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It’s hard to imagine a more perfect situation for Montee Ball to be drafted into than the one with the Denver Broncos.
Ball will enter one of the league’s most explosive offenses with an immediate opportunity to take over the starting running back role. His abilities make him a dangerous red zone threat with a knack for finishing tough runs, a perfect asset for the Broncos to utilize right away.
Ball might not be high on fantasy draft sheets at the moment, but he could be the biggest steal of your fantasy draft and the NFL‘s most productive rookie running back by the end of 2013.
Ball totaled 61 touchdowns in his last two seasons at the University of Wisconsin and averaged 5.6 yards per carry in his career there. Quite simply, he was an absolute machine throughout college. Though college skill sets don’t always translate to success in the NFL, Ball has everything it takes to be effective right from the start with the Broncos.
His toughness and durability make him reliable, and his nose for the end zone makes his fantasy upside enormous. He has the size and strength to be an effective pass blocker, and he rarely fumbles the football. All in all, there’s very little for the Broncos to dislike about Ball and there’s no reason he shouldn’t have a big rookie year.
Though it’s not guaranteed that Ball will land the Week 1 starting spot, it’s safe to assume that he’ll get his share of touches and emerge as a starter at some point in the season if all goes as planned.
Being in an offense led by Peyton Manning is a big luxury for Ball, as the Broncos will have many red zone opportunities and Manning audibles to the run very frequently. If Ball starts at running back for the majority of the year, he could be a top-10 fantasy back. If he’s available in one of the middle rounds, grab him while you can. He’ll be the steal of the draft.
Jesse Schwartz is an NFL Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
