Fantasy Football: 5 Reasons Why RB Andre Ellington Will Be A Star In 2014
Andre Ellington: 2014 Fantasy Football Star
Most people did not think of Andre Ellington when rookie running backs were mentioned in 2013, but that will give fantasy football players a distinct advantage in their 2014 draft.
Even though Ellington was a sixth-round pick for the Arizona Cardinals, he plays like he should have been a first-round draft pick.
While playing for the Clemson Tigers in college, he was able to showcase his ability for NFL teams. Between 2011 to 2012, Ellington rushed for 2,259 yards, scored 19 rushing touchdowns, averaged over five rushing yards per carry and accumulated 341 receiving yards. One of the knocks on Ellington has been his size, but that did not limit him in having a strong rookie season in the pros.
Ellington may not have had as big a name as Eddie Lacy or Giovani Bernard in fantasy football, but he still had a strong rookie campaign. While splitting touches with Rashard Mendenhall, Ellington rushed for 652 yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry, scored three rushing touchdowns, had 371 receiving yards and caught one touchdown pass. He also had one game where he rushed for over 100 yards, and these numbers should be a sign of things to come.
Despite losing touches to Mendenhall, Ellington still finished the year with the same amount of fantasy points as the other Arizona rusher. If Ellington was able to double his carries in 2014, he would easily be able to finish as a top-10 running back.
While every other player in your draft may be drooling over Lacy, Le'Veon Bell or Zac Stacy, you should be heavily targeting Ellington. You will not only be able to draft him later then the players mentioned above, but he has the potential to have a better season than all of his fellow sophomore running backs.
Here are five reasons why Andre Ellington will be a star in fantasy football in 2014.
5. Offense Will Be Built Around Him
Bruce Arians recently stated that he wants to build the offense of the Cardinals around Andre Ellington. This is a great sign for Ellington to become a top fantasy football running back, and he should be able to double his production from last season.
4. Dual-Threat Running Back
Ellington really showcased his pass-catching ability in 2013 with 371 receiving yards on 39 receptions. He also averaged 9.5 yards per catch, so anytime Ellington is involved in the offense as a receiver, he is a threat.
3. Plays For Bruce Arians
Bruce Arians has been the position coach for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. To say he is offensive minded is an understatement. Arians understands the entire system of an offense, and that should help create more opportunities for Ellington.
2. Impressive Rookie Stats
His touchdown statistics may not look impressive, but he averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception. That means anytime he touches the ball, he is going to do something with it.
1. Won't Have To Share
Even if the Cardinals try to bring back Mendenhall from free agency, he may decline to play. Because of the injuries that Mendenhall has faced over the years, 2013 could have very well been his last season. With zero competition, Ellington will be the main man in Arizona.
Andre Ellington: 2014 Fantasy Football Star
Most people did not think of Andre Ellington when rookie running backs were mentioned in 2013, but that will give fantasy football players a distinct advantage in their 2014 draft.
Even though Ellington was a sixth-round pick for the Arizona Cardinals, he plays like he should have been a first-round draft pick.
While playing for the Clemson Tigers in college, he was able to showcase his ability for NFL teams. Between 2011 to 2012, Ellington rushed for 2,259 yards, scored 19 rushing touchdowns, averaged over five rushing yards per carry and accumulated 341 receiving yards. One of the knocks on Ellington has been his size, but that did not limit him in having a strong rookie season in the pros.
Ellington may not have had as big a name as Eddie Lacy or Giovani Bernard in fantasy football, but he still had a strong rookie campaign. While splitting touches with Rashard Mendenhall, Ellington rushed for 652 yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry, scored three rushing touchdowns, had 371 receiving yards and caught one touchdown pass. He also had one game where he rushed for over 100 yards, and these numbers should be a sign of things to come.
Despite losing touches to Mendenhall, Ellington still finished the year with the same amount of fantasy points as the other Arizona rusher. If Ellington was able to double his carries in 2014, he would easily be able to finish as a top-10 running back.
While every other player in your draft may be drooling over Lacy, Le'Veon Bell or Zac Stacy, you should be heavily targeting Ellington. You will not only be able to draft him later then the players mentioned above, but he has the potential to have a better season than all of his fellow sophomore running backs.
Here are five reasons why Andre Ellington will be a star in fantasy football in 2014.
5. Offense Will Be Built Around Him
Bruce Arians recently stated that he wants to build the offense of the Cardinals around Andre Ellington. This is a great sign for Ellington to become a top fantasy football running back, and he should be able to double his production from last season.
4. Dual-Threat Running Back
Ellington really showcased his pass-catching ability in 2013 with 371 receiving yards on 39 receptions. He also averaged 9.5 yards per catch, so anytime Ellington is involved in the offense as a receiver, he is a threat.
3. Plays For Bruce Arians
Bruce Arians has been the position coach for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. To say he is offensive minded is an understatement. Arians understands the entire system of an offense, and that should help create more opportunities for Ellington.
2. Impressive Rookie Stats
His touchdown statistics may not look impressive, but he averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception. That means anytime he touches the ball, he is going to do something with it.
1. Won't Have To Share
Even if the Cardinals try to bring back Mendenhall from free agency, he may decline to play. Because of the injuries that Mendenhall has faced over the years, 2013 could have very well been his last season. With zero competition, Ellington will be the main man in Arizona.
