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Bill Anderson | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer
Positions: RBs | WRs

PPR Stars - Running Backs
Valuable Running Backs in Point Per Reception Leagues
8/21/16

Point Per Reception, or PPR leagues, are becoming more popular with each passing year, and while the scoring change is relatively easy to get used to, a change in strategy also has to be accounted for. PPR owners should take note of certain RBs and WRs who can change your draft strategy and target earlier than you would in a standard scoring league. I have the players broken down into four categories; stars, specialists, sleepers, and slackers.

Stars – established players with solid value in all league formats but are even more valuable in PPR leagues.

Specialists – players lacking in standard scoring league appeal, but become solid contributors in PPR leagues and in some cases, stars.

Sleepers – players normally available late in your draft that with potential to become valuable PPR options.

Slackers – players that may be solid picks in standard scoring leagues but whose value takes a hit in PPR scoring leagues.

Note: Current ADP’s based on 12 team PPR scoring leagues

Stars:

Mark Ingram (ADP 2.12)

While Ingram was not much of a pass-catcher his first four seasons in the NFL, he burst into PPR owners hearts last year with 50 receptions in just 12 games, good enough for eighth-best at the position and one of just two running backs to register 150-plus carries and 50-plus receptions. Already a solid pick in standard leagues, Ingram gets a nice boost in PPR leagues as a solid low-end RB1 that produces on the ground and through the air. With the Saints RB depth chart largely remaining the same from last season, their defense still being suspect, and their offense still being pass-heavy, I expect another 50-plus reception season from Ingram. Still just 26 years old and surrounded by talent, Ingram is in the prime of his career and could very well have a monster season, especially in PPR formats. At his draft position you have flexibility in your strategy by drafting him in the late 2nd round as the 9th RB off the board, with a high probability of him returning RB1 value in PPR leagues.

David Johnson

David Johnson is an RB1 in any format, including PPR.

David Johnson (ADP 1.07)

Johnson’s ADP doesn’t change much between standard and PPR leagues but he has a real shot at being PPR’s No.1 running back this year. Johnson didn't have a substantial role in the Cardinals offense until Week 13 last season but still managed 36 receptions for 457 yards and 4 touchdowns. Coming out of college, Johnson was one of the most polished pass-catching backs in the country and his size and speed combination has led to as many big plays in one season as many players have in a career. Last season Johnson led all running backs in fantasy points per touch and was one of just two players to score at least one touchdown on the ground, through the air, and on a kick return. With more volume coming his way Johnson is sure to shine in any scoring format but as a real threat for 50-plus receptions making Johnson this year’s top PPR RB.

Specialists:

Duke Johnson (ADP 5.05)

In his rookie year Johnson played in all 16 games and only totaled 379 yards rushing so in standard leagues he didn’t exactly help your cause, but PPR league owners know Johnson well. He caught 61 balls for 534 yards and added 2 receiving touchdowns while displaying excellent hands and shifty open-field moves. Johnson will retain his role as the Browns primary receiving back and should also add to his carry total this season, as new Head Coach Hue Jackson will focus on the run game. With the Browns defense shaky at best, Cleveland may be throwing a ton in the second half of many games, meaning Johnson will see his usage increase. In PPR leagues Johnson is a high upside, high floor pick in the early to mid-fifth round.

Theo Riddick (ADP 8.11)

Riddick goes extremely late (ADP 12.03), or sometimes not at all in standard league drafts but PPR owners need to have him on your radar. Riddick’s role in the run game likely won’t increase from last season when he only totaled 133 yards on 43 carries, but his 80 receptions tied Danny Woodhead for the most at the position including ten games of 5 or more catches. This season Riddick should approach similar numbers, as his role remains intact. While Riddick has a fairly low ceiling, his contribution in PPR leagues is very valuable as a flex player or even a starting RB for those who prefer the Zero-RB draft strategy. While Riddick is not a sexy pick, getting consistent production can be just as valuable as choosing high risk/high reward players.

Sleepers:

Bilal Powell (ADP 9.08)

Powell managed nearly 11 touches per game last season on his way to racking up just over 700 total yards in a backup role. With Matt Forte in town, many owners have dismissed Powell this season but Forte (30) is certainly in the decline phase of his career and is presently nursing a hamstring injury. In PPR leagues Powell doesn't need to be the starter to have value, as he put up 12-plus fantasy points in six games last season without being the lead running back. With two top notch receivers to keep the defense honest, Powell should benefit from dump off passes and screens and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has been known to work wonders with running backs that can catch the football. If Forte would succumb to an injury, Powell could conceivably earn an even larger workload and be a sneaky top 12 back in juicier matchups. For a late 9th round investment, Powell makes an excellent choice with a relatively high floor.

Jerick McKinnon (ADP 12.05)

Many fantasy owners simply look at McKinnon as a handcuff for Adrian Peterson owners (which he is), but I see serious value and sleeper potential for all owners in PPR leagues. McKinnon’s usage totals don’t wow anybody; with just over 200 total touches in two seasons, this of course is why he is so cheap. A closer look and a small leap of faith reveals some potential. McKinnon has increased both his yards per carry (4.8 to 5.2) and his yards per catch (5.0 to 8.2) in his first two seasons. While very raw out of college, McKinnon is now entering his third season, where it often “clicks” for less “refined” players and athletically McKinnon is already one of the leagues’ most impressive players. Of course the sky is the limit for McKinnon if Peterson would go down with injury, as he could potentially be a complete three-down back, but there is serious PPR potential even without that scenario. This is shaping up to be the year the Vikings slowly transition to being Teddy Bridgewater’s team, rather than Peterson’s. With the discussion of more passing, more shotgun sets, and better outside weapons I could easily see a significant uptick in McKinnon’s usage, regardless of Peterson’s health or performance. With big play potential and an increased role I could see McKinnon as a viable flex option with the potential for much more.

Slackers:

Matt Jones (ADP 5.06)

Anyone that read my Buy or Sell article knows I’m not a big Matt Jones fan, but in PPR leagues I downright avoid him at all costs. While Jones has decent hands for a big back and theoretically has the workload to be a fantasy stud, I don’t see the consistency or the talent to warrant a pick in the first five rounds of a PPR draft. It should be clear to anyone that watched Redskins games last year that Chris Thompson was the more explosive player and should easily lead this backfield in receptions this season. Jones did catch 19 balls last year but about a third came in games Thompson missed. With ball security issues, a low ypc average (3.4), and a lackluster preseason, Jones is on a short leash and running back is an easily replaceable position. With so many receiving backs available, owners should take the advantages that PPR scoring gives and trust better values like Theo Riddick and Charles Sims rather than roll the dice with a potential bust like Jones.

Jeremy Hill (ADP 6.09)

After an inconsistent season, Hill hasn’t generated much among fantasy owners, possibly making him a solid value in standard leagues, but in PPR I have him firmly in the slacker category due to talent and Giovani Bernard. Hill is a solid between the tackles runner and at times has looked like a top ten back in the league, but his receiving skills are average at best. After catching just 15 passes in 2015, Hill is a TD-dependent fantasy talent which is just the opposite kind of player you want in PPR leagues. Bernard on the other hand, does not score a lot of touchdowns (17 total in three years) but is averaging nearly 50 receptions per season and with a lack of receiving talent outside of A.J. Green, 70 is not an unrealistic number for him. You never feel safe starting Hill in PPR leagues and value-wise you are simply not getting what you pay for.

Wide Receivers