As we press closer to the start of fantasy football drafts, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley has some advice regarding where you should select him.
"Oh, No. 1 overall, for sure," Gurley said on NFL Network's NFL Total Access on Friday. "I mean you maybe could choose AB. You maybe could choose Antonio Brown over me, but that's about it. No body else.... Maybe Cam (Newton), that's it. Cam and AB."
NFL Media's Lindsay Rhodes astutely (and jokingly) pointed out that if she gave Gurley more time, he might add eight more players to the list.
While he likely won't be drafted No. 1 overall in most fantasy leagues, Gurley certainty warrants a first-round selection.
Despite missing three games, Gurley finished third in the NFL in rushing last season with 1,106 yards, added 10 touchdowns, earned five 100-yard rushing games and 4.83 yards per carry.
Playing with a passing game that might hardly scare a Pop Warner team, however, took its toll. Defenses stacked the box against Gurley, daring the Rams to throw the ball. With extra defenders geared to stop him, Gurley earned 2.5 yards per carry fewer in his last eight starts.
First four games as starter: 22.0 carries per game; 141.5 rush YPG; 6.4 yards per carry
Last eight games: 16.9 carries per game; 66.4 rush YPG; 3.9 yards per carry
With rookie Jared Goff likely under the helm in 2016, the Rams hope an improved passing attack will loosen up some of those stacked boxes. With a rookie signal-caller and middling receiver talent, however, the offense will still flow through Gurley.
If Le'Veon Bell doesn't return fully healthy and Adrian Peterson's age begins to show, Gurley has an excellent shot to be the top running back in the NFL in just his second season.
