Fantasy Index

header banner img
OUR FANTASY BASEBALL MAGAZINE IS BACK! PRE-ORDER NOW
Win here.

Around the NFL

Todd Gurley

Big contract off one of decade's best seasons

Todd Gurley got paid yesterday, a four-year, $60 million deal that's in the neighborhood of what the Steelers offered LeVeon Bell (reportedly) before the sides were unable to reach an agreement. It's a reward for what was one of the decade's very best seasons by a running back.

Gurley averaged 21.6 fantasy points per game last year (1 point for every 10 rushing or receiving yards, 6 for touchdowns). The only better season in the last 10 years was Chris Johnson in 2009. That's the year he rushed for 2,000 yards.

TOP RB FANTASY SEASONS, 2008-2017
YearPlayerStRunRecTDCurr
2009Chris Johnson, Tenn.1620065031621.7
2017Todd Gurley, LAR1513057881921.6
2013Jamaal Charles, K.C.1512876931920.8
2016David Johnson, Ariz.1612398792020.7
2010Arian Foster, Hou.1616166041820.6
2016LeVeon Bell, Pitt.121268616920.2
2011Arian Foster, Hou.1312246171219.7
2016Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.1516313631619.7
2012Adrian Peterson, Minn.1620972171319.3
2009Jamaal Charles, K.C.91004177919.1
2014DeMarco Murray, Dall.1618454161319.0
2011LeSean McCoy, Phil.1513093152018.8
2011Ray Rice, Balt.1613647041518.6
2009Adrian Peterson, Minn.1613834361818.1
2014Arian Foster, Hou.1312463271318.1
2014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.1613618541118.0
2017Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.10983269917.9
2015DeAngelo Williams, Pitt.108013201117.8
2015Devonta Freeman, Atl.1310135151317.8
2008DeAngelo Williams, Car.1615151212017.7
2013LeSean McCoy, Phil.1616075391117.5
2010Darren McFadden, Oak.1311575071017.4
2017LeVeon Bell, Pitt.1512916551117.4
2011Fred Jackson, Buff.10934442617.4
2008Michael Turner, Atl.161699411717.3
2009Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.1613913741617.0
2017Alvin Kamara (C), N.O.136707501316.9
2014Marshawn Lynch, Sea.1613063671716.8
2012Arian Foster, Hou.1614242171716.6
2013Matt Forte, Chi.1613395941216.6
2012Doug Martin, T.B.1614544721216.5
2011Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.1616063741116.5
2009Frank Gore, S.F.1411204061316.5
2016Melvin Gordon, S.D.139974191216.4
2016LeSean McCoy, Buff.1512673561416.4
2010Adrian Peterson, Minn.1512983411316.1

Now all Gurley needs to do is stay healthy. If he does, that contract will be the template for big paydays for Bell, David Johnson, and top running backs to come.

If not, teams will likely nod and say, this is why we don't give running backs huge deals.

Johnson and Gurley's seasons, by the way, sneak them into the top 1o for this century. Here are the eight seasons that were better than theirs since 2000. (Per-game; note that a couple of these were actually half-seasons.)

TOP RB FANTASY SEASONS, 2000-2017
YearPlayerStRunRecTDCurr
2005Larry Johnson, K.C.913512761729.4
2000Marshall Faulk, St.L.1413598302626.8
2002Priest Holmes, K.C.1416156722426.6
2006LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.1618155083126.1
2004Priest Holmes, K.C.88921871524.7
2001Marshall Faulk, St.L.1413827652124.5
2003Priest Holmes, K.C.1614206902723.3
2005Shaun Alexander, Sea.161880782822.7

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index