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Fantasy Football 2018: Expectations for sophomore running backs

By Donnie Druin

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the New York Jets at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the New York Jets at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The rookie class of 2017 gave fantasy football players a spectacle to remember. So how will they follow suit in 2018?

There’s just something magical about watching a new guy wreck absolute havoc. If we didn’t know any better, we’d assume the likes of Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt were part of a Disney movie plot considering how magical their 2017 NFL seasons were. Why are we as fantasy football players so fascinated with pegging the breakout player nobody expects? Is it due to the fact that we enjoy watching fresh faces take over a league full of veteran players we know so well?

While the psychological aspect will be held for another day, one cannot deny the fun in watching an unproven rookie run rampant on defenses week after week. A phenomenal first year brings not only hope for the up and coming player, but expectations to not only replicate their success, but build on it as well.

There lies the problem so many rookies have: The failure to provide dessert after a gourmet meal.

Look no further than one of the best (and now most handsomely paid) in the business than Todd Gurley. Gurley’s rookie season featured 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in only 13 games played. Gurley immediately shot to the top of fantasy draft boards, with an average ADP (Average Draft Position) of 1.02, according to CBSSports.com.

His encore in 2016? A lowly 885 yards on 278 attempts with six touchdowns. Gurley also held the privileges of playing in all 16 games, while carrying the rock nearly 50 more times only to see his yards per carry drop from 4.8 to 3.2. Now, if you’ve been paying attention and held your seat on the Gurley hype train, 2017 was very kind to you, as Gurley went on a tear and now seems to have regained the magical touch that once dazzled fantasy footballers when he was but a young pup in the league.

However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The star-studded rookie class of 2017 will look to avoid the same plague that Gurley and so many others catch: The sophomore slump. While some will debate on the legitimacy of the supposed curse, the phenomena of tracking progress in year two is as important as ever in the realm of fantasy football.

Expectations for the super-sophomores heading into 2018:

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