Dive into the intriguing world of running back statistics that truly matter! Discover whether rushing touchdowns and reception numbers should raise alarms for fantasy football players. The hosts dissect the evolution of NFL running backs, examining the effects of coaching changes and team dynamics. They also share playful insights on the predictive power of receptions, reflecting on historical legends while highlighting emerging talents. Join them for engaging banter as they explore advanced metrics and the role of film analysis in creating winning strategies!
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Quick takeaways
Rushing touchdowns exhibit a predictive drop-off the following year, with a significant average decline of about 30%.
Receiving statistics prove more reliable in predicting future performance compared to rushing touchdowns, demonstrating the value of dual-threat backs.
Understanding age trends and offensive scheme influences is crucial for making informed decisions about running back investments in dynasty leagues.
Deep dives
Rushing Touchdowns: Predictive Value
Rushing touchdowns hold significant interest for fantasy football strategists, particularly those analyzing their predictive power across seasons. An in-depth analysis of data from 2010 to 2023 revealed that players with 10 or more rushing touchdowns in one season typically experienced a substantial drop in performance the following year, with an average of about 8.83 touchdowns—indicating approximately a 30% decline. Notable instances reveal that while star players such as Derrick Henry have consistently secured high touchdown totals, many notable names, like Le'Veon Bell, surprisingly never surpassed the ten-touchdown threshold in any season despite their overall fantasy contributions. This conversation emphasizes the importance of context, such as offensive scheme and quarterback involvement, in determining a running back's touchdown potential from year to year.
Receiving Receptions as Predictive Metrics
The discussion shifted to the relevance of receptions, underscoring their greater predictive capacity in forecasting future performance compared to rushing touchdowns. Players who achieved 50 or more receptions in a given season only experienced a minor drop-off of around 16.8% in subsequent seasons, averaging over 62 receptions initially and dropping to around 51.7. This demonstrates that the continuity of a player’s role, especially in receiving-heavy offensive schemes, is more stable than touchdown metrics. Moreover, talented receiving backs like Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey showcased the long-term potential of reception-based statistics, indicating that targeting dual-threat running backs can lead to consistent fantasy point production.
Age and Performance Trends in Running Backs
A critical factor in understanding player performance is recognizing the age-related trends affecting running backs' longevity and productivity. As the average career of a running back generally peaks in their mid-to-late twenties, many players face diminishing returns before reaching age 30, complicating dynasty league strategies. The conversation highlighted that while some players may maintain high performance levels well into their late career, such as Derrick Henry, this is more of an exception than a rule. This suggests that it is prudent for fantasy managers to strategically acquire younger talents who exhibit both high ceiling potential and the advantage of natural progression in their careers.
The Importance of Scheme and System
Players’ performances can be significantly influenced by the offensive scheme they operate within, as highlighted during the discussion of various running backs. Transitioning between teams or changing coaching staff can lead to varying degrees of success, as seen when Jamal Williams achieved 17 rushing touchdowns with Detroit but faced uncertainty after joining New Orleans. The potential to thrive in different systems emphasizes the need for fantasy players to analyze not only a running back's skill set but also the coaching philosophies and offensive styles they will encounter in upcoming seasons. Such insights can guide decisions to either retain or trade players based on anticipated efficiency within specific systems.
Rookie Draft Strategies and Projections
As the episode wrapped up, the focus turned to rookie draft strategies and how statistical analysis can sculpt evaluations of incoming players. Listeners were advised to consider not only the performance metrics of rookie running backs but also their projected roles and offensive environments, as nuances in temperature can greatly affect their future output. For instance, players like Bijan Robinson and Jameer Gibbs are anticipated to make substantial impacts early in their careers due to their dual-threat abilities. The expansive discussion underlines the merit in aligning pre-draft assessments with well-researched metrics that can alleviate uncertainty surrounding rookie talent, ultimately preparing fantasy managers for better decision-making during draft time.
Not all stats are created equal. Rich Dotson (@DynastyRich), Garret Price (@DynastyPrice) and Matt O’Hara (@DynastyMatt) are here to tell you which stats are important to the RB position and which ones to ignore.
Should we worry about rushing touchdowns? Do reception numbers really matter? Find out all this and more on today's episode.
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