As we gear up to the start of the NFL season, Football Absurdity is going to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of every notable player that will be available in fantasy football drafts. When you don’t see us talking about Christine Michael or Mike Davis, don’t get mad at us for neglecting your favorite sleeper. Get mad at yourself for having bad taste in football players. We are only focusing on the top-rated running backs in standard scoring and points per game leagues. If you like to handcuff your running backs and also like them in handcuffs, then this Ezekiel Elliott player profile is for you.
With my player profiles, I’ve only decided to go back to look at their fantasy scoring for three years. I could show you lists from earlier, but most of the guys at the top are no longer in the league anymore. I’ve also added a chart for their usage over that time span. We will try to determine, based on those two factors, where the best running back value lies.
Ezekiel Elliott ADP and AAV
Standard: Number 2 among running backs. Number 2 overall.
PPR: Number 2 among running backs. Number 2 overall.
Ezekiel Elliott Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $60
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 5th | 252.2 | 8th | 16.8 |
| 2017 | 10th | 163.1 | 2nd | 18.1 |
| 2016 | 2nd | 293.4 | 3rd | 19.6 |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 5th | 329.2 | 6th | 21.9 |
| 2017 | 12th | 203.2 | 3rd | 20.3 |
| 2016 | 2nd | 325.4 | 3rd | 21.7 |
FANTASY USAGE
| Carries | Carries Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 304 | 20.3 | 95 | 6.3 |
| 2017 | 242 | 24.2 | 38 | 3.8 |
| 2016 | 322 | 21.5 | 39 | 2.6 |
Overview: Ezekiel Elliott came back in 2018 to lead the NFL in rushing for the second time in three years. And just like after his inaugural season as the NFL rushing champion, Zeke decided to try getting arrested again. While this incident is being dismissed by the Cowboys, the NFL is draconian when it comes to its image. Getting arrested at music festivals in Las Vegas is exactly the type of thing the NFL would suspend someone for, whether they are at fault or not. (Note: Elliott ended up not getting suspended).
I can’t think of a better bet to be the number one scorer in fantasy football. As crazy as it sounds, Zeke might have had a down year in 2018. Even though he led the league in rushing, he was only 20th in rushing touchdowns. For his usage, he should have scored a lot more. Numbers two through eleven on the rushing leader list all had more touchdowns than him. Moreover, in 2018 Ezekiel Elliot had more targets in the passing game than his previous two seasons combined.
Strategy: Our Ezekiel Elliott Auction Value ($200 Budget): $67
[Updated August 20]: Ezekiel Elliott and Jerry Jones continue the most public slap fight since Katt Williams tried to fight a small child. As of right now, Zeke isn’t under contract, but it appears as though a deal will get done. It’s enough to drop him out of the big-four, but if you scoop him up in the mid-to-late first, then consider it a coup. Or he could destroy your season and you’ll waste four months of your life as Le’Veon Bell did to you in 2018. You know, as a worst-case scenario.
Elliott is a clear top 2 guy, and is worth a first or second overall pick, so don’t overthink it. In auction, feel free to go over his $60 ADP, making up the difference with some steals at WR or RB 2/3.
Best Case Scenario: Zeke leads the NFL in rushing.
Worst Case Scenario: [Updated August 20] We are living it.
