Must Own Rookie Running Backs in Redraft Leagues

If you’re looking for first year production out of your rookie running backs, look no further. These are my 5 top-5 rookie picks for redraft leagues.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
-Steps into the most dynamic offense in the league as a 3-down, pass-catching back
-Not the fastest back (4.60 forty), but wins with explosiveness, contact-balance and shiftiness
-OC Eric Bienemy not concerned with pass blocking, the main concern scouts had coming in
–Damien Williams has never had more than 141 touches in a season in his 6 seasons in the NFL, and he’s only played 16 games in 3 of those

Jonathan Taylor, Colts
-96th percentile SPARQ athlete with 4.39 speed
-Since 2017, Taylor’s 3,921 yards after contact are the most in college football, by 941 yards
-Playing behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL
-Better in between the tackles runner than Marlon Mack, and he’s a capable pass-catcher who improved every year in college

D’Andre Swift, Lions
-77 missed tackles caused since 2018
-20% of Swift’s carries as a senior went over 10 yards, the best mark in his class
–Kerryon Johnson has only played 8 and 10 games in his only 2 seasons in the NFL
-Swift averaged 7.8 yards per carry behind Nick Chubb and Sony Michel as a freshman

Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers
-Averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2019
-Led the SEC in rushing yards after contact(4.4 yards) for last 2 seasons
-28 receptions as a senior, bodes well for Tom Brady‘s short passing game
–Ronald Jones isn’t trusted in pass-protection, which is why he never overtook Peyton Barber

Cam Akers, Rams
-Went over 1,000 yards twice in 3 years behind a less than average FSU offensive line
-Caused 74 missed tackles last season(9th most in FBS) behind that line
-3.9 yards of 4.9 yards per carry average came after contact
-This is important because L.A. has a suspect line and needs someone who will fight for yards
–Malcolm Brown played ahead of Darrell Henderson in the one game Todd Gurley missed last year (67% of snaps), and Akers is a better version of Brown