5 Running Backs Who Drastically Outperformed Their Teammates in 2016
Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If it could go wrong for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' backfield this year, it probably did. Both Doug Martin and Charles Sims battled long-term injuries, and they struggled with their effectiveness when they were healthy.
Then there's Jacquizz Rodgers. He's a whole different story.
In order to illustrate this, let's just show you their efficiency numbers all in one table. For reference, the league-average Rushing NEP per carry for running backs is -0.01 with a Success Rate of 40.50%.
| Running Back | Carries | Rushing NEP | Rushing NEP per Carry | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Martin | 144 | -28.49 | -0.20 | 34.72% |
| Jacquizz Rodgers | 129 | 4.98 | 0.04 | 46.51% |
| Charles Sims | 51 | -0.30 | -0.01 | 27.45% |
Overall, Rodgers was fine this year, finishing 15th in Rushing NEP per carry and eighth in Success Rate. But when you put him up against his own teammates, he looks like a gosh-darn saint.
This is important for fantasy because Rodgers is the only one of the three not signed for 2017. He could wind up hitting the free-agent market with his age-27 season just around the corner. If he can land a decent opportunity, this could be a guy to watch in 2017.
As for the Buccaneers, there's not a lot of clarity there. They can now cut Martin without penalty due to his performance-enhancing drug suspension, which would be an unfortunate outcome with Martin seeking treatment in a rehabilitation facility.
If the team brings Rodgers back, there's a chance he could be the lead dog in Tampa Bay. If not, there will be plenty of questions around this team, and it may be a while before we get any sort of clarity.
