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The running back position can make or break a fantasy team. If you drafted someone like Arian Foster or Doug Martin, then you quickly had to find another RB1. If you found someone special like Zac Stacy, things were looking up. Heading into 2014, it’s important to know who to draft and what position to draft them in.
Reaching for another running back for depth is a big mistake when a top-tier wide receiver is sitting right in front of you. With that being said, here are three buy-low candidates at the running back position that can provide depth without overreaching.
C.J. Spiller: There were a lot of running back busts this season. Whether it was from injury or general lack of production, not many were a bigger bust than Spiller. His average draft position in ESPN.com leagues was 10.4, end of the first round. His season got off to a rocky start. Fred Jackson scored 67 fantasy points in the first five games while Spiller scored 33 points.
However, Spiller finished the season leading all Buffalo Bills with 927 yards. Those stats are not worthy of a first-round pick in 2014. Jackson will be 33 in the upcoming season and is expected to slow down next season. Spiller will be healthier and more explosive. If Spiller falls to the third or fourth round, do not hesitate to draft him.
LeGarrette Blount: If I were to tell you in preseason that Blount would lead all New England Patriots running backs in fantasy points, you may have hit me. Stevan Ridley began the season as the starter, but fumbles cost him a lot of playing time. Brandon Bolden and Blount shared playing time, with Shane Vereen joining them late in the season.
Blount scored four touchdowns in the final two games. He is more of a bruising running back, plowing defenders over while Vereen is a speedy, pass-catching back. Ridley is the odd-man out in this trio. Blount won’t be rushing for 100 yards every game, but has a higher chance of scoring a goal-line touchdown. For someone who wasn’t drafted in 2013, Blount’s ceiling is high for next year.
Chris Ivory: For the New York Jets, Bilal Powell began the season as the starter. He played well early in the season, scoring three 10+ points in the first four weeks, but did not break double digits for the rest of the season. The former New Orleans Saints running back took over. Ivory had 143 rush attempts and three touchdowns from Weeks 7 to 16.
Ivory finished with 182 attempts for 833 yards and three scores. He is signed for two more years and will most likely be the starter in the upcoming season. With an ADP of 71.6, Ivory could be drafted as an RB3 with a starting spot locked up.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy football writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Mr_Piv1127.
