Despite occupying the role of featured back on their respective squads, both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews are uncertain fantasy commodities.
Murray led the Dallas Cowboys with 663 and four touchdowns on a 4.1-yard average. The San Diego Chargers had Mathews as their top dog with his 707 yards on the ground last season.
Two running backs that produced well below the 1,000-yard threshold certainly aren’t compelling options for fantasy owners. The reputable brains at Pro Football Focus may have rated them both as top-20 players at their position in 2012. However, such accolades still won’t push those folks operating in the fantasy realm to rank them in a similar echelon.
This is especially true considering either back hasn’t played a full 16-game season in their young careers.
So, the question is, can either Murray or Mathews fulfill their every-down, No. 1 RB responsibilities in 2013?
DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Murray missed two weeks in October and all of November last year due a ligament injury in his foot. It was the second-consecutive season in which he was absent for three or more games.
When healthy, Murray showed an impressive burst with a 5.4-yard average and 91-yard scamper in 2011. His average dropped to just 4.1 yards in 2012 despite his touchdown total doubling in three fewer contests (increased from two to four).
Enigmatic tendencies or not, Murray remains the Cowboys’ bell-cow running back. First-round pick Travis Frederick will help solidify the middle of the offensive line and fifth-rounder Joseph Randle will help keep Murray healthy as a change-of-pace weapon. These newly infused elements should bolster his production this season.
Predicting Murray’s 2013 numbers can go one of two ways: either we average his two-year accumulated stats, or project over a full 16-games—of course with the Tony Romo pass-first offense in mind.
We’ll split the difference. Just make sure Murray is a late-round RB pickup.
Projected Statistics (14 games): 940 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 200 receiving yards, one touchdown
Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
Say hello to another underachieving 6’0’’, 215-pound running back.
Like Murray, Mathews amassed career-lows in multiple categories. He rushed for a mere 3.8-yards-per-carry and reached the end zone just one time all year. Injuries also forced him to miss four games.
The Chargers were a total conundrum in 2012 and Mathews was a big part of it. Four of their seven wins came when Mathews was on the sideline. Quarterback Philip Rivers’ penchant for opting towards the pass notwithstanding, could his every-down back really detract from his team’s winning ways?
We certainly don’t subscribe to such an assertion. But one thing’s for sure: he didn’t register a single 100-yard output all season. His two lost fumbles also occurred during two San Diego defeats.
Mathews, however, will return to more of his 2011 form with a rejuvenated offense (see: WR Keenan Allen and RT D.J. Fluker). At the same time, dynamic free-agent signee Danny Woodhead will take away some of his touches in both the run and passing game.
No. 24 is yet another No. 2 RB option in your fantasy league.
Projected Statistics (14 games): 950 rushing yards, four touchdowns, 180 receiving yards, zero touchdowns
In Comparison
Again, neither Murray nor Mathews are viable RB1 selections in any fantasy league. They’re at least worth a backup slot or last-minute pickup.
DeMarco Murray: 148 fantasy points
Ryan Matthews: 135 fantasy points
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