4 Fantasy Football Running Backs Looking to Bounce Back in 2016
C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
2015 ADP: RB6
2015 Finish: RB31
2016 ADP: RB17
Scorned C.J. Anderson owners from last year will likely be fading Anderson in 2016, but their loss could be your gain.
Anderson finished the season on a tear as he finally started looking like his old self again. From Week 12 through the end of their playoff stretch, Anderson averaged 5.4 yards per carry and 13.93 fantasy points per game. That's more fantasy points per game than David Johnson, Thomas Rawls, DeMarco Murray, and Jeremy Langford -- all running backs currently being taken ahead of Anderson.
The presence of Devontae Booker has to be taken into account, but Booker will enter the season as a 24-year-old rookie coming off a torn meniscus that ended his final season prematurely. We saw last year that Gary Kubiak was able to mix in two running backs, but his former stops have seen lead backs emerge in Justin Forsett and Arian Foster to dominate touches when healthy.
If Anderson can avoid any lingering ankle injuries, he could see the type of season that has netted Forsett and Foster multiple top-12 finishes. 4for4's Chris Raybon noted that Anderson has averaged 5.32 yards per carry over his career when he wasn't on the injury report with an ankle injury. Early reports are already painting the backfield carry split to be Anderson's to own as the lead back receiving the majority of the carries.
Whether it's Paxton Lynch or Mark Sanchez under center, this Denver squad will be relying on their defense and running game to carry them in 2016. Denver added both Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung at the tackle positions to help aid Kubiak's run blocking scheme. Last season, Denver ranked 17th in rushing play percentage (40.2%), but we can reasonably expect Kubiak to return this offense's rushing play percentage where he's finished 1st, 4th, and 12th in three of the past five years.
If Anderson can remain healthy and regain his 2014 form where he had the third-highest Total Net Expected Points (NEP) among all 100-plus carry running backs, he could be a potential steal at his current fourth-round draft cost.
