Joe Bielawa-FLICKR
We’re all looking to pitch that no-hitter in Fantasy Football. Undefeated season, win the championship and take home the prize.
But in reality you know that’s not going to happen. One week Aaron Rodgers is going to put up 5 points against a team like Buffalo and Jamaal Charles is going to leave midway through the second quarter while Odell Beckham Jr breaks off an 80-yard touchdown only to be called back by penalty. Yes this happens, and yes, it was to me last year. Your best bet is to put yourself into the highest viable position to win, and that’s with these two guys I think should be on your radar while drafting.
The first guy, CJ Anderson, will probably be a first rounder and depending on your position in the draft, you should be looking at him. What are two rules in life?
One: Peyton Manning‘s lead back is a scoring stud in Fantasy.
Two: Gary Kubiak‘s lead back is a scoring stud in Fantasy due to the Zone Scheme he runs.
Well this year the Broncos have both. The Kubiak kid is back on the Denver Broncos this time as Head Coach and he’s already running the Zone Blocking scheme, and we all know who’s behind Center; The Sheriff.
CJ Anderson put up a ridiculous stat line in the last 8 games. 849-yards on 179-attempts with 8 touchdowns giving him a 4.7-yards per carry average all due to teams not being able to stack the box against the Broncos’ Offense because of the aerial threat they possess. This guy could be a #1 Fantasy Running Back as well as leading the league in rushing and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
The second Running Back I’d like to point out is a well known, one hit wonder hopefully turning pro. CJ Spiller. (No, I didn’t realize both had the first name CJ until just now.) The biggest issue with Spiller is his health, but if healthy, looks like a bigger/stronger and just as fast 2009 Chris Johnson. (I’m noticing a trend with the C and the J in these RB’s as I write this.)
Spiller has always been on a bad offense. Being on Buffalo’s squad there isn’t much room to score, because.. well.. they don’t score much. Not having a good Quarterback means teams can stack 8 guys in the box and stuff the run. But no more! CJ finally inked his deal with the New Orleans Saints and has Drew Brees tossing the rock from the backfield, and much like with Manning, a defense can’t post up against the run if they’ve got an elite QB ready to deliver the long ball downfield. So let’s look at two main things:
- 1 – CJ Spiller will be Darren Sproles 2.0. That’s a fact, and get over it now. Sproles averaged 10-12 PPG in standard leagues and 14-16 PPG in PPR leagues while with the Saints. But CJ has one thing Sproles never did – the ability to pound the ball through the line and break off huge trips downfield.
- 2 – Last year Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet (who are both now gone) took in 90+ catches out of the backfield which are a CJ Spiller specialty. He’s known for coasting out of the backfield and floating around until he gets the dump ball only to churn downfield for 40 yards easily. With that shotgun oriented offense of the Saints, they spread the ball around a lot, meaning Mark Ingram won’t be in the game as much as Spiller.
Personally, getting CJ in the third round would be reaching, but if you’re in the back end of the fourth round searching for a RB, he had better be someone you’re ready to draft. Don’t miss on this guy and have your rival look like a genius for “risking a pick” on him.
Andrew Goettman is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook.
