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Running backs are one of the most important positions in fantasy football. First of all, usually teams are allowed to start multiple in a week. Then, of course, there's the fact that they have high-potential for consistent weekly scoring.
With that in mind, you tend to see a lot of running backs come off the board in the first few rounds. You usually don't hear “there's a run on running backs” in a draft because they're steadily taken throughout the day. Contrary to that, you'll almost always hear “kicker run” or “a lot of defenses being taken” or “that's the fourth straight QB!”
However, that doesn't mean all running backs are equal. The dual-threat running backs tend to be the biggest draws, as they can give a fantasy football team scoring from a bunch of different avenues.
Two of the elite-level dual-threat running backs are Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. However, which one should you target first in a fantasy football draft?
We're looking at two running backs with two years of experience on their side. Both had strong rookie years but improved in year two. With year three on the horizon, you have to wonder if it will be more improvement or if a plateau – or even worse decline – could happen.
Admittedly, it wouldn't be easy for the players to improve because they've both been so impressive, but it could happen.
For Kamara, the big thing is his touches. Although the New Orleans Saints brought in Latavius Murray – that's still a step down from Mark Ingram. Due to that, a slight increase in workload per game could be in play for Kamara.
McCaffrey, on the other hand, has a much more mixed-bag behind him with the Carolina Panthers. He'll get the hefty bulk of touches.
Kamara saw an increase in touches last season – going from 120 carries to 194. That led to a bump from 728 yards and eight touchdowns, to 883 yards and 12 touchdowns. He managed that in just 15 games last season, compared to 16 his rookie year.
Both seasons also saw him reel in 81 receptions – however, he had 826 yards and five touchdowns in 2017 and 709 yards and four touchdowns in 2018.
While you should expect more touches for Kamara, don't expect that major of a bump (74 carries) again.
McCaffrey saw an even crazier promotion in role though. In his rookie season, McCaffrey had 117 carries (435 yards and two touchdowns) and 80 receptions (651 yards and five touchdowns). Last season though, he ran the ball 219 times (1,098 yards and seven touchdowns) and caught 107 passes (867 yards and six touchdowns).
It's pretty obvious the Panthers are ready to give him full control at the position.
With all that in mind, there's a pretty simple way to look at this. Alvin Kamara has more big-play potential. He's likely going to score more touchdowns due to that – which are extremely valuable. However, Christian McCaffrey is going to touch the ball a lot more.
Therefore, there are two different answers to this question.
If you're in a standard or scoring only fantasy football league – target Alvin Kamara first. However, if you're in a PPR fantasy football league – bet on Christian McCaffrey.
