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 players in standard scoring and points per game leagues.
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.
Dalvin Cook ADP and AAV
Standard: 11th among RBs, 18th overall
PPR: 11th among TEs, 19th overall
Dalvin Cook Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $38
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 31st | 112.0 | 25th | 10.2 |
| 2017 | 65th | 54.4 | 9th | 13.6 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 30th | 152.0 | 19th | 13.8 |
| 2017 | 72nd | 65.4 | 10th | 16.4 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY USAGE
| Carries | Carries Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 133 | 12.1 | 49 | 4.4 |
| 2017 | 74 | 18.5 | 16 | 4.0 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Overview: When on the field, Cook has proven he has the explosive power to be an RB1. However, injuries have kept him out for extended stretches in both of his NFL seasons.
Strategy: Our Dalvin Cook Auction Value ($200 Budget): $35
We like Cook if he falls to the 3rd, but he’s just too risky in the 2nd, compared to the players who are going around his spot (Nick Chubb, Mike Evans, George Kittle). The optimistic take is that Cook hasn’t injured the same place in multiple seasons, but including his college career he’s had trouble with a shoulder, a knee, a hamstring, and an ankle. We’ll see if he falls, but Dalvin Cook isn’t someone we’re targeting at his current ADP and AAV.
Best Case Scenario: Cook stays healthy and emerges as a solid RB1.
Worst Case Scenario: Cook is hobbled, but not enough to sit. Owners end up starting him for a slew of horrible statline games.
