For years, it seems like the NFL has tried to kill off the feature running back, much like how myself and my fellow Floridians killed off jorts in the late 80’s. Yet, both could be making a strong comeback and be relevant again, right?
Think about it, when was the last time four rookie running backs were taken among the first 25 picks? I seriously don’t know. If you know, let me know.
Anyhow, even in a keeper league like ours were many of the top players are already snatched before the draft, that’s pretty far out. Each of those backs will play an important role regarding the outcome of this season. However, will any make first-team All-Robio? Or All-Bust? We shall see.
FIRST-TEAM ALL-ROBIO PREDICTIONS
QB – Aaron Rodgers | Robio
I know, kind of a pussy pick. It would be like picking the Pats to win the Superbowl. Yet, the mustache rider enters the season with everyone healthy (Nelson, Cobb, Adams), a new red zone target (Bennett), plus a feature back that was a wide receiver. It is not out of the question for him to produce 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns this year. He’ll be responsible for winning me two games this year, all by himself.
RB – David Johnson | Griff
Another safe pick, I know…but how I can deny Johnson the top spot. He is going to be a fantasy god over the next 5-6 years. He’s our modern day Tomlinson, a guy who personally made Burrier look competent for half a decade. Combining both rushing and receiving yards, he’ll approach 2,000 total yards this year.
RB – Todd Gurley | Matt
Yep, after a horrendous sophomore slump, where he averaged a awful 3.2 yards per carry, I’m predicting a third-year resurgence. The Rams will be a way better coached team, the line has been improved and Gurley remains the best player on this team by a long mile. After Le’Veon Bell, he’ll probably finish second in carries this year and he doesn’t come off the field for third down or goal line.
WR – Julio Jones | Bob
The Falcons receiver is looking to become just the third wide receiver to earn first-team All-Robio three years in a row. The others are Calvin Johnson (2011-2013) and Antonio Brown (2014-16), who is going for his fourth straight. I believe Jones will feast on the fact that defenses have to pay attention to Atlanta’s run game and he’ll once again lead the league in targets. My only concern? I hate their new offensive coordinator.
WR – Michael Thomas | Griff
Griff gets his second preseason first-team All-Robio player with Thomas, who I have barely beating out Antonio Brown. While I love me some Brown, I don’t believe Big Bathroom Ben will play a full sixteen and Brown’s numbers will dip when Ben’s not throwing the ball around. Thomas is now the number one option on a team that will pass for over 4,000 yards.
TE – Rob Gronkowski | Rich B
I nearly took him in round one and I’ve been regretting letting him slip by me ever since. Obviously, health is everything for Gronk, but if he stays on the field, with Edelman out, Brady will look often at his favorite target, who could end up breaking TE yards records this season.
PK – Matt Bryant | Marc
Thirty field goals and 45 extra points is not out of the question. Still, a 10th round pick?
DST – Cardinals | Don
The Cards defense struggled to stay healthy last year, but they enter 2017 in good shape. They also have the easiest strength of schedule. They face the Rams and 49ers a total of four times. They get to take on shitty offenses like the Texans, Jaguars and the Colts without Luck.
SECOND-TEAM ALL-ROBIO
QB – Tom Brady | Rob M
Does he need that chip on the shoulder?
RB – Le’Veon Bell | Matt
Needs to stay healthy, but capable of leading Matt to a third title
RB – LeSean McCoy | Colby
Will probably lead the league in rushing yards, but lack of TDs will keep him off first-team.
WR – Mike Evans | Griff
Homer pick could be gold. Remember, this is just his third year in the league.
WR – Jordy Nelson | Robio
When he finally looked 100% at the end of 2016, he was a true beast.
TE – Travis Kelce | Colby
He’s barely a step behind Gronk, but doesn’t come with the injury baggage.
PK – Stephen Gostkowski | Eric
He kicks too many extra points to be first-team.
DST – Seahawks | Robio
They’re healthy, they’ve added new pieces, they still play in the NFC west.
THIRD-TEAM ALL-ROBIO
QB – Jameis Winston | Jeff
He’s thrown for 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and that was without DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard.
RB – Jordan Howard | Eric
Sure defenses will stack the line, but he should sniff over 260 carries and 40 receptions.
RB – Melvin Gordon | Jeff
The greatest back to never average 4.0 yards per carry. Luckily, he gets a ton of touches.
WR – Odell Beckham Jr. | Marc
Why do I never show love for Beckham? I don’t know.
WR – Dez Bryant | Robio
Every expert says he’s overrated. Something tells me he and Dak form a strong chemistry this year.
TE – Jordan Reed | Rich C
He’ll stay healthy…enough.
PK – Will Lutz | Rich B
He’s a good kicker on a great offensive team in a dome.
