Fantasy: 3 undecided backfields that will return value in drafts
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
With one week of fantasy drafts remaining before the 2017 season kicks off, most of the important position battles have been decided heading into the final night of preseason action Thursday.
However, there are a few backfield depth charts that remain unclear, creating a window of opportunity for fantasy owners who can accurately predict which running backs will rise to the top.
Seahawks
Projected starter: Thomas Rawls
Contenders: C.J. Prosise, Eddie Lacy, Chris Carson
When Eddie Lacy signed with the Seahawks it seemed like Seattle was giving him a chance to have a Marshawn Lynch-like rejuvenation in their offense. Lacy hit all the weight marks the team had set out for him, but when the preseason began it became evident the former Packer wasn't elusive enough to perform at a high level behind a subpar Seahawks line.
That allowed Thomas Rawls to reclaim the lead back role, and it's his name that is penciled in as the Seahawks starter at the moment. Unfortunately, Rawls and teammate C.J. Prosise have been sidelined with injuries, something that has plagued both players in their young careers.
Seventh-round rookie Chris Carson has capitalized on their absences, impressing coaches, fans, and analysts with his preseason play. Carson looks like a complete back and has been able to finish strong on his runs.
Pete Carroll said the team will let the competition play out before naming his Week 1 starter, which means it's not out of the realm of possibility that Carson gets the nod.
Draft advice: Rawls should be drafted as the starter and is a nice value at his eighth-round ADP. Prosise needs to prove he can stay healthy, but if he does he's guaranteed work as a third-down back, whose skill set could help open up the Seahawks' offense, making him a solid late-round pick.
Carson is worth a flier, until we find out the true depth chart for the regular season. That leaves Lacy, who's a recognizable name and will be scooped up by an owner at some point in the draft, just don't let that owner be you.
Patriots
Projected starter: Mike Gillislee
Contenders: Rex Burkhead, James White, Dion Lewis
Everyone wants to know who will fill the big back role in New England's high-scoring offense which allowed LeGarrette Blount to break into the end zone 18 times last year. Sadly, Bill Belichick isn't going to let us or anyone else know that before his team takes the field for the season opener.
It's frustrating for fantasy owners, who will be left guessing how the four backs will be deployed in 2017, but it's also driven down the price tag for each of the Patriots' ball carriers.
Gillislee is the most expensive of the bunch, as he continues to go around the end of the fifth or early sixth round. After that, you can snag Burkhead, White, or Lewis for next to nothing in the double-digit rounds.
Gillislee and Burkhead are the obvious choices for goal-line duties, with Burkhead offering a little more in the way of pass-catching and special teams play. White is primarily a receiving back, while Lewis has shown the ability to excel in all facets when healthy.
Draft advice: Belichick has always divided backfield touches up according to his weekly game plan, something that's likely to continue this season. That makes Gillislee a risk at his current ADP, but you can hedge your bet by selecting Burkhead later on.
White is an excellent pick in PPR leagues, but his upside is capped since he's not an effective inside runner. Lewis is normally hanging around at the end of drafts and is a worthwhile bench stash if you have the room.
There's also a crazy long shot that Blount gets cut by the Eagles and returns to New England. If you plan on investing in a Patriots back, you need to be prepared for anything.
Saints
Projected starter: Mark Ingram
Contenders: Adrian Peterson, Alvin Kamara
The Saints definitely wanted to improve their backfield in the offseason, leading them to sign Adrian Peterson and draft rookie Alvin Kamara. The moves left many owners questioning the team's commitment to incumbent starter Mark Ingram, who had finished as a top-15 fantasy back in each of the last three seasons.
Peterson has drawn some positive reviews in a Saints uniform, but his durability could be a problem at 32 years old. Kamara appears to be the back of the future in New Orleans, and might see a bigger share of touches than people realize in his first season. Even if both players see regular work, that doesn't necessarily mean Ingram's value takes a hit.
Ingram has shared a significant portion of the backfield touches with players like Tim Hightower, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller, and Pierre Thomas over the last few seasons. While Peterson and Kamara might be upgrades on those names, Ingram will still be the leader of the pack.
Draft advice: Ingram is being selected in the fifth round, outside of the top 20 fantasy backs. He even goes after Peterson in some cases, which is a mistake. Running back dries up quickly and Ingram is one of the few players in the mid-rounds with a legitimate shot at finishing as an RB1 in fantasy.
Peterson is worth a pick if he falls a round or two, but don't get caught up in his past production. This isn't the Vikings' AP.
Kamara is a great late-round target, who is an injury or two away from reaching his potential as a rookie.
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.