What is a “Late Round Gamble”? I’ll tell you, if you can’t already tell. A late round gamble is a specific player you should pick in a late round, mainly after the eighth. Not all will be “late” in the traditional sense, but might be going after an early run on the position. Many of these running backs are competing for jobs or competing for carries, and I like seeking that. Here are some guys that could slip a bit, but still have some solid value.
Fantasy football draft strategy 2013: Late round gambles at running backs
Alex Strouf takes a look at the Running Backs who will be available in the late rounds and who you should take a chance on.
Daryl Richardson - RB - STL
Daryl Richardson is a second-year running back for the St. Louis Rams. Last year as a rookie, Richardson's name broke through as a possible competitor to take Steven Jackson's job after Richardson broke free for a 53-yard run during a Week 2 battle over Washington, while Jackson was still in St. Louis. That's when Richardson began seeing a few runs every game. Although Richardson has yet to see the end zone in his NFL regular season career, he's still capable. I think he may surprise a few people this season, just as you will when you draft him.
Johnathan Franklin - RB - GB
I almost feel biased saying this, but it needs to be brought up. Eddie Lacy looks great, yes, but he doesn't have the job locked. This is the most under the radar thing going on in the NFL. Johnathan Franklin will get at least half of the carries, or start. Eddie Lacy, DuJuan Harris, James Starks, and Johnathan Franklin are all competing, so nobody's going to be a clear winner. Johnathan Franklin looks like the best running back on the Packers. Solid fifteenth round pick.
Chris Ivory - RB - NYJ
This was a move the Jets made that didn't make a lot of noise. Ivory carried the majority of the balls in New Orleans, and now he'll be the featured back in New York. Shonn Greene signed with the Titans, which opens the door for opportunities in the Jets backfield. Ivory should make a big impact for the Jets. There's not really a solid placement for Ivory, as far as where he will get drafted. Anywhere from round five to round nine.
Bryce Brown - RB - PHI
Bryce Brown is a lot like Johnathan Franklin, he isn't making a ton of noise but he is going to get a good amount of carries with the Eagles. I wouldn't consider him a competitor against LeSean McCoy, but he'll try to take away some of his carries. Brown will be a great tenth or eleventh round pick.
Lamar Miller - RB - MIA
I know he'll get picked in the fourth or fifth round, but he's still a gamble. We don't know what he can do. We got only a few good glimpses of Miller last season, but he was sitting behind Reggie Bush, who is now in Detroit. This year could be a make or break for Lamar Miller. He is getting a ton of hype this offseason. We basically didn't see anything out of Miller in the Hall of Fame Game, two touches. He averaged 10.5 YPC, so he did look really good on those two carries, but his very first touch was a fumble! There was a lot of hype, and that's going to scare some owners. C'mon Lamar!
Alex Strouf is a sports fanatic that covers fantasy football for SB Nation and covers the Oklahoma City Thunder for Welcome To Loud City. He does a podcast on iTunes called Two Perspectives. Want more? Follow him on Twitter HERE
