The first thing that jumped out when looking at the latest ADP is how many running backs are losing ground compared to the number who are climbing. It's such a fickle position that, as noted in the preseason Top-50, has already been emphatically overtaken by wide receivers as the top priority for fantasy drafters.
Somehow running backs are being valued even less than they were a month ago, when they were at an all-time low. We know the fantasy community loves to take trends to the extreme. So, is this the year of the running back over-correction? Or is this the new norm?
The ADP data is pulled from NFFC leagues, which are always PPR.
Risers
Player | Team | July ADP | Current ADP | +/- |
Darren McFadden | Dal | 226.8 | 214.1 | 12.7 |
DeAngelo Williams | Pit | 126.0 | 113.9 | 12.2 |
Jeremy Langford | Chi | 76.1 | 67.2 | 8.9 |
James White | NE | 256.3 | 247.7 | 8.6 |
Chris Thompson | Was | 243.3 | 235.2 | 8.1 |
Arian Foster | Mia | 119.5 | 113.4 | 6.1 |
DeMarco Murray | Ten | 59.9 | 55.0 | 4.9 |
Chris Johnson | Ari | 228.5 | 223.9 | 4.7 |
Alfred Morris | Dal | 241.1 | 236.9 | 4.2 |
T.J. Yeldon | Jax | 103.4 | 99.8 | 3.6 |
LeGarrette Blount | NE | 175.6 | 172.3 | 3.4 |
Shaun Draughn | SF | 242.6 | 240.0 | 2.7 |
Chris Ivory | Jax | 109.6 | 107.0 | 2.6 |
Ryan Mathews | Phi | 76.4 | 74.0 | 2.4 |
Devonta Freeman | Atl | 19.5 | 17.7 | 1.8 |
Derrick Henry | Ten | 120.6 | 118.9 | 1.8 |
LeSean McCoy | Buf | 42.8 | 41.1 | 1.6 |
Danny Woodhead | SD | 63.4 | 61.9 | 1.5 |
Jeremy Hill | Cin | 78.3 | 76.9 | 1.3 |
Darren Sproles | Phi | 175.4 | 174.2 | 1.2 |
Matt Forte | NYJ | 44.5 | 43.3 | 1.2 |
Jamaal Charles | KC | 26.1 | 25.0 | 1.1 |
Adrian Peterson | Min | 14.1 | 13.4 | 0.8 |
Thomas Rawls | Sea | 50.4 | 49.7 | 0.6 |
Todd Gurley | LA | 6.1 | 6.1 | 0.0 |
Darren McFadden (+12.7)
This is a head-scratcher. McFadden is hurt (again) and seemingly in jeopardy of losing his roster spot, or at least his backup role to Alfred Morris. Starter Zeke Elliott finally took his first game reps last night for Dallas and looked as advertised. Perhaps that will be McFadden's death knell.
DeAngelo Williams (+12.2)
Williams was fabulous filling in for LeVeon Bell in 2015. With Bell out for at least three games to the start the 2016 season, owners should feel comfort that Williams is around again to save the day. A Bell-Williams tandem could be as strong a scoring combination in fantasy leagues as you can find in the NFL. At pick 113, the ninth-year veteran is a handcuff you're guaranteed to use.
Jeremy Langford (+8.9)
Rookie RB Jordan Howard hasn't proven to be a threat to Langford's starting job, rushing for just 3.6 yards per carry over two preseason games. While Langford didn't set the world on fire from a statistical perspective in 2015, he has posted a more robust 5.2 YPC in exhibition games. Now the only question is, will coach John Fox's notorious committee approach rear it's ugly head in Chicago?
James White (+8.6)
Dion Lewis is out indefinitely with a knee injury and White is the benefactor. White, though, has looked pedestrian as a runner since entering the league in 2014 and judging by his still low ADP of 247.7, fantasy owners aren't convinced. Keep an eye on Tyler Gaffney as the potential breakout back in New England.
