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Tennessee Titans fantasy focus: DeMarco Murray

By Dale Lolley

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: DeMarco Murray runs for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: DeMarco Murray runs for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DeMarco Murray rejuvenated his career in 2016 with the Tennessee Titans, but what is his fantasy football outlook for the upcoming 2017 season?

After a slow first two weeks last season, Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray turned into one of the surest things among running backs in fantasy football in his first year in Nashville. Given his track record, it wasn’t too out of the blue. But after a down season in 2015 in Philadelphia when he averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, it was a nice rebound.

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The 1,287-yard season Murray posted in 2016 marked the third time in the past four seasons he has topped 1,000 yards. He added another 377 yards on 53 receptions, making him a strong fantasy player in both yardage and PPR leagues.

But with the Titans having added several new receiving weapons and with young Derrick Henry now in his second season, should we expect a lesser year out of Murray?

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In his first eight games last season, Murray averaged 116 total yards and one touchdown per outing. That tailed off in the second half to 89 yards and half a touchdown in the second half. Henry’s emergence played a part in that. Henry averaged just under seven rushing attempts per game in the first eight games. That rose to 9.5 in the second half.

And with Murray now 29 years old, we can expect the Titans to use Henry even a little more this season. What will that do to Murray’s fantasy value? Probably not all that much.

The Titans also match up against the tough run defenses in the AFC North and NFC West, which could affect his value. Those factors could be enough to push Murray out of the first round in most fantasy drafts. In fact, 4for4.com, has Murray rated just outside the first round in both a 10- and 12-team format.

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That’s no knock on Murray or his talents. Most would consider themselves lucky to grab, say, Devonta Freeman or Mike Evans in the first round and still get Murray. Even with Henry and the Titans’ other improved weapons, Murray should still get between 250 and 300 touches this season.

He just might not get the 350 that he got last season.

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