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Andy Richardson

Handcuff running backs

Edmonds, Kelly merit late-round consideration

A couple of the rookie running backs have been drafted into situations where they have no chance of winning the starting job. The Rams selected John Kelly, the Cardinals selected Chase Edmonds (pictured). Those guys won't be beating out Todd Gurley or David Johnson.

But both have a strong chance of winning the No. 2 job on those rosters, and who knows? They're then just an injury away from starting a bunch of games as possible full-time running backs on those rosters.

I looked at the top 10 preseason running backs entering last season. To come up with the top 10, I used our Experts Poll results as printed in the preseason magazine. Here's how those 10 guys' seasons turned out.

2017's TOP 10 PRESEASON RUNNING BACKS
PlayerStarts?Result
David Johnson1Landed on IR. Adrian Peterson and Kerwynn Williams main backs in his absence
Ezekiel Elliott10Served six-game suspension; Alfred Morris had a few usable games
LeVeon Bell15When Bell sat out finale, Stevan Ridley rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown
LeSean McCoy16Started all season
Melvin Gordon16Started all season
Devonta Freeman14Missed two games; Tevin Coleman productive in them
Jordan Howard16Started all season
Jay Ajayi7Traded to Philadelphia; Kenyan Drake was better
DeMarco Murray15When Murray missed the finale, Derrick Henry went for 117 total yards a touchdown
Todd Gurley15When Gurley sat out the finale, Malcolm Brown rushed for 54 yards and caught 4 passes

So there's something to be said for having handcuff backs to fill in when starters go down or are traded. Maybe you'll have a nobody who doesn't get on the field as more than a change-of-pace. But maybe you'll have Kenyan Drake.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index