Draft Strategy

Fantasy Running Backs YPC Average

By Gridiron Experts

Posted on May 27, 2012

One of the more trusted statistics of fantasy RB’s when searching for hidden gems, is the yards per carry average. That ability to gain every extra yard is a valuable asset to any NFL team. Most fantasy owners study total yards or touchdowns, yet a high YPC average for players who are splitting carries or are trying to earn their stripes in the NFL is a great indication of things to come.

YPC Average: Fantasy RB’s

Best YPC Average	G	Rush	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	TD
Darren Sproles	16	87	603	6.9	2	86	710	7
Fred Jackson	10	170	934	5.5	6	39	442	0
DeMarco Murray	13	164	897	5.5	2	26	183	0
DeAngelo Williams	16	155	836	5.4	7	16	135	0
Ben Tate	15	175	942	5.4	4	13	98	0
Darren McFadden	7	113	614	5.4	4	19	154	1
Jonathan Stewart	16	142	761	5.4	4	47	413	1
C.J. Spiller	16	107	561	5.2	4	39	269	2
Pierre Thomas	16	110	562	5.1	5	50	425	1
Stevan Ridley	16	87	441	5.1	1	3	13	0
Reggie Bush	15	216	1086	5.0	6	43	296	1

Sleeper DeMarco Murray had a excellent rookie season as a back up for the Cowboys. After a brief moment in the spotlight his worth to the Cowboys this year will be tested for a much more featured role, despite projected Depth Charts

Seeing both the Carolina and Buffalo RB’s on the top of list is a definite indication that the offensive system being ran for those teams is very productive. Great offensive lines make things so much easier. Same could be said about the New Orleans Saints, but the abilities of Darren Sproles can not be understated. Sproles is a lethal running back that should be ranked high on everyone’s fantasy board this year.

Players like Darren McFadden and Fred Jackson who were injured early or mid-way through the season are usually the types of RB’s forgotten about when fantasy owners are prepping their draft boards. Remember injuries are a part of the game, you can not completely right-off a player due to an injury, but you can also not buy in to positive recovery media news. An injury to an ACL usually takes at least one season to recover from, and another season to regain their step. While both Jackson and McFadden are temping, make sure you are convinced they are recovered before investing a high draft pick.

Complete Fantasy Running Backs YPC Average

Name	Team	G	Rush	Yds	Avg	TD	Fum	FumL
Darren Sproles	NOR	16	87	603	6.9	2	0	0
Fred Jackson	BUF	10	170	934	5.5	6	2	2
DeMarco Murray	DAL	13	164	897	5.5	2	1	0
DeAngelo Williams	CAR	16	155	836	5.4	7	0	0
Darren McFadden	OAK	7	113	614	5.4	4	1	1
Ben Tate	HOU	15	175	942	5.4	4	4	3
Jonathan Stewart	CAR	16	142	761	5.4	4	1	0
C.J. Spiller	BUF	16	107	561	5.2	4	2	0
Pierre Thomas	NOR	16	110	562	5.1	5	1	1
Stevan Ridley	NWE	16	87	441	5.1	1	1	0
Reggie Bush	MIA	15	216	1086	5	6	4	2
Ryan Mathews	SDG	14	222	1091	4.9	6	5	2
Toby Gerhart	MIN	16	109	531	4.9	1	1	0
Matt Forte	CHI	12	203	997	4.9	3	2	2
Donald Brown	IND	16	134	645	4.8	5	0	0
Willis McGahee	DEN	15	249	1199	4.8	4	4	3
LeSean McCoy	PHI	15	273	1309	4.8	17	1	1
Ray Rice	BAL	16	291	1364	4.7	12	2	2
Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	16	343	1606	4.7	8	6	1
Adrian Peterson	MIN	12	208	970	4.7	12	1	0
Jahvid Best	DET	6	84	390	4.6	2	0	0
Felix Jones	DAL	12	127	575	4.5	1	5	2
Dexter McCluster	KAN	16	114	516	4.5	1	2	2
Michael Turner	ATL	16	301	1340	4.5	11	3	2
Arian Foster	HOU	13	278	1224	4.4	10	5	3
Steven Jackson	STL	15	260	1145	4.4	5	2	1
Isaac Redman	PIT	16	110	479	4.4	3	2	2
James Starks	GNB	13	133	578	4.3	1	2	1
Beanie Wells	ARI	14	245	1047	4.3	10	4	2
Frank Gore	SFO	16	282	1211	4.3	8	2	2
Shonn Greene	NYJ	16	253	1054	4.2	6	1	0
Roy Helu	WAS	15	151	640	4.2	2	2	2
Marshawn Lynch	SEA	15	285	1204	4.2	12	3	2
Kendall Hunter	SFO	16	112	473	4.2	2	0	0
Lance Ball	DEN	16	96	402	4.2	1	2	2
Ryan Grant	GNB	15	134	559	4.2	2	1	1
LeGarrette Blount	TAM	14	184	781	4.2	5	5	3
Ricky Williams	BAL	16	108	444	4.1	2	2	2
Carnell Williams	STL	11	87	361	4.1	1	1	1
Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	15	228	928	4.1	9	1	1
Maurice Morris	DET	16	80	316	4	1	1	0
Mike Tolbert	SDG	15	121	490	4	8	2	1
Chris Johnson	TEN	16	262	1047	4	4	3	1
Jackie Battle	KAN	15	149	597	4	2	0	0
Mark Ingram	NOR	10	122	474	3.9	5	1	1
Cedric Benson	CIN	15	273	1067	3.9	6	5	2
Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	12	171	659	3.9	9	1	1
Brandon Jacobs	NYG	14	152	571	3.8	7	3	0