Todd Gurley Comments on 2016 Fantasy Football Draft Position

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley is expecting big things for himself in 2016. So big, in fact, that when he was asked where he should be chosen in fantasy football drafts, he didn't hesitate to advocate for himself to be the top overall pick. 

"Oh, No. 1 overall, for sure," Gurley said on NFL Network's NFL Total Access on Friday, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I mean you maybe could choose AB. You maybe could choose Antonio Brown over me, but that's about it. Nobody else. ... Maybe Cam [Newton], that's it. Cam and AB."

Gurley certainly started his NFL career with a bang, rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015 despite missing the first three games of the season. Only Adrian Peterson (1,485) and Doug Martin (1,402) rushed for more yards last season, and only Peterson, Devonta Freeman, Jeremy Hill and DeAngelo Williams (11 each) rushed for more touchdowns.

Plus, the Rams bolstered their passing game by drafting quarterback Jared Goff No. 1 overall in this year's NFL draft. The hope will be that the Rams can loosen up opposing defenses with more of a threatening passing game while still relying on Gurley to carry the load. That should mean the young star will see a ton of touches this season. 

So there's certainly a justification for taking Gurley No. 1 overall, though he's a risky selection. A healthy Le'Veon Bell is a viable top overall pick, bolstered by his dual-threat ability out of the backfield in one of the NFL's best offenses.

Peterson, meanwhile, continues to produce for the Minnesota Vikings, even at the age of 31. He's rushed for at least 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns seven times in his nine-year career and has shown little sign of slowing down anytime soon.

As for Gurley's other picks for No. 1 outside of himself, Antonio Brown is a viable option for fantasy owners, considering he's caught an incredible 375 passes for 5,031 yards and 31 touchdowns the past three seasons. He's the league's top wide receiver and arguably the most reliable player in fantasy football, period. 

Cam Newton probably isn't a smart pick with the top overall selection, however, given how deep the quarterback position is in fantasy football.

With far more question marks on the board at running back, it's probably wiser to focus on that position with the top overall pick than quarterback. Gurley is certainly in that mix and, at the worst, should be the third running back off the board in fantasy drafts this summer.

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