The first candidate I will look at in this series will be Marlon Mack. I have Mack listed as my #12 running back for 2019. Lets start with some possible concerns.
“Isn’t he the guy who gets injured all the time?”
This quote is from my wife. My lovely wife plays in one fantasy football league per year. While researching this article I told her that I have Mack as my RB12. And she responded with the above quote. Ouch. Not a great way to begin my first article for the Fantasyfreaks. Having been married for 20 years I decided to take the high road and responded by telling her to go make me a sandwich. She is still not talking to me.
Ok fine, I will concede she has a point. Mack missed 2 games in his rookie season and 4 games in 2018 because of various injuries. If history is your guide there is a good chance he will miss a couple games in 2019. My response is that he showed he will play while banged up and was still effective. And the Colts clearly need him. According to statistics I found at NFL.com, they averaged just 67 rushing yards per game in 2018 without Mack.
So many things to love!
TheScore.com has the Colts offensive line ranked as the second best line in the league. Do yourself a favor and watch this 2 minute highlight video of Mack running behind that line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgvi5MNaz_A Notice how good he is at following his blocks, how quick and elusive he is in tight spaces. You will also notice that at 6′.0″ tall and 210 pounds, he is big enough to take hits and still fall forward.
In his 2017 rookie season Mack averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. During the 12 games he started in 2018(regular season), Mack averaged over 4.6 yards per carry. This type of year one to year two improvement is what many Ronald Jones owners are hoping for. Yes there are concerns that he was not very involved in the passing game. The colts front office is saying they see Mack as a 3 down back this season. Sure it is the off season and management says all sorts of things that end up being a lie. But after not addressing the RB position through draft or trade this off season, they are showing they believe with their actions. But even with the lack of receptions, Mack was still a top 10 fantasy back in the final 11 games of the 2018 season.
Conclusion
At just 23 years old, Marlon Mack is a clear breakout contender this season. I love his floor and his ceiling. If you are drafting in a dynasty startup this off season, you will have to draft Mack in the 3rd round at his current ADP. I really believe you can’t go wrong getting a 23 year old RB1 with your 3rd pick.
Stay tuned for my next article where I will cover Le’Veon Bell. Bell did not make my top 12 dynasty RB rankings. I will discuss why that is and let you know the names my brother called me when I told him I have Bell ranked 13th. I can assure you I responded in the same dignified manner in which I responded to my wife when she made her comment regarding Mack. Until next time.
Jon Davison
thefantasyfreaks.com
Dynasty fantasy football 