Fantasy Football: One Running Back to Target in Each Round of Your Draft
Dion Lewis, Tennessee Titans
ADP: 5.06 (RB24)
Only three backs -- Dion Lewis, Marshawn Lynch (5.07) and Kerryon Johnson (5.09) -- are coming off the board in the fifth round, and our models give Lewis the edge of the three, pegging him as the PPR RB25.
Holding a high-volume role in a top-shelf Patriots offense last season, Lewis checked in as the PPR RB16 despite a slow start that saw him log a mere 19 total carries across the first 5 weeks.
Offensively, the Titans clearly aren't the Pats. But new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur could be a great fit with Marcus Mariota, and this whole offense is due for some positive regression after Mariota posted a pencil-thin 2.9% touchdown rate following touchdown rates of 5.8% (2016) and 5.1% in his first two seasons.
Our models see Lewis holding a solid role in his new digs and forecast a fairly even timeshare between he and Derrick Henry. We project Lewis to go for 635 rushing yards and 3.73 scores on 124 carries while adding 43 grabs, 334 yards and 2.10 touchdowns in the passing game -- good enough to be our RB25, which falls right in line with his current ADP.
