The 100 Most Overrated Athletes of All Time - Bleacher Report The Top Ten. The depth behind Ekeler is average, but there are enough players to steal touches. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was used as a space player last year, and his lack of a red-zone presence placed a ceiling on his fantasy value. Every Prem club's most overrated player and Arsenal fans must end Running back Chris Wells of the Arizona Cardinals was a first-round draft pick, 31st overall, in 2009 who always seemed to be on the injured list year after year. Draft capital is not a predictor of talent as much as a predictor of opportunity. Jamal Lewis 18. Ronaldinho is also one of the finest players of all time and the global icon dazzled with his Brazilian flair for across Europe, most notably for Barcelona and AC Milan. Links to similar discussions on other positions: The flip side of succeeding with value players is failing with overvalued players. Even if he receives most of the early-down and passing game work, it still wont be very valuable on a putrid offense. Links to similar discussions on other positions: 12 Quarterbacks11 Tight Ends28 Wide Receivers25 Running Backs, 10 Quarterbacks12 Tight Ends23 Wide Receivers25 Running Backs, 9 Quarterbacks11 Tight Ends15 Wide Receivers13 Running Backs. And free-agent acquisitions Mark Ingram II and Rex Burkhead didnt even play. Jeff Haseley: It's easy to succumb to the notion that Saquon Barkley is one of the best running backs in the league. Jonathan Morris: I can't endorse a high pick on Javonte Williams when he will yield a lot of work to Melvin Gordon III. Malcolm Brown is one of the least-sexy names in fantasy football, but NFL teams sure seem to love him. It looked like Williams would consolidate the lead role in the offseason. In 2019, the Lions tried to steal him away with a restricted free agent offer. Investing in Sanders as your RB2 is likely to leave you feeling disappointed. He rewarded those believers with an RB18 PPG season. However, Melvin Gordon III returning is the lynchpin for tepid upside expectations outside of a Gordon injury. They traded up in the draft to select Javonte Williams and, without the large contract, may have already released the former Charger. Austin Ekeler, LA Chargers | Consensus Rankings RB9 | Consensus Projections RB9. The only other way for one of them to achieve high-end RB1 value would be an injury that allows the other to see an increased workload. These players will not put up stats commensurate to their draft spot, and avoiding them is another of the important keys to a successful fantasy team. There's too much risk to draft him as an ever-week starter. Here are the players who received the most votes: And here are all of the payers mentioned and the reasons why. Even when Barkley was a big fantasy hit, it took big plays that can be very mercurial from year to year to make it happen. No one can take away his heroics stepping in for Christian McCaffrey, and he was rewarded in the offseason when Atlanta presumably signed him to be new coach Arthur Smith's feature back. Even if Winston wins the competition and keeps the New Orleans passing game afloat, Kamara will have a hard time repeating last year's 21 total touchdowns. Derrick Henry, Tennessee | Consensus Rankings RB4 | Consensus Projections RB4. Jeff Haseley: Clyde Edwards-Helaire has all of the tools and skills to be a successful fantasy back but failing to finish runs in the end zone has slowed his progress. His ADP says drafters are aware of the easy schedule down the stretch, but he's still being overvalued at his current price. He's a strong talent with some flaws with a better all-around back ahead of him. When Melvin Gordon III re-signed, many dismissed him as purely a backup player. His primary use has been as an excellent pass-catching back. 24 Overrated Running Backs - Footballguys Pat Fitzmaurice: The appeal is that he's an inexpensive lead back. 1 status. Jalen Hurts will inevitably take away carries and goal-line rushes from the backfield, capping any true remaining upside Sanders may have been clinging to. Gibson has also been struggling with fumbles in training camp, which have drawn the ire of the Commanders coaching staff. While Jacobs is capable of a bell-cow role, McDaniels has a long history of maddening running back usage as the Patriots OC. Swift has already broken the injury seal with a groin issue in camp, and Jamaal Williams has already been spoken of highly as a potential 1A to Swift's No. I understand the upside, but I don't want to take a huge miss if I'm drafting in Week 1. The investment in veteran wideout Sammy Watkins and rookies Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace almost cements Dobbinss capped upside in the passing game. Then, two players were listed as being the most overrated compared to their draft projection. Bettis was also a nonfactor in the passing game. Victoria Geary: Sanders had the second-worst catch rate in the league last year among running backs, catching only 56% of his targets and dropping eight passes along the way (tied for most with Ezekiel Elliot). This is a major factor in any expectation that Robinson would be fantasy lineup-relevant without an injury to one of the other options, especially beyond the early weeks of the season. He yields passing work to J.D. McKissic this offseason and added Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr Jr. in the 3rd round of the NFL draft. The team likes fourth-round pick Zamir White and