Fantasy Football: 5 Running Backs Who Will Disappoint In 2013

Fantasy Football: 5 Running Backs Who Will Dissapoint In 2013

With the passing game taking over the NFL, featured running backs are becoming extinct. Teams are approaching the running game by using multiple running backs rather than one workhorse, and this is impacting fantasy football tremendously. Because of the lack of featured backs, you must try to take one of the running backs that will get a ton of touches early in your draft. There simply aren't as many of them as there used to be.

That being said, you still must be careful who you choose. The running back position is very demanding, and the careers of these guys do not last very long. I am always trying to get ahead of the game by trying to predict which running backs are starting to break down. Obviously, injuries mostly come out of nowhere, but if you pay attention you can avoid guys who are approaching the downside of their career.

I will admit that this is risky. I pass up running backs in drafts who have a history of being productive. There are a few examples of this that I will get to later. For the most part recently, when a running back carried the ball a lot the season before, they have troubles the next season. As I said before, it is hard to predict injuries, but you can do your best by not targeting players who have been overworked.

Elite running backs are getting younger and younger by the season. Very rarely do we see guys now who are affective runners into their 30s like we used to. These NFL running backs are continually getting pounded on and it affects their careers.

With the lack of featured running backs in the NFL, you simply cannot afford to miss on the back you take in the first round. If you do miss, then you will almost surely be weak at the most important fantasy football position there is. Personally, I will take the guys that have fresh legs more often than not at the running back position. There has just been too much recent history of guys who were overworked and ended up breaking down. Here are 5 running backs who will disappoint you if you select them in your 2013 fantasy football drafts.

Daniel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @D_Schmelzer and add him to your network on Google.

Montee Ball, Denver Broncos

Obviously, as a rookie Montee Ball is not really a guy that I am worried about breaking down. He had a productive college career and running backs under Peyton Manning usually put up good numbers. That being said, I have seen Ball go as early as the 3rd round in some drafts. I simply will not take a rookie running back that high unless they are the best of the best. Yes, it does work out sometimes, but more often than not rookie running backs are not productive in their first season. Not to mention that Ronnie Hillman has been taking all of the first-team reps for the Denver Broncos so far. I understand why people like Ball, but I cannot take him where he is going.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Arian Foster has been a very productive running back for the past few years. I understand why some people take him as high the second overall pick in fantasy football drafts. That being said, I think Foster loses some value this season. His yards per carry average has been on a sharp decline the past few seasons. No matter how you look at it, that is not good. I think Foster is on the verge of the downside of his career. The Houston Texans have run him hard the past few years and it seems to be taking its toll. Including the playoffs, Foster carried the ball 405 times in 2012. There is a long history of guys whose careers take a downfall the season after so many carries. I have Foster ranked as my No. 8 running back heading into the season. I will probably not be owning him on any of my teams because I am afraid that his elite level production is a thing of the past.

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch has been very good since he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. I do not necessarily think that the 27-year-old Lynch is due for a breakdown like Foster, but I think his better days are behind him. I believe that the Seahawks are ready to put more responsibility on quarterback Russell Wilson which means less opportunity for Lynch. I think they will have a strong passing attack this season, and while Lynch should still be productive I am not taking him as a top 5 pick like he is going. Also, the Seahawks have two very capable backups in Robert Turbin and Christine Michael who may take some carries away from Lynch.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Not only was Ryan Mathews injured a lot last season, he was not that productive when he was healthy. Mathews had 184 carries for 707 yards and only one touchdown. He had a very disappointing 3.8 yards per carry average. Mathews is still being taken in the 5th or 6th round, but I will not be drafting him there. With the addition of Danny Woodhead I do not think that Mathews sees the field much during passing downs either. Personally, I am staying far away from Mathews.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens seem to be handing the offense over to Joe Flacco, and Bernard Pierce proved to be a very capable backup in 2012. Both of these things hurt Ray Rice's fantasy value for 2013. He will still get some work and I think he does have some life left in his legs, but gone are the days of top 3 fantasy production from Rice. Depending on who is available, I am fine taking Rice as a very late first round pick, but I would much rather have guys like C.J. Spiller, Jamaal Charles and Trent Richardson who go after Rice in most drafts that I have done.