As Fantasy Football season draws closer, it's time to start thinking about the best players to target and avoid. In previous articles, I took a look at the most underrated and overrated wide receivers and tight ends. A recent article also took a look at four of the most overrated running backs in fantasy football. This article will be about the opposite end of the spectrum, as I analyze the four most underrated Running Backs for 2017.
1. Spencer Ware.
Now that Jamaal Charles is gone in Kansas City, Spencer Ware should take over number 1 running back duties for the Chiefs.
Rookie Kareem Hunt will likely play a role, but that shouldn't stop Ware from getting plenty of chances for fantasy production. The Chiefs run the ball a ton, and the top fantasy back should easily crack the top 10 of all fantasy running backs. Currently Ware is being drafted as RB17, around the 35th overall pick. Draft him a little earlier and reap the rewards.
2. Matt Forte.
Fantasy owners drafted Jets running back Matt Forte relatively early last season, and expected a high level of production last year. They were instead greeted with extremely inconsistent production. From weeks 7-10, Forte scored double digits fantasy points, but he only did that two other times all season. His best performance came in a three touchdown game in week 2 against the Bills, but by the end of the season he was losing touches to Bilal Powell.
Playing for the Jets hurts his value, but Forte is being drafted so late that it's worth taking a chance on him. Because his ADP is around 100, it's worth taking a chance on Forte, who could easily end up being the starter in New York.
3. Jamaal Williams.
Ever heard of this guy? Didn't think so. The Packers drafted the BYU rookie with their fifth round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and he will likely compete with Ty Montgomery for the starting running back spot.
Montgomery was OK in 2017 and a serviceable flex play, but the Packers drafted Williams for a reason. I'd expect Williams to get the goal line carries and be more of a bruiser than Ty Montgomery could be. Players in the Packers offense generally have more chances to score, and I don't expect that to change in 2017, which means Williams should have plenty of chances for fantasy production.
Williams is going very late in most drafts and would be a low risk, high reward selection right now.
4. Mike Gillislee.
The Patriots didn't sign the former Buffalo Bills running back for no reason; they signed him to be a replacement for LeGarrette Blount, who scored 18 touchdowns and was the 6th best running back in fantasy football last year. That production will have to go somewhere, and Gillislee is the most likely beneficiary, as the other running backs on the Patriots will likely be featured in the passing game. Gillislee had one of the highest yards per carry averages with the Buffalo Bills last season, and opposing teams knew Buffalo was running the ball. Imagine how successful Gillislee can be in a Patriots offense that throws the ball much more!
ESPN has severely underrated Gillislee, but the folks at Fantasy Football Calculator aren't as foolish. Gillislee is being drafted around the 51st overall pick, but he could definitely be drafted even earlier.
