Road to #1 Running Back - NFC West

Each year, elite running backs are a necessity for fantasy football rosters. With guaranteed touches each game, these consensus top-tier running backs are some of the first names off of draft boards and consistently perform well throughout the season.

However, there is also a good amount of unpredictability at the position, with breakout players appearing from out of nowhere year-in and year-out. Whether they dominate for stretches over the year or end up as top-level talents themselves, unproven or underrated running backs represent a very good opportunity for fantasy owners entering drafts due to their lower draft capital and high production premiums.

In this series, we will go through each NFL division and point out one running back on each team in that division that is currently ranked outside of the top-12 at the position who could finish among the league's best when all is said and done. Today, let's look at the NFC West and see who could be that next elite fantasy ballcarrier.

Running Backs - NFC West

John Kelly, LAR

With veteran running back Todd Gurley locking up the top overall selection in the majority of fantasy drafts following his spectacular play in 2017, it is very unlikely that anyone behind him on the depth chart is able to contribute with meaningful reps out of the backfield. Last year, Malcom Brown was the player who spelled Gurley when he was tired. However, this year it may be 6th round pick John Kelly who is able to take over as the complimentary back to Gurley in the backfield. Coming from Tennessee, Kelly drew some comparisons to former teammate Alvin Kamara throughout the draft season. Although he was ultimately selected by the Rams with one of their last picks in the draft, Kelly still has enough big-play ability to make the team's roster. Should something happen to Gurley that sees him miss extended time, it could be on Kelly to take over the team's backfield and ensure that all runs smoothly, making him an interesting option to keep an eye on heading into the season.

Rashaad Penny, SEA

Despite being considered by most to be a second or third round prospect, Rashaad Penny was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by a team in desperate need of a running back. Since the departure of Marshawn Lynch, Seattle has found it difficult to keep their ground game alive, with last season's performance one of the worst among the NFL. However, the Seahawks tried to address that need in the offseason by getting Penny on their team with a very high draft pick. Penny brings a do-it-all skillset, as he had over 2,200 rushing yards in his final season in college. Although he did not get the most receiving work, Penny has been working on his receiving and pass protection throughout the offseason and has garnered praise from head coach Pete Carroll. With the only challengers to Penny's starting spot being Chris Carson and Mike Davis, this is Penny's backfield to lose. It's clear that despite the plethora of different backs in Seattle, the team wasn't happy with what they had and decided to go out and get a premier talent that they could rely on as one of their main playmakers going forward. Therefore, there is every reason to suspect that Penny becomes a talent worthy of the draft capital spent on him and is able to produce RB1 performances each week. This makes him a terrific value that fantasy owners can currently grab in the 4th round of drafts. Penny is a solid talent in a backfield that should rely on him on a team with playmakers like quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver Doug Baldwin - he should be a good fantasy option in 2018.

Chase Edmonds, ARI

With the return of running back David Johnson from injury, the Cardinals backfield should run through him in 2018. Johnson showed us just what he was capable of in 2016, with an elite performance putting his name atop fantasy watch-lists heading into 2017. However, an injury in his first game made the repeat impossible, and the Cardinals ground game suffered as a result. With a new head coach and run-heavy system, Johnson should once again thrive this season as he capitalizes on his rushing ability and additional receiving work. Nevertheless, should something happen to Johnson, it will likely fall on the shoulders of Chase Edmonds to take over the backfield. Although speedster T.J. Logan is in the mix, rookie Chase Edmonds has shown enough so far in the preseason to justify the belief that he will be Johnson's backup to start 2018. Edmonds was extremely productive at Fordham during his college years and has drawn comparisons to Johnson himself this offseason. Edmonds is certainly one to watch for as a complimentary piece to Johnson and a potential workhorse back should something happen to the former Pro Bowl running back in 2018.

Jerick McKinnon, SF

Despite failing to top four yards per carry in his last two seasons, Jerick McKinnon was able to land a lucrative contract with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Emerging as a big-play compliment to Latavius Murray in 2018, McKinnon was able to accumulate 570 yards on 150 attempts (and score three rushing touchdowns) while also adding 51 receptions for 421 yards through the air (and a further two scores). With a move to San Francisco, head coach Kyle Shanahan is banking on McKinnon demonstrating his big-play ability across all phases of the offense and truly becoming a workhorse back in 2018. Although McKinnon was never able to solidify the starting job for the Vikings, he could become a bigger contributor in 2018 with a new team and relatively uncompetitive backfield. If McKinnon is able to maintain high snap shares throughout the season, he should be in the conversation for RB1 status given how productive Shanahan's running backs have been in recent years. McKinnon's current second round draft price may be a bit too early for the former college quarterback, but if fantasy owners believe that McKinnon is due for a quality season, there should be no problem banking on a career year for the do-it-all back.

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