passing down back Ameer Abdullah, and Kenyan Drake is still on the roster, so Jacobs is going to have trouble being consistent enough to merit an every-week RB2 start. Sigmund Bloom: Anthony Lynn basically told us that he will run a committee of Swift and free agent pick Jamaal Williams when he called Williams his "A" back. Terrell Davis, Edgerrin James, Reggie Bush, Rashard Mendenhall, Jamaal Charles, and recently, Dalvin Cook all took over a season of play to return to form if they did at all. James Robinson, Jacksonville | Consensus Rankings RB29 | Consensus Projections RB30. With talented guys like Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers. Barkley is a workhorse. Martin is one of the best running backs of all time because he blended good ability with outstanding durability and versatility. Its almost always the other way around for top tier RBs. Gaskin has missed long periods through injury in his first two seasons in the league. Earl Campbell 9. 2 fantasy back this year is a dubious decision. 25 Running Backs Overrated Players 10 Quarterbacks 12 Tight Ends 23 Wide Receivers 25 Running Backs Deep Sleepers 9 Quarterbacks 11 Tight Ends 15 Wide Receivers 13 Running Backs The flip side of succeeding with value players is failing with overvalued players. That makes me want to be high on Josh Jacobs, but unfortunately, all reports point to a backfield by committee. The additions of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, and a healthy Antonio Gibson should blunt his numbers and make his season look more like 2020's first half when he averaged 4.7 targets and 3.6 receptions per game instead of his second half when he saw 8.6 targets and 6.1 catches an outing. Pittsburghs front five looks nothing like last years group. Jordan McNamara: Javonte Williams got a major bump in value in the offseason when Melvin Gordon III was a free agent. THE MOST OVERRATED FANTASY FOOOTBALL RBs | 2022 Fantasy Football Advice Drew Davenport: The memories of Johnson dominating in Arizona are still following him into this offseason. Hes the favorite for running back targets, but the offense doesnt really throw to the running backs. The additions of Mike Boone and Javonte Williams haven't done anything to dispel this idea. Ryan Hester: He might not keep his job, his offense probably wont be great, hes not explosive, and hes on the wrong side of the running back career arc. Over the past decade, the NFL has really evolved into a passing league. Victoria Geary: The Ravens have "made it a point of emphasis" to get Dobbins more looks in the passing game for 2021, but we know coach speak isn't very trustworthy during the offseason. Anthony Amico: The new regime for the Raiders is not particularly reassuring of Jacobs' role with the team. There are no guarantees he fits with what Atlanta wants to do or whether he has the endurance to handle a workload after last year's use. The next season he hit bottom with a knee injury that damaged his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. 1 cornerstone. most overrated running backs of all time - mediperi.com James Brimacombe: Once Kenyan Drake was out of the picture, we shot Edmonds up the draft board naturally. This likely puts Gibson two injuries away from a full workload, and Robinson is capable of taking away money touches in the redzone as well. Mostert is now 29 years old and has the highest draft position of anyone in this stable of capable running backs. That looks like a mistake from where the situation sits now. I believe he should be elected because he was able to maintain a good level of consistency throughout his 13 years. Henry has never caught more than 19 passes in a season, and that limited production as a receiver is an issue. Here's our list of the greatest 30 running backs in NFL history. For both Cleveland backs to be values, the team would have to produce vintage New Orleans-level production for its backs, or one of them would have to get injured to allow the other to see an increased workload. By the end of the year, that may change, but Etienne will be a change-of-pace and gadget player who might earn flex value this year until then. Jason Wood: Sometimes fate aligns, and that's what happened for Mike Davis last year in Carolina. While he can certainly put up some strong fantasy weeks, the savvier move would be to wait for the younger backs later in the draft. These players will not put up stats commensurate to their draft spot, and avoiding them is another of the important keys to a successful fantasy team. McKissic returns from injury to his role as the pass-catching back, and Washington also drafted Brian Robinson Jr in the third round. The following represent the most overrated NFL player on each team. 54 touchdowns. Projections, Get The Most Out Of Your David Montgomery looked the part of a workhorse profile after Cohen left the lineup, and Khalil Herbert is a rookie to watch for upward mobility on the depth chart. Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time by Team By Paul Ladewski, updated on September 10, 2021 Matt York / AP Photo Don't you just love it that sports media are so quick to hype athletes as the biggest and the best. The 4.29 ADY by the Steelers offensive line would be tied for 8th place in the NFL in 2009. That is not the stat line of an elite RB at all. His lack of use as a runner has to be a concern. In 2020, James Conner ranked 36th and Benny Snell ranked 54th in expected yards-per-carry out of 55 qualifiers, a sign of a weak offensive line and scheme. Adrian Peterson 10. Notre Dame's Kyren Williams was one of them and Georgia's James Cook was the other player named. Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time by Team | Stadium Talk Barry Sanders is easily the best ever. In Week 16 of the 2011 season, Adrian Peterson tore his ACL and returned as the #1 overall running back in 2012. Then as soon as they go south, we pile on like kids in a mosh pit? Why Bo Jackson is the Most Overrated Player of All Time Phil Alexander: Hunt finished last season as the RB10 in PPR scoring, but his cumulative stats were buoyed by a four-game stint as Cleveland's starter when Nick Chubb was out with an MCL sprain. Gaskin's current draft position is indicative of him being the top back in Miami, and it's not a foregone conclusion that he is. Gaskin may be the best receiver of the trio, but Ahmed isn't far behind. But Gordon averaged more yards per carry last year than Williams. My, my, how the game has changed. This is a major factor to any expectation that Robinson is fantasy lineup-relevant without an injury to one of the other options, especially beyond the very early weeks in the season. Walter Payton 5. If Robinson claims goal line work, there is an upward battle for returning a value in his ADP. Drew Davenport: Gordon hasn't been a special player for a while now, and at times last year looked completely ineffective. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh | Consensus Rankings RB15 | Consensus Projections RB13. The Eagles also resigned Jordan Howard and added Kerryon Johnson to the backfield, exhibiting their lack of trust in Sanders to be an every-down back. Jim Brown Jim Brown spent a little less than a decade playing for the Cleveland Browns between 1957 and 1965, but that was enough time to prove he's likely the greatest running back to ever play the game and one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Green Bay Packers: Most underrated, overrated players of all time - NFL.com He has the ability to handle that role and thrive in the process. The Eagles consistently added to the depth chart this offseason with Kerryon Johnson, Jordan Howard, Kenneth Gainwell added to Boston Scott. For example, take Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5, both very accomplished. Ben Cummins: Henrys past two monster years were with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the head coach in Atlanta. John Riggins 19. Jason Wood: We all want Dobbins to be an every-down workhorse. most overrated running backs of all time - cldaniels.com The Commanders drafted Brian Robinson Jr on Day 2 of the draft, a bigger back who excelled in pass protection. Gibson is more likely to lose his job than return a significant profit on his draft price. The Ravens have had the #1 rushing offense in the league for the last two years straight but have finished 31st overall in total running back targets in that same time span. Matt Waldman: Gaskin displayed underrated skills last year and has become a favorite sleeper in the fantasy community. He finally received the workhorse role fantasy players have craved. Andrew Davenport: Fantasy managers are drafting Carter as though he is the unquestioned starter. Myles Gaskin, Miami | Consensus Rankings RB24 | Consensus Projections RB22. His primary use has been as an excellent pass-catching back. Yes, but it doesn't feel like he'll be a top-10 type of running back, even in the Chiefs' potent offense. Marcus Allen 15. I have seen Bettis crack the top 20 and even top 10 of some lists, and this is inexplicable. David Johnson, Houston | Consensus Rankings RB27 | Consensus Projections RB31. While Hunt has moderate standalone value playing alongside Chubb, he'll need to either break a long run, vulture a touchdown at the goal-line, or catch a score to help you win a weekly matchup -- all things that are difficult to bank on. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore | Consensus Rankings RB16 | Consensus Projections RB17. Harris stayed an extra year in college to improve his draft capital, and rightfully so, as the 2020 class was filled with elite running back talent. Chase Edmonds, Arizona | Consensus Rankings RB25 | Consensus Projections RB23. Whenever a new coaching group comes in, especially an inexperienced one, there is always the risk that players with a high fantasy price underachieve. Projections, Get The Most Out Of Your Subscription, Early-March Top 10 Defensive Back IDP Rankings, 5 RBs to Buy In Dynasty Before NFL Free Agency. History and time have helped make Perry one of the most overrated defensive players of all time. David Montgomery Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections Kevin Coleman: Antonio Gibsons value took a hit this offseason. As a model for other running backs, one of the greatest running backs of all time is a horrible example. NFL's 5 Most Overrated Running Backs - Bleacher Report I feel like most drafting Gordon right now are doing it on name value, but he now has plenty of competition with Javonte Williams and Mike Boone as priority adds this offseason. Jason Wood: Ekeler can single-handedly carry a fantasy team for a week or two. Optimizer Quick Start, Percent Rostered Even if he isn't named the Saints' starting quarterback, Hill's continued presence in the red zone and at the goal-line infringes on Kamara's touchdown opportunity. Here are the players who received the most votes: And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why. However, I