Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 11-9

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:10 p.m. ET

Fansided, Dan Thomas/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

On today's list of fantasy football"s top 101 PPR players of 2017 we feature two of the best young running backs in the NFL.

If an owner wants a successful fantasy football season she/he must find at least one productive running back. Both of the running backs on today's list had successful 2016 campaigns and are primed for another big season.

Which one of the two should owners draft first?

To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here's a look at players ranked No. 11-9:

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates after he scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

11. Mike Evans, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After what we saw Mike Evans was capable of between 2014-15, it was no surprise to see what kind of season he had in 2016. Last year, Evans set a career-high in receptions (96) and receiving yards (1,321) while tying a career high in touchdown receptions (12). He finished as the third PPR wide receiver and was 3.3 points shy from being the best wide receiver in fantasy. Despite the great year, I do see a regression coming Evans way in 2017.

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Injuries and suspensions to running backs Doug Martin and Charles Sims was a big reason the team finished 24th in rushing offense after finishing fifth in 2015. With these two healthy and relatively available (Martin will be out Weeks 1-3), the Buccaneers should have a more successful ground game. The team also added DeSean Jackson, O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin during the offseason. With these new capable pass-catchers, there's no way Evans will reach 175 targets like last season.

At 6-5 and 231 pounds, Evans will continue to be a big threat near the end zone. Even with all the new weapons he still could finish with 10+ touchdowns for the third time in four years but it'll be a challenge. 78+ receptions and 1,100+ yards is all but a guarantee for Evans but his touchdown total will determine if he's a top-three wide receiver or top-10. Personally, I don't think Evans will repeat as a top-three wide fantasy receiver, but I think he'll be in the top five.

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) breaks a tackle by New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) on a touchdown run during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

10. Devonta Freeman, RB – Atlanta Falcons

In 2015 Falcons running back Devonta Freeman surprised the fantasy football community when he finished as the best PPR running back. He didn't have as strong as a year in 2016 but he still finished as the sixth PPR running back. A big reason Freeman regressed last year was because he lost some touches to Tevin Coleman.

After only seeing 89 touches in 2015, Coleman had 149 last year. Due to the increase touches, Coleman finished with an extra 535 total yards and 10 touchdowns compared to 2015. He finished as the 19th PPR running back. Coleman will obviously see around 150 touches just like we saw last season, that doesn't mean Freeman can't be a high-end RB1 in fantasy.

Freeman is a good bet for 250+ touches in 2017 with plenty of work in the passing game. He will be running behind an offensive line Pro Football Focus graded sixth-best in the NFL after the 2016 season. There are other running backs who will have an opportunity for more touches than Freeman and don't have a capable backup behind them like Tevin Coleman. Yet, after back-to-back seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards, 13+ total touchdowns and 50+ receptions, Freeman is a safe option in a high-powered offense.

Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

9. Melvin Gordon, RB – Los Angeles Chargers

Last season Melvin Gordon finished as the seventh PPR running back but even that undersells how good Gordon was last year. Between Weeks 1-13, Gordon was the third-best fantasy running back. In Week 14 Gordon suffered a hip injury against the Carolina Panthers and his day was over after three carries. Gordon would go on to miss the remainder of the 2016 season. Going into this season, Gordon's outlook is stronger than ever.

The Chargers elected to not add any running backs that would be considered real competition and let Danny Woodhead walk in free agency. Gordon is a threat for 325+ touches after finishing with 292 in the team's first 13 games last season. The team also beefed up their offensive line by adding Russell Okung in free agency and drafting Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney during the 2017 NFL Draft. The team added one more name that should benefit Gordon.

After four years with Mike Mccoy as the Chargers head coach, Anthony Lynn will be the team's new head coach in 2017. Trust me when I tell you Lynn will want to run the ball this season. Lynn was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator for 14 games last season after the team fired Greg Roman. In 2016 ,the Bills ranked first in rushing yards and second in rushing attempts. The Bills running back, LeSean McCoy, finished as the fourth PPR running back.

Gordon goes into 2017 with an improved offensive line and a run-first head coach. Make no mistake about it: Gordon is a first-round pick and dark horse to finish 2017 as the best PPR running back.