Fallers
Player | Team | July ADP | Current ADP | +/- |
Devontae Booker | Den | 166.9 | 167.3 | -0.4 |
C.J. Anderson | Den | 40.9 | 41.4 | -0.5 |
Eddie Lacy | GB | 31.4 | 32.0 | -0.6 |
Theo Riddick | Det | 103.0 | 103.7 | -0.7 |
David Johnson | Ari | 6.9 | 7.9 | -1.0 |
Ameer Abdullah | Det | 90.4 | 91.6 | -1.2 |
Latavius Murray | Oak | 57.4 | 58.7 | -1.3 |
Javorius Allen | Bal | 149.9 | 151.3 | -1.4 |
Ezekiel Elliott | Dal | 9.8 | 11.4 | -1.7 |
Carlos Hyde | SF | 48.9 | 50.9 | -2.0 |
Jerick McKinnon | Min | 177.3 | 179.5 | -2.2 |
Le'Veon Bell | Pit | 7.1 | 9.4 | -2.3 |
Giovani Bernard | Cin | 71.1 | 73.4 | -2.3 |
Doug Martin | TB | 33.8 | 36.3 | -2.5 |
Bilal Powell | NYJ | 150.4 | 153.1 | -2.7 |
Justin Forsett | Bal | 116.5 | 119.3 | -2.8 |
Mark Ingram | NO | 27.8 | 30.6 | -2.9 |
Shane Vereen | NYG | 143.9 | 146.8 | -2.9 |
Isaiah Crowell | Cle | 127.4 | 130.5 | -3.1 |
Lamar Miller | Hou | 15.3 | 18.5 | -3.2 |
Duke Johnson Jr. | Cle | 64.3 | 67.5 | -3.3 |
Spencer Ware | KC | 221.5 | 225.1 | -3.6 |
Matt Jones | Was | 58.8 | 62.8 | -4.0 |
James Starks | GB | 176.9 | 181.4 | -4.5 |
Charles Sims | TB | 95.1 | 99.8 | -4.6 |
Paul Perkins | NYG | 194.0 | 198.9 | -4.9 |
Rashad Jennings | NYG | 109.9 | 114.8 | -4.9 |
Dion Lewis | NE | 52.3 | 57.2 | -4.9 |
Frank Gore | Ind | 82.1 | 87.7 | -5.6 |
Melvin Gordon | SD | 84.1 | 90.0 | -5.8 |
Jonathan Stewart | Car | 86.6 | 92.8 | -6.2 |
Tevin Coleman | Atl | 123.3 | 130.7 | -7.5 |
Wendell Smallwood | Phi | 175.3 | 184.5 | -9.2 |
Kenneth Dixon | Bal | 147.3 | 157.3 | -10.0 |
Jordan Howard | Chi | 155.9 | 166.6 | -10.8 |
Ronnie Hillman | Den | 230.9 | 244.1 | -13.2 |
C.J. Spiller | NO | 213.8 | 227.3 | -13.5 |
DeAndre Washington | Oak | 154.0 | 168.4 | -14.4 |
Tim Hightower | NO | 230.8 | 245.7 | -15.0 |
Charcandrick West | KC | 176.1 | 192.0 | -15.9 |
C.J. Prosise | Sea | 138.5 | 155.2 | -16.7 |
Jay Ajayi | Mia | 77.0 | 94.1 | -17.1 |
Karlos Williams | Buf | 143.3 | 162.6 | -19.4 |
Kenyan Drake | Mia | 214.4 | 238.9 | -24.5 |
Josh Ferguson | Ind | 209.8 | 244.1 | -34.3 |
Josh Ferguson (-34.3)
Ferguson is a scatback and Frank Gore will never die. Gore is also a top-notch pass protector, so there isn't much opportunity for Ferguson get meaningful touches in Indy. He is a watch list candidate, though, that could carve out a niche in a comittee with Robert Turbin if Gore were to get hurt.
Karlos Williams (-19.4)
I will refrain from Karlos Williams fat jokes and just point out that the second-year back is suspended for four games, remains unsigned and shouldn't be on your draft board.
Jay Ajayi (-17.1), Kenyan Drake (-24.5)
We should probably believe the Dolphins when they tell us Ajayi is not their preferred feature back. Miami first sent signals by signing an offer sheet that Denver matched for C.J. Anderson, then they settled on Arian Foster later in the offseason. It's hard not to see Foster running away with the job, if healthy, which is always a big if. Neither back is making an ironclad case for the job in exhibition games, but if Ajayi continues to fall, he could become quite a bargain in the likely event Foster does miss time. The rookie Drake doesn't profile as an every down back and hasn't been able to get on the field in camp due to injury issues that also dogged him at Alabama.