Late-Round Running Backs to Draft in Fantasy Football: Target Aaron Jones
Jorge Martin uncovered four running backs who are late-round targets in fantasy football drafts.
You need depth at running back. No matter how much people are talking about how the RBs have been healthy the past two seasons, you need some backup. And we’re not talking about RB handcuff options. We’re talking players who might be able to be startable on some weeks, even without the lead back getting injured.
We pored over the fantasy football rankings, ADP and fantasy football projections, and came up with some players that you’ll want to target in your fantasy football drafts.
Unlock Our Tools!
Stop hitting the paywall. FL+ gives you access to our premium in-depth content, expert rankings & projections, mock draft simulator, and all the tools you need – all personalized to your league.
Which Late-Round RBs to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts?
Aaron Jones | Vikings
Rank: RB40
ADP: 121.1
I get why Jordan Mason is a good pick this season. He’s a hard-nosed runner, and HC Kevin O’Connell has talked about establishing the ground game more, especially with that tough Brian Flores-led defense.
Then I looked at how many targets Mason saw last year: 16. And that was a career high. That’s what makes Aaron Jones at least somewhat intriguing in the 10th round. Our fantasy football projections have him drawing 131 carries and 44 targets (for 35 catches). All that totaling up to nearly 800 yards. For a player on the bench. Let’s ride.
Age (turns 32 in December) and injury history are concerns. He did miss six games last season. But if you can get a running back in the double-digit rounds who has dual-threat ability and can get over 150+ touches … What are we thinking?
Kyle Monangai | Bears
Rank: RB42
ADP: 108.0
This player could be a major bargain with some good health. Kyle Monangai hyperextended his knee in mid-August during training camp, but got back to running during practice on Sept. 2. Still no word that he’s fully cleared to practice and play, but progress is progress.
The Bears focus on the running game, and that will mean the occasional blowup game for Monangai, who in his two games seeing 20+ carries ran for 176 and 130 yards, respectively. D'Andre Swift got injured in practice on Sept. 3, though early word was that he suffered a cramp. Still, keep an eye on that situation.
This is the rare running game that could have two running backs who are fantasy viable with good health for both. Monangai is a good play to have on your bench for bye weeks and in case anything happens with Swift.
Keaton Mitchell | Chargers
Rank: RB45
ADP: 146.4
We’ve all heard of the “Help Wanted” poster that Mike McDaniel put all over the Chargers’ GM’s office during free agency. McDaniel got his man in Keaton Mitchell. There are few RBs faster than Mitchell, even after he suffered a torn ACL as a rookie.
He may be going in the 13th round, but there is good reason to stash him. The speed element. McDaniel craves it. Who were his top players at Miami? Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane. All were burners.
Don’t expect Achane-level of volume and production. The heavy workload is going to Omarion Hampton. Mitchell will get 5-10 touches per week, but in both the run and pass games. You’re craving touchdowns with him, mainly of the long-distance variety. He’s someone to play during bye weeks or in case starters were injured.
Jonah Coleman | Broncos
Rank: RB51
ADP: 143.6
This is a play for later in the season. Possibly. Jonah Coleman impressed during preseason, and was drafted into a backfield with some fragility. J.K. Dobbins is slated to start, and he did get a two-year contract extension during the offseason. He just hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his career. The tough injuries (ACL, Achilles) that ended his seasons are piling up, so it’s hard to expect him to play a full season. RJ Harvey looked more like strictly a pass-catching back, as he did not impress as the full-time RB when Dobbins went out.
Enter Coleman, all 5-foot-8, 220 pounds of him out of Washington. He’s the No. 3 back in the most recent Rookie Super Model. Should Dobbins get injured or take a step back, Coleman would appear to be the type of running back the Broncos are looking to replace him. This is one of those draft-and-hold players, who could get dropped early in the season for a waiver wire pickup. Try to hang on to him until the second half of the season, to see if his touches increase.
Unlock Our Tools!
Stop hitting the paywall. FL+ gives you access to our premium in-depth content, expert rankings & projections, mock draft simulator, and all the tools you need – all personalized to your league.
Players Mentioned in this Article
Published