Fantasy Football: Dave Richard Breaks Down Running Backs For 2015
Running back is typically the most important position in fantasy football, so you don't want to get those picks wrong - especially in the first two rounds.
Fantasy football guru Dave Richard joined Toucher & Rich Thursday morning to offer fantasy football advice all over the field, but mainly focused on the running back position. He's high on Adrian Peterson this season as he returns after sitting out all but one game in 2014, saying he would take him third overall after the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell and the Packers' Eddie Lacy.
One of the riskier running back picks in 2015 is the Eagles' DeMarco Murray, who is coming off a fantasy MVP season but stands to see a much lighter workload than the 449 touches he got with the Cowboys in 2014. Also, running backs coming off 300-carry seasons (Murray had 392 in 2014) tend to break down the following year.
SEE ALSO: Beware: These Fantasy Football 'Sleepers' Aren't As Strong As You Think
Richard is also skeptical of LeSean McCoy's effectiveness as a runner in Rex Ryan's system. Can an east-west runner like McCoy be trusted to go north-south on a consistent basis?
Rookie running back Melvin Gordon has a good opportunity on the San Diego Chargers, but Richard sees Danny Woodhead stealing too many touches from him to justify using a high pick. Richard said he would feel better about the Redskins' Alfred Morris or the Cowboys' Joseph Randle with a fourth round pick.
Speaking of rookie running backs, where has Tampa's Doug Martin been since his outstanding rookie season? Despite offensive line question marks, Richard likes Martin as a "post-hype" sleeper in round 6 or 7.
Another high-risk, high-reward pick entering 2015 is the Texans' Arian Foster, who is an elite runner when healthy but might not be ready to play this season until around week 10. Richard like Alfred Blue as a mid-round pick, if only for the opportunity he has in their offense.
Richard also doles out advice for drafting quarterbacks this season, and how to approach trading draft picks before the season. Listen to the full podcast below.