Niner Noise
FanSided

Fantasy football: 10 players you’ll want to avoid drafting early in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a 35 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a 35 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Titans. Derrick Henry. 8. player. 35. . Running Back

It’s kind of crazy to think Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry finds himself atop Round 4 fantasy football targets.

OK, it makes sense… sort of. Henry was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, and fantasy owners watched those numbers pile up on that memorable 99-yard touchdown rush he had late in 2018.

Let’s use the “late” as part of the equation, though.

Take away Henry’s performances in Weeks 13 and 14 — he had 238 yards and 170 yards in those two games, respectively — and the 25 year old would have had just 651 rush yards on the year, which would equate to an average of 46.5 yards per game.

That’s not even RB2 status for most fantasy leagues.

To make things even more provocative, Henry isn’t a pass-catching tailback, which limits his value in PPR leagues a lot. You might consider Henry a late-round fantasy add to help cover a bye week.

But don’t even think about going after him in Round 4. Not Round 5, and perhaps not even in Rounds 6 or 7. If someone else grabs him during your draft, great. You’ll be spared the decision.