery hasn’t displayed productivity OR efficiency to this point in the year. When we consider the struggles and injuries at quarterback, it provides more reasons for concern.

Antonio Gibson got a bump with the axing of Derrius Guice, and he finally saw a full slate of work against the laughable Cowboys on Sunday. The rookie turned 20 carries into 128 yards and a touchdown, with one carry going for 40 yards. Gibson profiles as a three-down workhorse with the requisite size at 6-0, 228-pounds and it’s only a matter of time until the receiving work and rushing share synthesize into the role he’s capable of.

Travis Fulgham has risen into the top 50 of wide receivers on PlayerProfiler.com’s dynasty rankings and for good reason. The former sixth-rounder has flat out been the best offensive player for the Eagles this season, and the loss of Zach Ertz to IR will only increase the Old Dominion product’s Target Share, which was already top-12 in the league. He is a premier buy in dynasty leagues as half the teams in your league are likely starting to sell pieces to improve their rookie draft stock.

After starting his rookie year on the injured reserve list, Jace Sternberger has a nonexistent regular season. Now with Jimmy Graham, out the door, Sternberger has the requisite size at 6-5, 251-pounds to take over the starting tight end role in Green Bay. He only has to compete against career blocker Marcedes Lewis and undrafted Robert Tonyan. Look for Sternberger to eclipse his final season stats at Texas A&M, as Aaron Rodgers’ outlet off play action a la George Kittle. 

A 6-5, 226-pound behemoth at wide receiver, Jalen Hurd was receiving praise from players and coaches before sustaining a season-ending back injury. His size and versatility as a former running back, combined with a 98.5 (64th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) Speed Score, make him a matchup nightmare. Now that fellow draftmate Deebo Samuel is having foot surgery, Hurd’s opportunities will increase. His versatility will ensure that he records usable fantasy weeks this season.

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.

To get a feel for the new-look Bengals offense we have to look at Joe Burrow from an unbiased perspective. On DraftKings Sportsbook, his over/under totals are set at 3,700 yards and 21 touchdowns. While this is on the lower side in terms of passing production, Burrow will make a great fantasy asset due to his rushing floor. In two years as LSU’s starter, he rushed for 767 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s his receivers we should be concerned about. Rookie quarterbacks struggle to support one top-36 wide receiver, nevermind two.

Despite having four picks in the top 50 of a loaded wide receiver draft, Miami’s only addition to the receiver room this offseason was seventh-round pick Malcolm Perry. DeVante Parker will have to compete with a healthy Preston Williams and Mike Gesicki for targets, but his talent has become undeniable. Any regression caused by Tua Tagovailoa in the back end of the season is already baked into his cost. Parker is a safe, high-end WR3 with top 15 upside.

Levante Bellamy did not come to Western Michigan as a running back. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 13 wide receiver and No. 499 overall prospect in the 2015 class. Western Michigan listed him at wide receiver on their roster in 2015. With elite burst displayed at the NFL Scouting Combine and a football background as a receiver, he profiles as an under the radar running back set to succeed at the professional level.

Looking ahead at future opportunities, Bellamy has the skillset to allow the Broncos to move on from Phillip Lindsay instead of committing a multi-year, expensive contract to a backup running back whose 11.6-percent Drop Rate on 95 career targets will limit his role to early down work when Melvin Gordon needs a breather. Bellamy is the better back to partner with Gordon going forward in fantasy football.

An early Breakout Age increases the chance that a wide receiver will have a successful NFL career. Of the wide receivers selected in 2014, 14 of them (41-percent) had a Breakout Age of 20 or younger. The 2020 class holds an edge with 18 prospects drafted (or 51-percent) meeting the same breakout threshold. Another notable trend for the 2020 class is that half of the players with early Breakout Ages were selected in Round 4 or later. In 2014, only two wide receivers selected on Day 3 of the draft had an early breakout.

Speed Score places a premium on 40-time, but also factors in body weight and length. The 2020 class has 17 players (49-percent) with a Speed Score of 100 or higher. A handful of rookies did not run the 40-yard dash at the 2020 Combine, so it is possible that this class more 100-plus Speed Score WRs. Even so, this represents the highest number of receivers with a Speed Score of 100-plus drafted in a class in over 10 years. In comparison, 14 players (41-percent) met this threshold for the 2014 group.

The Steelers front office puts a premium on character and relationships. This combined with the team’s close connection to the University of Maryland helps explain how Anthony McFarland ended up in Pittsburgh with a high-value fourth round selection. The team refuses to commit to the oft-injured James Conner, Benny Snell is just a guy, and Jaylen Samuels never fired. The runway lights are lit for McFarland and his 4.44 speed to lift off as Ben Roethlisberger returns in 2020.  

If you think Austin Ekeler’s extreme efficiency will carry over into 2020 sharing a backfield with a rookie quarterback behind an ineffective offensive line, this whole fantasy football things probably isn’t for you. Joshua Kelley is the only Chargers running back with the requisite size and all-purpose skillset to endure as a primary back in the league. The fourth round is the new third round given how the NFL has devalued the RB position. Kelley is the best-value rookie running back in dynasty.