While Latavius Murray rushed for 1,066 yards last season, he is barely ranked as a top 20 fantasy running back. Say what? Murray went to the Pro Bowl, and he has eyes on returning to the NFL’s all-star game on his own accord, rather than as a replacement, so why the lack of love? Especially since the Raiders are committed to having a balanced offense and keeping him as the workhorse.
Latavius Murray
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 955.3 yards, 5.4 TDs
Over or under: Over for both. Here we go again. Just like with quarterback Derek Carr, whose projections were lower than what he put up a year ago, Murray figures to only improve with a year of seasoning. Plus, while Murray dealt with injury all season, he did not miss a game and he finished third in the NFL in carries (266), sixth in rushing yards (1,066) and tied for 12th in rushing TDs (six). But his “rate stats” are what give observers pause -- 4.0 yards per carry, just 1.9 yards after contact, only six weeks scoring within the top 20 RBs. And with the Raiders drafting the shifty DeAndre Washington in the fifth round, some of Murray’s carries are sure to go that way, no? Yes, but that could mean Murray only becomes more efficient as he stays fresher.
Who else could see time: At 5-foot-8 and 204 pounds, Washington is the epitome of a change-of-pace back to the 6-3, 225-pound Murray so he will cut into Murray’s carries, if not his production.