would ask - where is the upside to tilt a league here? Ryan Hester: This isnt a knock on Harris, whose athletic profile and projected workload are things fantasy players dream of. He didnt have a top 5 offensive line, so that eliminates the argument that he was made by the offensive line. This should be a fair competition, considering that Miami is changing its scheme this year. There isnt much to like here. Lynn will also rely on the hot hand approach - and Swift is more likely to run hot than Williams - but how often will this offense and team play well enough to give Swift a favorable game script. Gordon was adequate last year, but that was almost purely on volume. Ryan Hester: Chubb shares his backfield with a very talented player in Kareem Hunt, and Hunt is the one who gets the lions share of the passing game work. 5 / 30. Is he more talented than Melvin Gordon III at this point in their respective careers? Every NFL team's most overrated player of all time Jarrett Bailey 12/21/2021 180K donated to doctor who preformed 10-year-old girl's abortion to help with legal costs, security. And in fact, some managers are drafting him to be in their fantasy starting lineups in Week 1. He and Ameer Abdullah -- who played over Kenyan Drake in the first preseason game -- could take away tons of receiving work, while White is capable of obtaining shots around the goal line. Johnson himself has acknowledged it, and the backs' usage in the first preseason game indicates frustration for anyone wanting to farm this barren land. Top 10 Most Overrated Athletes of All Time It's not that they aren't great players, they just aren't everything we've been led to believe. USA Today named the most overrated player on every NFL team in 2022 and for the Cleveland Browns, Jadeveon Clowney was given this unwanted distinction. Whenever a new coaching group comes in, especially an inexperienced one, there is always the risk that players with a high fantasy price underachieve. This year, his new head coach -- Josh McDaniels -- is an offensive mind who made his career in schemes that utilized multiple backs as specialists for each situation. Optimizer Quick Start, Percent Rostered 31 Unsung Running Backs in NFL History By Paul Ladewski on August 3, 2021 Chris O'Meara / AP Photo Before franchise quarterbacks took pro football hostage, there was something known as franchise running backs. Even when Barkley was a big fantasy hit, it took big plays that can be very mercurial from year to year to make it happen. There are plenty of clarified RB1 types later in the draft to avoid taking the variable shot on Williams. 15 receptions, 111 yards, less than a TD per year. Ricky Watters 20. They did not pick up his fifth-year option and took Zamir White in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Ben Cummins: Robinson was an awesome story in 2020 as he just kept producing while seeing 21.43 opportunities per game (6th most in the league) from Weeks 1-16. Downing, USA Today Sports. Kudos to James Robinson. I believe it is more accurate to measure a RB by per season averages, because running backs such as Jim Brown did not play long. We use cookies to personalize content, ads and analyze site traffic. Nyheim Hines is one of the premier pass-catching options, and Marlon Mack's health is a wildcard in the Colts' backfield rotation. And while Johnson sits atop the Houston depth chart, Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram II, and perhaps Rex Burkhead will factor in as well. Footballguys staff members discuss running backs who are overvalued. But career stats shouldnt have much emphasis on them for that reason. The only reason Johnson had fantasy value last year was a superhuman effort from Deshaun Watson to move the offense and produce points. For both Cleveland backs to be values, the team would have to produce vintage New Orleans-level production for its backs. The Steelers were 23rd in red zone attempts per game in 2020 and were recently ranked as having the fourth-worst offensive line ahead of the 2021 season by Pro Football Focus. Top 10 Most Overrated Athletes of All Time - TheTopTens Sigmund Bloom: Barkley may not be 100% to start the season, and he might not truly be 100% until next season. The final reason why Jerome Bettis is the most overrated RB of all time is because of the offensive line he ran behind. The Ravens view Gus Edwards and Dobbins as co-starters who are both vital cogs, and the front office rewarded Edwards with a new contract supporting his role. Detroit signed Jamaal Williams to take the heavy work and kicked the tires on Todd Gurley before declining his addition. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay | Consensus Rankings RB30 | Consensus Projections RB27. Lineup Builder Quick Start, Multi-Lineup Sigmund Bloom: There are too many forces that Barkley has to swim upstream again to justify taking Barkley at his lofty ADP. Finally, Sanders has continued fumbling and dropping passes in camp -- problems that plagued him last season. If Johnson is the starter, he is probably a value where he is being drafted, but I'm not taking him at his current cost without some reassuring news about his role in the coming weeks. And was brought back by a new staff that keeps saying he will be a significant part of the offense. No thanks. His retirement all but guarantees some drop-off in Kamara's receiving numbers regardless of whether Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill is named the Saints starting quarterback.