{"id":92338,"date":"2020-08-01T19:37:29","date_gmt":"2020-08-01T23:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=92338"},"modified":"2020-08-01T19:37:29","modified_gmt":"2020-08-01T23:37:29","slug":"three-league-winning-fantasy-football-running-backs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/08\/01\/three-league-winning-fantasy-football-running-backs\/","title":{"rendered":"Three League Winning Fantasy Football Running Backs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Running Backs are always a hot commodity early in fantasy football drafts. This year will be no different. But what if you decide to buck that trend in 2020? Say you\u2019re picking at the end of the first and a combination of Tyreek Hill<\/a><\/strong> and Davante Adams<\/a><\/strong> is just too enticing to pass up. Let\u2019s take a look at three running backs who can make that <\/span>zero RB strategy<\/span><\/a> payoff and end up league winners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For this list, we\u2019re going to look outside the top 20 running backs. Of course, if Aaron Jones<\/a><\/strong> or Austin Ekeler<\/a><\/strong> are available you\u2019ll make that move. We\u2019re looking at running backs who have high enough ceilings to eclipse their average draft position. These aren\u2019t safe picks across the board. Some of these guys have low floors. Just a note- we\u2019ll be using <\/span>fantasy pros consensus rankings<\/span><\/a> as of July 31st, 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Running Backs Who Can Help You Win Your Fantasy League<\/h2>\n

Best Bets<\/span><\/h2>\n

D\u2019Andre Swift\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Current Running Back Rank – 29<\/span><\/p>\n

D\u2019Andre Swift<\/a> has the talent to be a true three-down running back. The situation he\u2019s walking into in Detroit is not quite as good as his talent. The rookie running back will have to contend with incumbent Kerryon Johnson<\/a><\/strong>. Normally, you\u2019d shy away somewhat from a team with a returning back but Johnson has missed large parts of the last two seasons with knee injuries. In addition Kerryon hasn\u2019t been nearly as efficient as the team had hoped. Enter Swift. The Lions drafted Swift at the top of the second round this year to infuse some electricity into their offense. His last season at Georgia, Swift ran for 1216 yards and pulled down 24 catches. In the pre-draft process he ran a 4.48 forty and eclipsed ten feet in the broad jump. Explosive, productive, and an opportunity? Take the plunge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Raheem Mostert<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Current Running Back Rank – 25<\/span><\/p>\n

After flashing a bit in 2018, Raheem Mostert burst onto the scene in 2019. Despite being credited with zero starts, Mostert recorded a total of 952 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns on only 151 touches. While his efficiency may come down a bit, he should see more touches in 2020. San Francisco traded Matt Breida<\/a><\/strong> to Miami. While they welcome back Jerick McKinnon<\/a><\/strong>, he hasn\u2019t played in two seasons. Mostert\u2019s rank does have risk baked in. Tevin Coleman<\/a><\/strong> and Jeff Wilson<\/a><\/strong> will still get touches in this backfield. Kyle Shanahan has always used multiple backs and that doesn\u2019t appear to change anytime soon. That said, Mostert finished last season as RB20 in standard and RB26 in PPR. Take your chances that he\u2019ll get an uptick in carries and make the most of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Opportunity Is There<\/span><\/h2>\n

David Montgomery<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current Running Back Rank – 22<\/span><\/p>\n

David Montgomery will likely be the workhorse in Chicago\u2019s backfield<\/a> this season. While he failed to impress in his rookie season, he still finished 22nd in standard and 24th in PPR scoring in 2019. If the Bears offense improves in 2020, it\u2019s easy to see Montgomery having an uptick in production. You\u2019re looking for a second-year leap here but even if he doesn\u2019t have one, he\u2019s still got a pretty safe floor. He\u2019s not a sexy pick but his current ADP of 49.5 feels right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonus Pick<\/span><\/h2>\n

Damien Harris<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current Running Back Rank – N\/A<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s your curveball, dart throw, deep sleeper, I-may-be-delusional, hot take, late-round flier. This is as much about Damien Harris\u2019 potential opportunity as it is his talent. Patriots starting running back Sony Michel<\/a><\/strong> had surgery on his foot in May. There are questions about his <\/span>availability for training camp<\/span><\/a>. Harris was New England\u2019s third-round pick in 2019 and is primed to take advantage of this opportunity. He started over fellow 2019 draftee Josh Jacobs<\/a> <\/strong>at Alabama so talent is not a concern. If Harris takes advantage of Michel\u2019s potential absence, he has an RB2 ceiling. An RB2 ceiling for a guy that is currently going undrafted? Yes, please.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>