There is perhaps no bigger boost than drafting a mid-to-late-round running back who blossoms into an RB1. It’s the equivalent of winning the lottery in fantasy football and can dramatically improve your team’s chances of winning a title.
Last year, there were a handful of running backs taken outside the top 24 at the position who paid off in a big way. Miles Sanders, Tony Pollard and Rhamondre Stevenson were all drafted as RB3s and finished inside the top 13 in half-PPR leagues (I’m counting Sanders even if he technically wasn’t an RB1, he delivered great value).
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Fantasy Football Running Backs With Upside: Khalil Herbert
Who could be those draft day gems in 2023? Since ADP data isn’t exactly useful in mid-May, let’s take a look at our Expert Consensus Rankings to identify those potential home runs who are currently ranked as RB3s.
Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI): ECR RB31
I wish I could be more excited about Khalil Herbert this season. He was a player I hyped quite a bit in 2022, and while the backfield takeover didn’t quite come to fruition, Herbert still rushed for 731 yards and showed glimpses of a featured back in the making. He outperformed David Montgomery when he got his opportunities, and I still believe in his talent.
But then the Bears signed D’Onta Foreman. And then they drafted Roschon Johnson in the fourth round. And suddenly a backfield that looked wide open now could be cluttered.
Foreman will probably be a thorn in Herbert’s side — actually more like a steak knife — which is incredibly disappointing. And while Johnson might play more of a special teams role as a rookie, there’s a lot to like about his game and his leadership. The hope is Herbert dazzles in training camp and ultimately earns a greater workshare.
If he can shake his way out of a timeshare, there’s a legitimate chance Herbert delivers a huge fantasy season. And if you believe the Bears are poised for a big leap offensively, then you’ll likely want a piece of the backfield. And I believe Herbert’s the best back to roster on your teams.
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