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2015 Fantasy Football ADP: PPR vs. Standard - Running Backs

Now that we've covered the top-50 ADP in points per reception leagues and some over and underrated players in standard formats, it's time to examine which players are affected most by the differing sets of rules. The standard ADP's come from Yahoo and PPR data is from NFFC. The table below shows the top-50 running backs, sorted by those favored in PPR formats.

NameStandardPPR+/-
C.J. Spiller, NO83.142.540.6
Shane Vereen, NYG119.382.936.4
Tre Mason, Stl120.285.534.7
Duke Johnson, Cle125.891.634.2
Giovani Bernard, Cin93.361.831.5
Ryan Mathews, Phi124.296.827.4
Ameer Abdullah, Det98.471.526.9
Charles Sims, TB127.8103.124.7
Joseph Randle, Dal80.456.324.1
T.J. Yeldon, Jax77.953.824.1
Tevin Coleman, Atl92.769.423.3
Devonta Freeman, Atl125.0103.621.4
Joique Bell, Det94.674.819.8
Doug Martin, TB112.092.419.6
Jonathan Stewart, Car75.857.018.8
Andre Ellington, Ari63.346.117.2
Lamar Miller, Mia59.943.716.2
Knile Davis, KC127.6111.516.1
David Johnson, Ari129.1115.114.0
Isaiah Crowell, Cle111.597.713.8
Latavius Murray, Oak58.845.113.7
Rashad Jennings, NYG98.389.78.6
Jay Ajayi, Mia126.6118.18.5
Darren McFadden, Dal108.8102.46.4
Le'Veon Bell ,Pit7.01.85.3
C.J. Anderson, Den20.515.35.2
Justin Forsett, Bal31.527.44.1
Bishop Sankey, Ten125.5122.72.8
LeGarrette Blount, NE89.687.52.1
Reggie Bush, SF118.7119.2-0.5
Danny Woodhead, SD121.5122.1-0.6
LeSean McCoy, Buf16.617.2-0.6
Adrian Peterson, Min2.53.6-1.1
Eddie Lacy, GB3.57.0-3.5
Matt Forte ,Chi12.116.3-4.2
Melvin Gordon, SD30.634.8-4.2
Jamaal Charles, KC1.76.4-4.7
Frank Gore, Ind35.641.1-5.5
Jeremy Hill, Cin16.021.9-5.9
Mark Ingram, NO37.744.0-6.3
DeMarco Murray, Phi13.120.0-6.9
Carlos Hyde, SF41.549.7-8.2
Chris Ivory, NYJ119.7128.4-8.7
Marshawn Lynch, Sea4.114.8-10.7
Montee Ball, Den121.4133.7-12.3
Todd Gurley, StL41.956.6-14.7
Alfred Morris, Was34.659.6-25.0
Darren Sproles, Phi116.1164.6-48.5
DeAngelo Williams, Pit122.8173.7-50.9
Andre Williams, NYG122.4173.4-51.0

One thing that jumps out to me immediately is four rookie runners -- Duke Johnson (+34.2), Ameer Abdullah (+26.9), TJ Yeldon (+24.1) and Tevin Coleman (+23.1) -- getting a nice bump in PPR drafts. A lot of roles yet to be determined in those particular backfields, but each player figures to get a sizable share of the touches, making them valuable assets in PPR leagues even if they don't get lead-back carries. Detroit, in particular, figures to once again rank near the top of the league in running back targets through the air. The Lions finished second with 165 in 2014. New Orleans was first with 166 passing targets to their backfield.

Tre Mason (+34.7) is an interesting case, since it was a lack of passing down proficiency that led to his time on the bench early in 2014. This looks like a case of NFFC owners shying away from Todd Gurley (-14.7) in favor of the second-year back due Mason's likely heavy workload to start the season. All of that can change if/when Gurley gets on the field.

Favored in PPR Leagues

C.J. Spiller, NO (+40.6)
Spiller landed in the perfect place this off-season to restore his fantasy value. Saints running backs have routinely led the NFL in passing targets under head coach Sean Payton. Spiller is still a dynamic open-field runner and will fill Pierre Thomas' vacated role in New Orleans.

Shane Vereen, NYG (+36.4)
Vereen proved to be one the of leagues premier pass-catchers out of the backfield in New England, averaging about 50 receptions the last two years. He is expected to continue that role in New York. In standard leagues, though, Vereen is much less valuable behind both Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams for early down work.

Giovani Bernard, Cin (+31.5)
Cincinnati has developed a true thunder and lightning backfield with Bernard as the shifty third-down back and Jeremy Hill acting as the brute. Bernard's usage was down across the board in 2014 compared to his rookie year, but if Hill goes down with an injury, the third-year man would instantly become one of the more valuable backs in the league.

Favored in Standard Leagues

Marshawn Lynch, SEA (-10.7)
Lynch is annually one of the players hurt by PPR, but with his "beast mode" ability in Seattle's run-heavy offense, the veteran is still being selected in the high second round in NFFC leagues.

Andre Williams, NYG (-51.0)
Willams takes the biggest tumble in PPR drafts thanks to a lousy set of mitts. The second-year back disappointed carrying the ball in his rookie season as well, and would need an injury to starter Rashad Jennings to have any fantasy impact.