10 PPR Running Backs to Target in Your 2017 Fantasy Football Draft
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Standard Running Back Rank: 14
PPR Running Back Rank: 15
Average Draft Position (PPR): 6.10 (RB31)
You're probably surprised to see Mark Ingram on this list. Whether it's the acquisitions of Adrian Peterson and Alvin Kamara giving you pause, or the fact that Ingram feels more like a smashmouth runner than a finesse pass-catcher, you're probably skeptical of us mentioning him as a value in a PPR setting. But in reality, Ingram was one of the most successful pass-catching running backs in the NFL last season.
Among running backs who saw at least 50 targets in 2016, Ingram finished fourth in Reception NEP per target (at 0.48), just edging out PPR monster Le'Veon Bell. That was a vast improvement from his 2015 season in the passing game, as you can see below:
| Year | Targets | Receptions | Reception NEP/Target | League Average | RB Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 60 | 50 | 0.22 | 0.36 | 21 of 22 |
| 2016 | 58 | 46 | 0.48 | 0.34 | 4 of 21 |
The New Orleans Saints have targeted their running backs more than any team in the NFL over the last two years, and they have one of the top-six easiest schedules for running backs in 2017, too, making their backfield one that fantasy owners want to have stock in.
Unfortunately, Peterson is sure to eat into Ingram's touches -- we just don't know how much. But at 32 years old and having played just 20 games over the last three seasons (including a disastrous 2016), the fact that Peterson is going a full round ahead of Ingram at RB24 is backwards.
We currently have Ingram projected for 39.41 receptions and 197.73 fantasy points in 2017 versus 17.46 catches and 120.66 total points for Peterson, should he manage to play all 16 games. Ingram, in this case, is the better PPR choice, and he's available a full round later in most drafts.
