Getty Images
The NFL season starts next Thursday and many fantasy football players will be having their drafts this weekend. Those players who have the No. 1 overall pick will have a lot of pressure on them to make the right pick as it will define their entire draft. And if you are one of the lucky few to own the first overall pick in your fantasy draft, you should not use that pick on LeSean McCoy.
McCoy was dominant in Chip Kelly’s offense last season, leading the league in rushing. And because he was rushing the ball so well, he made a huge impact in fantasy football. But it’s not wise for fantasy players to expect the same output from McCoy again this season.
There are a few things to be worried about when considering McCoy for your fantasy team. The first thing is his injury history. McCoy has been injured every year since he became the Philadelphia Eagles‘ primary rusher and has even had a nagging injury this preseason. He was able to hold up most of last season, even with an increased workload, but that seems to be a fluke compared to his former seasons. He seems due for an injury and you can’t afford to spend the top pick of your fantasy draft on a player who isn’t likely to play an entire season.
Another issue to consider with McCoy is the fact that Kelly’s offense likes to use multiple running backs. Last season the Eagles relied heavily on McCoy because they had no other alternatives. But the Eagles traded for Darren Sproles in the offseason and Kenjon Barner in the preseason giving them two capable change of pace backs. And with those two backs now in the equation, that likely means less playing time for McCoy and as a result, decreased stats.
So I’m selling on the idea of drafting McCoy with the first overall pick. He is too injury prone of a player and the Eagles have capable backups this year to take time away from him on the field. McCoy will still be an elite fantasy football option this year but not with other players like Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte primed for bigger years. It wouldn’t be smart to take McCoy with the first pick in your fantasy football draft.
Justin Broyles is a Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Tweets_ByJ, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
