2 Historically Efficient Second-Year RBs Have Seen Their Prices Skyrocket, but They’re Still Too Cheap

Zachary Krueger
January 27, 2021

Zachary Krueger dives into the RotoViz Screener to look at two rookie running backs who rose to the top of historical efficiency metrics in 2020.

Heading into this season, the 2020 rookie class carried some of the biggest buzz in recent history. Whether you were debating between Joe Burrow vs. Tua Tagovailoa, CeeDee Lamb vs. Justin Jefferson or Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Jonathan Taylor, the debates around these few players only scratched the surface of what was to follow.

As we head into the 2021 season, I wanted to take a look at one of the more coveted positions of the class – the running backs.

Whether you struggled through the ups and downs of the season that Taylor or Edwards-Helaire gave you, or struck gold with James Robinson, chances are you’re already plotting for who you will acquire from this class next season.

For a position that seems to have the shelf life equivalent to milk left out on a hot summer day, it’s important to not only capitalize on young, productive running backs, but efficient ones.

In 2017, Alvin Kamara changed the age and efficiency landscape forever when he racked up 317.4 PPR on just 202 total touches as a 22-year old. Kamara’s 1.6 PPR/touch as a rookie is second-highest total we’ve seen from any running back since RotoViz’s inception in 2000, with Darren Sproles’ 1.8 PPR/touch in 2012 being the best ever for a running back (min. 200 PPR). Sproles also averaged 1.6 PPR/touch in 2011.

It’s also worth noting that Sproles and Kamara both saw historically efficient seasons as members of the Saints, under head coach Sean Payton.

Curious to see if any players from the 2020 rookie class came close to what we enjoyed from Kamara in 2017, I set out find the next young, efficient fantasy stud.

While on my search for one, however, I stumbled across two.

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Zachary Krueger

Staff writer & fantasy analyst. I probably liked Darren Waller before you. Follow on Twitter @ZK_FFB

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