My Condolences, People Who Drafted Ryan Mathews And C.J. Spiller Too High

Taking a first-round rookie running back high is always a crapshoot, in that you know there’s a decent chance the rookie will likely get the bulk of that team’s carries, which means potentially high yields if that player meets expectations.

While high-profile rookie backs have a better chance at big fantasy output than rookie receivers or quarterbacks, that doesn’t mean success is guaranteed. The three first-round backs this year, Ryan Mathews, C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best, were by the time to season started expected to be feature backs within the first few weeks, if not immediately.

Mathews was generally listed far higher than Best or Spiller, because he was immediately guaranteed to get the feature role, which Best and Spiller would still have to beat out veteran backs. While Mathews has still gotten the bulk of the work in the San Diego running game, his struggles coupled with Best’s breakout success have a lot of fantasy owners regretting their picks in retrospect.

Spiller, after a stellar preseason, has been disastrous, gaining only nine yards on eight rushes with only 31 yards receiving through two games. Fred Jackson poached the only offensive touchdown on Sunday. Conditions for the running game aren’t likely to get much more favorable with Trent Edwards being benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Concerns are high over Mathews, who hurt his ankle in Sunday’s game and saw Mike Tolbert get the team’s two rushing touchdowns, though Norv Turner said it was only a precautionary measure to make sure that Mathews didn’t hurt himself further.

Best, meanwhile, has only managed to be the top scoring player in all of fantasy football through two weeks, scoring five total TDs and racking up tons of yards. He put off some by virtue of needing to beat out Kevin Smith and also simply being a member of the Lions.

Now permit me to drown my sorrows after informing you that I took Mathews in one of my four leagues and Spiller in two others but nary a single Best selection.