Point per reception fantasy football leagues are exploding in popularity, and so are half-PPR leagues which paint a fuller picture of players' production while not overly skewing draft strategy. In these formats, certain running backs who are more valuable to their teams than conventional rushers are rewarded, but still can come at a discount.
Here are the Top 5 receiving running backs to look out for this year.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
In PPR or half-PPR leagues Forte has an argument to be the No. 1 overall pick. In addition to being a 1,000-yard rusher for three consecutive seasons, Forte's targets in the passing game have risen. Last year Jay Cutler threw it Forte's way 130 times, and while that number may regress with a new coaching staff, he remains the highest-volume receiving running back in the NFL.
Forte is not only a big play threat, he reels in the majority of the passes that get sent his way. Forte was fourth in the NFL in receptions, behind only Antonio Brown, Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones. At 29 years old, it's good to see him nearing the dreaded 30 with different kinds of usage. It'll help him be relevant for longer.
Shane Vereen, New York Giants
Vereen was the Giants' biggest addition this offseason, and after a 52-catch campaign with the New England Patriots he will be featured even more in the Meadowlands. The RBs ahead of Vereen are Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams; neither is very versatile or fast, and Vereen could eclipse them as a three-down back if he proves durable enough.
Vereen is the type of player who can win his owners a week or two on his own. Big weeks include double-digit reception upside and big plays, possibly even touchdowns. Vereen's current ADP in Half-PPR leagues is No. 37 among running backs. That's insane.
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
As a borderline first-round pick in drafts last season Ellington was a bust as a lead-dog kind of player. He should be worried about the Cardinals drafting David Johnson in the third round, because he's likely to bite into Ellington's playing time. Luckily, Ellington doesn't need many touches to be effective. Even in a down year he was among the leaders in receptions for running backs-he caught 44 passes in 2014, averaging nearly four per game-and was targeted 64 times.
Even if Ellington manages just 40-50 yards per game on the ground, he's a home run threat any time he touches the rock and he is locked in for 30 receiving yards a game as a floor. This guy might have a CJ2K impact this year.
DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia Eagles
Murray's obscene amount of rushing attempts-and subsequent yardage and touchdowns-obscured the fact that he remained one of the top pass-catching running backs in the NFL. He'd rank higher on this list if he was still a Cowboy, but how he will be used in Philadelphia remains to be seen. LeSean McCoy was one of the premier receiving backs too before last season happened.
Philadelphia won't ride Murray like Jason Garrett did in Dallas, but he will definitely stay involved in the passing game. Don't underestimate this facet of his game if he falls further than he should.
Roy Helu, Oakland Raiders
Helu isn't a name on the tips of many tongues, but he's free from the Washington Redskins now. Okay, so Oakland isn't any less dysfunctional, but at least the path to impact on the field is clearer. At this point Helu doesn't have the upside of Latavius Murray, who should open the year as the starter, but he isn't a proven commodity nor do we know if he can stay healthy.
Helu has never averaged six carries per game, so with that in mind take in his reception totals from the past two seasons: 42, 47. Helu can catch the ball, and he's built stronger than Murray is. Expect Helu to matter in 2015, and you'll have him for cheap.
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