DST – Patriots | Marc
Is it me or does it seem like the other teams in the AFC are tanking, waiting for Brady to retire?
ALL-BUST TEAM
QB – Cam Newton | Bob
Bob drafted Cam in round three. He drafted Eli in round nine. Let’s be honest, who would you start in week one? The Panthers are out west in SF and Eli is facing the Cowboys. If you use a top three pick on a quarterback, it has to be the kind of arm that never leaves the starting lineup.
RB – Joe Mixon | Rob M
It’s hard to call a rookie back a bust, because what are his real expectations? Yet, he was a third-round pick and he was projected to start in week one at RB2 (although Rob could go three wide). Word has always been that of all the rookies, he’s the most NFL ready, but right now he’s living in a crowded backfield and is listed as third-string. That could obviously change halfway through week one, but do you trust Coach Lewis?
RB – Christine McCaffrey | Rich B
Yep, it’s another rookie. I told you they were important this year. This guy ends up on the bust list because he was drafted so high. The rookie was fifth overall. Balls. So what is he going to be? I mean, the Panthers offense look stale last year and Stewart is still there. He could be the next Chris Johnson or more likely the next Reggie Bush, who finished 16th among all backs his rookie year, after being selected first overall by Bob.
WR – T.Y. Hilton | Colby
This actually makes me sad. I have mad love for Hilton, who led me to a title last year in a different league. He’s a stud and perhaps he’s one of those players who will remain great no matter who is throwing the ball, but until I see a healthy, 100% Andrew Luck on the field, he’s a WR2 at best.
WR – Mark Ingram | Don
For whatever reason, Sean Peyton has never let Ingram be a feature back, which is why he’s cracked 1,000 yards rushing just once in his career (and he barely did it). Now Purple Jesus is waiting in the wings and if he looks even remotely healthy, that won’t be good news for Ingram.
TE – Greg Olsen | Griff
The U, baby! Sorry, that’s a natural reflex. Olsen finished last season as the top tight end in fantasy football, but a lot of that had to do with a fantastic start to the year. In his final ten games though, he wasn’t even a top-six guy. At 32, he’s going to have to decline at some point, but will see if Griff is the one left holding the hot potato this year.
PK – Matt Bryant | Marc
I know, I have him as my first-team All-Robio kicker, but he was drafted in the 10th round. You don’t take kickers until the 14th round, unless your a Vozzola and like losing.
DST – Vikings | Rich C
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Vikings DST. They earned a first-team All-Robio award last year for Masterson. But this year, it’s going to be challenging. Their SOS is brutal. They will have to face Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Winston, Big Ben (before he gets hurt), Ryan, Newton and Dalton. Come playoff time, the Vikings D will face the Panthers, Bengals and Packers, two of those three on the road. Ouch.
ALL-SLEEPER TEAM
Note: A sleeper is anyone drafted in round eight or later and is not a keeper.
QB – Andre Luck | Rich C
With Matt Ryan, Calderon doesn’t really need Luck as a starter, but thanks to injury issues, the once great QB fell all the way to the 8th round. That’s a stunning free fall. If the Colts are patient and don’t rush him back, Luck could be a stud trading piece/keeper down the road.
RB – Danny Woodhead | Jeff
Sure, he’s coming off an ACL tear, which means it might be half a season before he’s 100%, but you’re telling me this guy can’t beat out Terrance West? Hell, he kept Melvin Gordon sitting on the bench for a year.
RB -Eddie Lacy | Eric
Does anyone have real faith in Thomas Rawls, the three-game wonder from 2016? Word is, Lacy is in shape and he’s a nice fit for that offense.
WR – Jeremy Maclin | Don
He was kind lost in the shuffle after getting shipped off to Baltimore, but let’s not forget, the Ravens, despite the fact Joe Flacco and his awful contract are still running the show, this team likes to throw. Steve Smith thrived here for a few good years and someone needs take up those numbers. By week four, Don could have Maclin starting ahead of Landry, who has drafted in round three.
WR – Chris Hogan | Bob
Brady likes his lil’ white guys and while Hogan has been more of a deep threat, when Edelman has gotten hurt in the past (like last year), Hogan was the one who stepped into his shoes and filled ’em.
TE – Hunter Henry | Robio
I probably would have put Zach Ertz here, but he missed qualifying by one round, so I’m going with Henry. While he didn’t get a lot of time on the field last year because of Antonio Gates, he really made the most of it when he did. Here’s hoping this is the year where he’s the starting tight end in San Diego, I mean, Los Angeles.
PK – Will Lutz | Rich B
There were eight kickers taken ahead of Lutz, but I have him earning third-team All-Robio kicker this year.
DST – Giants | Rich B
The Giants defense is really good and getting better, especially in the secondary. They were the ninth defense drafted, but they are better than that. The problem is, they play in a tough division, where all three divisional foes will put up points.