Who To Watch - Latavius Murray
(Oakland Raiders, Running Back)
Week 4
In the world of fantasy football, running backs are the most important part of your roster. If you want to be successful throughout the season and be the champion of your league, you must have a roster with multiple skilled running backs. There are many reasons why certain RBs, like: Charles, Lynch, Lacy, Peterson, and Bell, are successful. While the physical characteristics are important, it is crucial to not over-look the pure skill of your running backs. When taking a deeper look at your RBs, Latavius Murray is one of the most talented running backs in the league.
At 6'2", 230 pounds, Latavius Murray is built as the perfect NFL running back. Coming out of the University of Central Florida, the 20 year old was known for his incredible, north-south speed. In college, he was named Liberty Bowl MVP (2010), UCF MVP (2012), and First Team All-C-USA (2013). At the 2013 NFL combine, Murray ran a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash. During the 2013 NFL draft, he was mostly overlooked by most teams for two reasons, (1) ball vision and (2) sloppy footwork. He was drafted in the 6th round by the Oakland Raiders as a developing backup RB and a quick special teams returner.In his first two seasons, Latavius shared touches with 2 different veteran backs, Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. He was also placed on the IR at the end of his rookie season. He spent more time as the return man for the Raiders and was able to develop his skills in the backfield while rehabbing his injury.
In the 2014 season, Murray was positioned deep in the Raiders. In only 15 games played, Murray rushed for 424 yards in 82 attempts; he recorded 2 rushing touchdowns; and he performed well in the passing game with 143 yards on 17 receptions. He was called upon to start in week 11, when Oakland took on the San Diego Chargers. He put up great numbers against a strong Chargers defense with 59 yards on 7 touches. His performance at the end of the 2014 season drew more attention to his potential.
Coming into the 2015 season, Latavius Murray's average rank among the fantasy experts was 29th overall and 13th among running backs, which is ranked behind the overrated running backs, like: DeMarco Murray, CJ Anderson, and Jeremy Hill. The Oakland running back is currently ranked 23rd and higher than the RBs ranked above him before the season. Through three weeks, the Raiders are 2-1 and look to have an exciting, unexpected winning season. The reason for their recent success is led by their extremely talented running back. In these first few games as the lone back, Murray has rushed 52 times for 248 yards and 2 TDs; he's recorded 11 receptions for 68 yards. Murray's stats through week 3 have already exceeded the Raider's expectations for their number one halfback.
Now that I have given all the stats, let's take a look at Latavius Murray's fantasy value. As you can see from my entire Who To Watch article, Murray is a young, talented running back on the rise to become one of the best backs in the league. The RotoStaff from CBS Sports spoke about his fantasy value, "Murray is clearly the main workhorse in the Raiders' offense and if they continue to throw it around as successfully as they have over the last two games, the third year back should have some large holes to run through." Everyone is getting excited about the young offense in Oakland. Surprisingly, Murray is a buy low. For those of you who haven't caught on to the fantasy language just yet, "buy low" means you have the opportunity to trade for a less productive player for the player you want. For those of you daring enough to try out DraftKings and/or FanDuel, Murray is only priced at $5,700 for week 4. He is an RB1 with an RB2 price. He is very affordable for your roster. All in all, Latavius Murray is going a young running back, but he has huge upside potential. My advise to you is to get him now before he gets big; he is a must have on every roster.
-Who Else To Watch in Week 4-
Andy Dalton (CIN • QB) - Out of nowhere, the red rocket, Andy Dalton, has become a top 5 QB this season. Through three weeks, Dalton has led the Bangles to a great start. Utilizing his weapons in AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, and Tyler Eifert, the Bangles are 3-0. With a week 4 matchup against Kansas City, look for Dalton to continue to throw the ball well, while Cincinnati continues to struggle running the ball. Priced right in DFS, Dalton is an affordable start at QB, our performing his price every week.
Derek Carr (OAK • QB) - Continuing a great performance last week against the Cleveland Browns, Carr threw for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. In a young offense, the Oakland Raiders have found a guy that can lead them in the right direction. Carr might not be a weekly start, but he is a good streaming option heading into the weeks ahead that are full of big names QBs on BYEs. He's definitely a pickup now and stash on the bench for the coming weeks. With a midrange price in DFS, Carr is not a bad start against the Chicago Bears this week.
Charles Sims (TB • RB) - Sharing the snaps with veteran halfback, Doug Martin, no one in fantasy knows what to do. Martin or Sims? The Tampa Bay Buccs' front office were basically worshipping Doug Martin during the preseason, while the Buccs' were praising the production from their rookie back, Charles Sims. I guess we now know - the job for lead back is still up for grabs in Tamp Bay. With head coach, Lovie Smith, giving more touches to Charles this past, it would be smart for fantasy owners to pickup Sims now, before he gets hot. Sims is still only owned in less than 20% of leagues. Staying away from him in Daily, FLEX option in PPR.
Giovani Bernard (CIN • RB) - Well adding to the first round busts this year, Jeremy Hill has proven anything. With his continues struggles in the backfield, handcuff running back, Giovani Bernard, is the best start in Cincinnati. A solid PPR running back option, Bernard is now beginning his ascend into the starting role for standard leagues, as well. The starting job is still up in the air, but from what I've seen so far this year, Giovani has the best chance to snag it. Still available in a few leagues, he should be owned in 100% of leagues by the end of the week.
Eric Decker (NYJ • WR) - Decker might be one of the toughest players in the NFL. Coming back from a knee injury and headed to London, England for their matchup against the horrible Miami Dolphins, fantasy owners are anxiously waiting to hear about Eric Decker's status. Without hearing from any analysts or reporters, I just have a gut feeling that he'll be back this week. Playing lights out this year, Decker is a WR2 with tremendous upside. I like Decker for Daily and especially in PPR leagues. Now, keep an eye on Decker's status. The Jets probably won't be issuing any statements until Sunday morning (keep in mind that the Jets-Dolphins game is at 9:00am ET); so be ready and have a solid backup that you can sling in there just in case.
Allen Hurns (JAX • WR) - One of the most surprising teams for me this year is the Jacksonville Jaguars. With there young QB, Blake Bortles, playing well, both Hurns and Robinson are great WRs this week. Bortles, owned in less than 30% of leagues, is another QB to add and stash. Hurns, owned in only 50% of leagues, is an absolute must add in all leagues. Hurns and Robinson are both great wideouts; ROS, Robinson is a for sure WR1, and Hurns is a WR2 with a ton of upside. He is a weekly starter and a great start for his cheap price on DFS.
Richard Rodger (GB • TE) - Rodgers is turning into my favorite streaming tight end. He is a boom-or-bust TE, for sure. But let's think about this... If you don't have Gronk or Olsen, then your TE is already a boom-or-bust play. He is matchup dependent; also, keep an eye on the injuries in Green Bay. I believe Aaron Rodgers likes having Richard out there lined up as a wideout, instead of some of the younger Packers receivers, like Montgomery and Janis. Still staying away in DFS but not a bad start in PPR.
Gary Barnidge (CLE • TE) - Barnidge has become a fantasy all-star this year at TE. McCown seems to only throw to his tight end, Gary Barnidge, and his wideout, Travis Benjamin. He's a popular player coming into week 4. He definitely needs to be added in all leagues. Also, he is a great play at tight end in DFS - great numbers for such a cheap price.
By: Cameron Black
@GBCam_Black
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