The 2013 NFL season and fantasy football season is getting ready to start and with owners looking for value at a number of positions, running back could be one that is very deep is running back, including names like Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, Bernard Pierce and Knowshon Moreno.
The Broncos and Ravens are playing on Thursday night and all those players, especially Ball and Hillman, should get some solid carries. The Broncos wanted to get younger at running back and now they have the prolific Ball in the fold and the Ravens could end up giving Rice a few less carries after overworking him the past couple years and that could mean more production for Pierce. Both teams have playoff and Super Bowl aspirations and this is where it all starts on Thursday night.
Another running back that could end up putting up some great numbers after the way he played last season is CJ Spiller. The Bills are heading into the 2013 season with some excitement after Doug Marrone was hired as head coach and after drafting EJ Manuel to play quarterback, the offense could be more exciting than in previous years and fantasy owners should look at C.J. Spiller, Steve Johnson, Fred Jackson, EJ Manuel, Robert Woods and Scott Chandler as solid options for the Bills.
Spiller has elevated himself into one of the most productive fantasy backs in football after the way he played last season and having a rookie quarterback in the fold could add even more to it. Last season Spiller took over for Fred Jackson while he was hurt and now he likely will never give the job back after showing how explosive he can be and how skilled he is coming out of the backfield and when he gets in open space with the ball. This year he could have over 1,800 total yards with 10-15 touchdowns and he is now considered an elite back in fantasy.
Last season Spiller had the best year of his short career with 1,244 yards rushing and six touchdowns while averaging six yards per carry and he also made 43 catches for 459 yards and two scores and now is poised to score even more. The team always knew how talented he could be, but until last season his potential was not realized and he has more speed than many other players in the NFL. Jackson may take away some goal line scores, but Spiller is now slouch up the middle either and he showed last season that he can break tackles, averaging over two yards after first contact last season and now he is clearly the starting back in Buffalo.
Steve Johnson and Robert Woods have a rookie quarterback, but Manuel looks ready to go and both players could put up some solid numbers. Johnson has gained over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past three years with a crappy quarterback and he could do the same again this season. Woods is a nice sleeper option after coming out from USC and he comes in after being very productive with the Trojans, making 252 passes for 2,930 yards and 32 touchdowns and he could do even more with Buffalo over the next few seasons. Johnson will free him up on the outside and with his skills he could be a very good slot man.
Chandler could be a solid sleeper option in deeper leagues and last season he torched the Patriots for nine catches and 127 yards, making him a nice spot starter for Week 1 this season. Chandler is a bit target in the redzone and with a rookie quarterback the tight end position is always vitally important and Chandler could put up some solid numbers. The Bills and Marrone will be overhauling the offense a bit as he takes over and with Spiller looking like one of the best backs in the league, the team could be much more consistent on offense this season and in fantasy.
