Top 5 Fantasy Running Backs 2019-20 season
The past couple of seasons the running back position has become the most important position on the field and in fantasy football. This is my prediction of the top 5 NFL running backs in the 2019-20 season.
1. Saquon Barkley
Last season, the Giants were one of the worst teams in the NFL going 5 - 11 in the regular season. The only bright part to that team was Saquon Barkley who put up outstanding numbers, rushing for 11 touchdowns, racking up 1,307 yards over 261 attempts. He received 4 touchdowns; 721 receiving yards over 91 receptions. Saquon also won Rookie of the Year and made it to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. Last year, Saquon averaged 0.94 touchdowns and 126 scrimmage yards per game. On average, Saquon would get you 18 points per game in fantasy and that was only as a rookie. This is going to be his sophomore season and he is only 22 years old, meaning he is yet to peak.
2. Todd Gurley
Last season, the Rams had an outstanding season going 13 - 3 in the regular season; making it to the Super Bowl. Todd Gurley was one of the top offensive players in the NFL last season since he was in the races for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Todd Gurley rushed for 17 touchdowns and finished his season with 1,251 rushing yards, all in which he gained through 256 attempts. Also, Gurley received 4 touchdowns and earned 580 receiving yards through 59 receptions. Gurley suffered a brutal injury in the postseason last year, which may reduce his production rate. This showed in the Super Bowl when Gurley rushed for only 35 yards over 10 carries and scored 0 touchdowns. Gurley was second in yards per game with an average of 89.4 yards, 3rd in yards per season, and 10th in yards per carry last season with an average of 4.9 yards.
3. Christian McCaffrey
Last season, the Panthers had a disappointing record of 7 - 9 and they barely missed the playoffs even though they started off the season 6 - 2. They were beginning to look like the 15 - 1 Panthers we saw in 2015. Christian McCaffrey was a star last season, rushing for 7 touchdowns and a total of 1,098 yards, all in which he gained through 219 carries. McCaffrey also had 6 receiving touchdowns and a total of 867 receiving yards, all earned through his 107 receptions. McCaffrey was tied for 9th in yards per carry last season, averaging 5 yards per carry. This season, the Panthers have put together a successful team and if they can stay at the level we saw in the first 8 games last season, then McCaffrey can say he is a contender for the number 1 running back in the NFL.
4. Ezekiel Elliott
Last season, the Cowboys were a successful team; going 10 - 6 and having the first seed in the NFC East. The Cowboys made it to the semi-finals in the NFC but, they lost to the Rams who were a powerhouse of a team. Last season, Elliott rushed for 6 touchdowns and 1,434 yards, all of which he gained over 304 carries. Elliott also received 3 touchdowns and a total of 567 receiving yards, all earned over 77 receptions. Elliott led the league in rushing yards. He is tied for 2nd in 20 plus rushes with 11, and he was 1st for yards per game with 95.6 yards.
5.Alvin Kamara
Last season, the Saints went 13 - 3, but they lost to the Rams in the NFC championship. Alvin Kamara rushed for 14 touchdowns and 883 yards, all through 194 carries. Kamara received 4 touchdowns and received a total of 709 yards, all of which he earned through 81 receptions. After winning Rookie of The Year in 2017, Kamara has always put up great stats with the Saints. Kamara is second in the NFL for touchdowns last season, having 14 rushing touchdowns. Kamara has a veteran quarterback; Drew Brees. Brees was in the races for the Offensive Player of the Year award last season. Also, since Mark Ingram left the Saints, Kamara is now the main running back in New Orleans, allowing him to maximize his stats.
Stats - espn.com
