Fantasy Football: Three Running Backs Who Are Overvalued By Their ADP

It can be much more difficult to find players who you think are overvalued as opposed to ones who are undervalued. Everyone can pick a sleeper, but not everyone can avoid the potential disasters. Here are three running backs that I would stay away from.

(ADP, or average draft position, is the average draft rankings of six well-known fantasy football websites. GB YPA, or good blocking yards per attempt, is the average amount of yards a player gains per rushing attempt when he gets good blocking on a play...in other words, when all of the O-Line's blocks are successful).

Steven Jackson - ADP 7 (7th RB Taken)

Now let's get something straight: Steven Jackson is going to get the ball. A lot. He should be in the top five in overall touches this year.

However, his upside is very limited. Last year the Rams had a serviceable QB in Marc Bulger, and a decent WR in Donnie Avery, which at least kept defenses somewhat honest. 

In 2010, they will start a QB who hasn't taken a snap in the NFL and have lost Donnie Avery for the season. Teams are going to be putting eight men in the box on every play, making things very difficult for Mr. Jackson.

He will have value, as he's the only playmaker on the team, but I can easily see him being in the mid-teens in fantasy scoring when all is said and done.

Beanie Wells - ADP 33 (16th RB Taken)

I think there are several negatives when it comes to the Arizona running back. 

First, it looks like he's going to be splitting carries with Tim Hightower. And he's going to lose them when they are most important: on third down—because he is not a good pass catching RB—and inside the 10-yard line, because he doesn't have a nose for the endzone like Hightower.

He is also prone to fumbling the ball. Coach Whisenhunt will have no problem benching him if this becomes a common occurrence. There's too much downside here for me to consider him as my No. 2 RB and there are better options at this draft position.

Joseph Addai - ADP 41 (20th RB Taken)

As most of you that read my article on undervalued running backs, you know that I am a huge fan of Donald Brown.  

Conversely, I am not a fan of Joseph Addai at all. The reason that he was in the top 15 in scoring last year was due to his 13 touchdowns scored. TD scores fluctuate wildly year-to-year though, and the odds of him getting into the endzone over a dozen times are very poor. The only place he has value is in the redzone.

His GB YPA was only 5.5 last year, close to the league worst. He dances around in the backfield way too much, and often gets stopped for minimal yardage. Adding to all of these fun facts is a concussion he received in game three of the preseason. A lot of downside to this player, and if you are going to draft an Indy running back, Brown is your guy, not Addai.

Next Article: Three Wide Receivers Who Are Overvalued By Their ADP

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