(Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Larry_Fitzgerald_2015.JPG under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)
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.
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.
David Johnson ADP and AAV:
Standard: 6th among running backs. 6th overall.
PPR: 6th among running backs. 7th overall.
Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $53
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 10th | 196.7 | 13th | 12.3 |
| 2017 | Breaking the hearts of fantasy owners everywhere | |||
| 2016 | 1st | 323.4 | 1st | 21.6 |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 9th | 246.7 | 11th | 15.4 |
| 2017 | Making fantasy owners stare into the abyss | |||
| 2016 | 1st | 400.4 | 1st | 26.7 |
FANTASY USAGE
| Carries | Carries Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 258 | 16.1 | 76 | 4.8 |
| 2017 | Making many wonder about the existence of a benevolent higher power | |||
| 2016 | 293 | 18.3 | 120 | 7.5 |
Overview: David Johnson is one of the great question marks of the 2019 fantasy football season. He is, without a doubt, one of the most talented running backs in football. There is also nobody whose talent was being squandered more in 2018. He had the 3rd most rushing attempts in the NFL in 2018, which was the Arizona Cardinal’s equivalent of driving a Ferrari repeatedly into a brick wall. Because for some silly reason, Johnson was only 18th in receiving last year, with 50 catches on 76 targets. In comparison, in 2016, he led the NFL in receiving among running backs with 80 catches on 120 targets. This is the main reason the Cardinals are now under new management.
Strategy: Our David Johnson Auction Value ($200 Budget): $53
The strategy here is simple. If you aren’t picking in the top five and David Johnson falls to you, you should strongly consider drafting him. His upside is off the charts. The only reason he isn’t being talked about in the same breath as Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley is because of how terrible the Cardinal’s were. We like him and we like him a lot.
Best Case Scenario: David Johnson has the ability to be the best fantasy running back in 2019. All he needs is for the Cardinals to not waste his ability.
Worst Case Scenario: The Arizona Cardinals utilize their ability to completely waste one of the best running backs in football, as evidenced by David Johnson’s 2018 season.
