2012 Fantasy Football Keeper Targets: Running Back
This is my thoughts on potential keepers for the running back position for your keeper league.
CJ Spiller: Pay Close attention to what the Bills are planning to do for next season. Before Fred Jackson’s injury Spiller rarely saw the field. Once he had season ending surgery Spiller exploded onto the seen. If Spiller is to be the starter next season you can expect 1600 yards total offense and 10-12 TD’s.
Maurice Jones Drew: This guy is immune to playing on a bad team. MJD is always a lock for over 1200 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving, and 6+ TD’s. Keep him and feel comfortable for one more season.
Chris Johnson: It is too risky to not keep this guy. I think the Titans will go out of their way to improve the interior OL this offseason. I do not like the CJ2K’s work ethic but his talent is too high for you to drop him.
Ray Rice: Now that Rice is seeing red zone touches he is an automatic keep. You can expect similar numbers for the next 3-5 years. He might be the best PPR running back in the league.
Marshawn Lynch: No one had more of an impact during the second half of the season than Lynch. Most people are considering him a lock to keep….not so fast my friends. Once Lynch gets his contract I do not expect similar numbers. Keep him at your own risk. His lack of receptions is alarming as well.
Jamal Charles: Similar to Peyton Manning…this once top 5 pick is a risky keep. The good news is Charles had all season to recover and the Chiefs are a run first team. Bad news is the unknown right now. Keep an ear out on his recovery. If you can keep 3 players than he is worth the risk.
Darren McFadden: No way. This was the last straw for Run DMC. He will miss at minimum 3-4 games every season. His production is not to be questioned but I would not keep a player with that kind of risk. I like solid production from my players that I keep. Vanilla is never a bad idea early on in the draft process.
Ryan Matthews: Matthews is a toss up. His second season was more productive than his rookie year. Matthews really improved in the passing game. With Matthews getting more touches than Tolbert’s you can keep him without worrying too much. Just don’t expect the world from him.
DeMarco Murray: Wow, he had an exciting season that ended abruptly. At this point in the offseason I would recommend keeping him if you can keep 3 players. He is productive in the passing game as well and the Cowboys offense is going to be elite for the foreseeable future. His injury history is alarming though. Could be a Run DMC clone in both playing style and injury occurrences since both have an upright running stance.
LeSean McCoy: No brainer in any kind of format. Might lay crown to the best RB with Peterson’s injury.
Adrian Peterson: I feel for this guy. No RB is more respected than Adrian Peterson. I think he can recover from this kind of injury but keeping him is risky. His numbers will be down next season….at least through the first half of the season. If you can only keep a player one year than skip him otherwise stash on bench and keep him.
Matt Forte: The offseason will be interesting for Forte. My guess is he gets franchised and will sign a 3-4 year contract afterwards. I would keep Forte and feel good about it. Bears passing game should get addressed this offseason.
Michael Turner: I think Turner’s time is about up as an elite fantasy option. I would keep him but I do not think he is an automatic lock. His rushing totals will stay around 1100 yards and he will score about 10 TD’s. I would not expect anymore from this guy.
Frank Gore: Gore is an extremely talented RB but he is injury prone. That said there are few better options and it would be wise to keep Gore. Expect 1500 yards total offense and around 10 TD’s.
Stephen Jackson: Jackson will have one more elite season. I have a feeling he will take off next season. I think the Rams get Matt Kalil and should be much improved offensively. If that is so, I can see 1500 total yards and around 8-9 TD’s. I would suggest keepingJackson.
Arian Foster: No Brainer in any format. Even a season with nagging hamstring injury could not slow this guy down. He is the perfect fit for the Texans offense