The 2017 fantasy season was a tough one for the running back. Only nine backs topped the 1000 yard rushing mark, and just two finished the NFL season with over 1300 yards. It was a good year for receiving backs, but not every fantasy option is a dynamic receiver.
A few backs lost to injuries, could have made this list. David Johnson half of a football game obviously was a big blow to many fantasy owners. However, it is easier to move on from an injured player, than to give up on a high draft pick who is underperforming. For the 2017 NFL season, these running backs all disappointed in some fashion.
DeMarco Murray – Tennessee Titans
After a bounce-back season in 2016, Murray’s production dropped off significantly in 2017. Murray averaged just 43.9 rushing yards per game and failed to top 1000 yards from scrimmage for the first time in five years. Murray had just one 100-yard rushing game last season, all the way back in week 3. Murray may not be with the Titans next season and with close to 2000 touches in his career, Murray may no longer have the body to be a lead back. For a back typically drafted in the late-first or early-second round, Murray was one of the biggest disappointments in 2017.
Joe Mixon – Cincinnati Bengals
In a season filled with exciting rookie running backs, Joe Mixon was one of the few who did not live up to fantasy expectations. Mixon averaged only 3.5 yards per rush and had just one 100-yard rushing performance. In eight of Mixon’s 14 games this season, he failed to top 40 yards rushing. He showed a little bit of spark near the end of the season, but by that point, it was too late to salvage his year. Who knows what the Bengals will do next season. It is likely Mixon improves in his sophomore season as Jeremy Hill is not expected back and Giovani Bernard could be cut to save cap space.
Ty Montgomery – Green Bay Packers
While injuries limited Ty Montgomery to just eight games in 2017, his production in those eight games left a sour taste in fantasy owners’ mouths. Outside of a big game in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, Montgomery never surpassed 100 yards from scrimmage. His reception totals completely fall off after his first three games. Montgomery caught 18 passes in his first three games of 2017 and had five more in his next five games. While the injury to Aaron Rodgers hurt the Packers offense, one would have expected more from Montgomery as the Packers offensive style changed with Brett Hundley at quarterback.
Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons
After topping 1500 total yards, 50 receptions and 13 touchdowns for two straight NFL seasons, Devonta Freeman underwhelmed in 2017. Freeman finished the year with just 1182 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. Freeman missed two games, which obviously hurt his totals. However, it was a mid-season slump that hurt Freeman owners in fantasy. After starting the year with five touchdowns in four games, Freeman went six games without a touchdown or 100-yards from scrimmage. At 25, Freeman still has good years ahead of him and should still be a high pick in fantasy next season but keep in mind that this Falcons offense simply didn’t look the same without Kyle Shanahan this year.
Jay Ajayi – Philadelphia Eagles
A lack of touchdowns and a low-usage rate hurt Jay Ajayi in 2017. Ajayi struggled with the Miami Dolphins, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry before falling out of favor with the coaching staff. The led to his trade to the Eagles. As a member of the Eagles, Ajayi was a much more effective runner, gashing defenses for 5.8 yards per attempt. The problem for Ajayi was he carried the ball just 70 times in seven games as a member of the Eagles. With LeGarrette Blount sharing carries and Corey Clement sharing catches, there wasn’t a ton of work for Ajayi to do.
Additionally, Ajayi had more fumbles (three) than touchdowns (two). Ajayi is a good back, but if he remains in a running back committee, he will struggle to match his 2016 season (when he rushed for 1272 and eight touchdowns).
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