Denver Broncos: Avoid Montee Ball In Fantasy Football At All Costs

Montee Ball likely spent his best football playing days in college and should be avoided in all fantasy football drafts.

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Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak understands that you need two good running backs in today’s NFL. That said, coach Kubiak still adheres to an older mindset to some extent, thus, don’t expect Ball to be utilized much.

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“I can tell you this, I believe in the (bell cow),” Kubiak stated via the Denver Post. “I think if a guy goes out there and he shows he can play three downs, can protect the quarterback, and can handle it, then he should stay out there,” said Kubiak.

After coming off of an injury riddled season that saw him start only three games due to poor performance and a severe groin injury which put him on season-ending IR December, 14, 2014; don’t expect Ball to overtake C.J. Anderson or Ronnie Hillman in the backfield.

Kubiak has worked with bell cow backs such as Arian Foster in the past, and even turned a career backup Justin Forsett into one in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens. Kubiak likes a versatile back and Anderson fully embodies this role. Once decided on a starting running back, that man will get the majority of the touches in his system.

This spells disaster for the NCAA career and single-season rushing TD record-holder Ball. Ball is both slower and not as good of a blocker as Anderson. He’s also proven to be both injury and fumble prone in his two NFL seasons. His fumble rate is what will likley make Kubiak hesitant to put Ball in during goalline situations.

Hillman had a great day on Thursday with the number one offense in getting to the edge quickly and breaking multiple big runs.

Expect to see Anderson win the starting job and Hillman be used as the backup in most circumstances. Ball will likely end up as a third wheel who gets minimal touches and (at best) a waiver-wire pick up to stash in case of injury.

Will Reeve is a contributing writer to NFL Spin Zone, you can follow him on Twitter@WillReeveJr or connect with him on Facebook here.

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