Who were the most popular players in Rotoworld’s NFL section in 2015? Check out our top 50 based on traffic to player pages. Click on any of the links below to see all of our top-50 player reviews:
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1. Arian Foster, Texans
Most injured in the preseason equaled most searched in the regular season for Foster, a “Most Searched” mainstay thanks to his frequent bumps and bruises. Foster didn’t play a single snap after Week 7, but squeezed in a season’s worth of fantasy anxiety before rupturing his Achilles’ tendon. He could be anything from RB1 to on injured reserve in 2016.
2. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
Previously ageless, Lynch ended up playing just 312 snaps after being the No. 5 player off the board by average draft position. His injuries were frequent, with the last including an uncertain timeline that required weekly status checks. A playoff return remains up in the air.
3. Alshon Jeffery, Bears
Jeffery was perhaps the most injured player in the league, but dominated between his frequent soft-tissue ailments. Jeffery routinely pulled up lame in practice, prompting his owners to Google his status Thursday, Friday and twice on Sunday.
4. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars
The league’s most hyped rookie back, Yeldon ended up providing major injury uncertainty, with his final ailment leaving him week to week for the fantasy playoffs. Yeldon never quite boomed or busted, leaving him as a weekly enigma in need of second opinions.
5. Matt Forte, Bears
A first half workhorse, Forte became a second half question mark after a three-week absence left him in a timeshare with talented rookie Jeremy Langford. Forte’s workloads were never quite certain after his return, making him a player in need of constant double-checking.
6. Charcandrick West, Chiefs
You’re going to be noteworthy if you replace Jamaal Charles, but especially if you roll up 412 yards from scrimmage in one three-game span, as West did in Weeks 7-10. A 24-year-old second-year undrafted free agent, West could be a fantasy force for years to come.
7. C.J. Spiller, Saints
Thought to be “misused” for five years in Buffalo, Spiller seemed primed for fantasy glory in Pierre Thomas’ old role in New Orleans. Things quickly went awry. Spiller missed Week 1 as he recovered from knee surgery, and went on to produce just 70 touches and 47.1 fantasy points in 13 games. Due $3.25 million in 2016, Spiller will likely be released.
8. Brandon LaFell, Patriots
Stashed on the PUP list for the season’s first six weeks, LaFell offered promise as a mid-year reinforcement. He ended up being little more than a low-end WR3, producing zero touchdowns on 74 targets. 2014 Martavis Bryant, he was not.
9. Eddie Lacy, Packers
The No. 3 overall player by average draft position, Lacy went on to confound and disappoint like few other draft picks. The hefty back alternated injures with ineffectiveness, sharing work with James Starks as valleys often gave way to more valleys.
10. C.J. Anderson, Broncos
The No. 10 overall player this summer, Anderson hurt his ankle early on and could never live up to his lofty fantasy expectations. Even when Anderson was running well, he was forced to share work with Ronnie Hillman in a true timeshare.
11. Devonta Freeman, Falcons
A post-hype sleeper if there ever was one, Freeman took advantage of an early-season Tevin Coleman rib injury to cement himself as Atlanta’s every-down back. Freeman cooled considerably after racking up an astonishing 825 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in his first five starts, but still went on to finish as a top-two overall back. Freeman will be a hotly debated player in 2016, but his 2015 was one of the year’s most unforeseen stories.
12. LeSean McCoy, Bills
It was a bumpy road, but McCoy ended up finishing as an RB1 by average fantasy points. Injuries kept him out of the top 12 in raw points, but McCoy ran circles around the player who replaced him in Philadelphia (DeMarco Murray), and likely showed enough to hold off Karlos Williams for feature duties in 2016.
13. Carlos Hyde, 49ers
Hyde’s monster Week 1 had him on an RB1 track, but injury issues and a lack of surrounding talent quickly sent him tumbling down the ranks. Hyde flashed enough that he’s an easy player to look forward to for 2016, but his supporting cast will remain a major question mark.
14. Antonio Gates, Chargers
Suspended for Weeks 1-4, Gates returned with a two-touchdown outburst, but frequently battled injury thereafter. He ended up scoring only three more times as his effectiveness ebbed and flowed. Retirement was the late-season question, but Gates seems primed to return for 2016.
15. Tevin Coleman, Falcons
The No. 73 overall pick of the draft, Coleman entered the league the owner of a 7.12 YPC in the Big 10. Paired with running back guru Kyle Shanahan, Coleman seemed destined for big things, but an early-season rib injury opened the door for Devonta Freeman, who proceeded to burst through it. Coleman still has upside, but Freeman has a big leg up on No. 1 status for 2016.
16. Chris Ivory, Jets
A man of intrigue, Ivory battled minor injuries and cold streaks while nevertheless operating as an RB1. Ivory ran out of gas at season’s end, but not before turning in what was easily the best campaign of his six-year career. Headed for free agency, Ivory should remain a lead back for 2016.
17. Todd Gurley, Rams
The league’s best rookie running back since Adrian Peterson, it was unclear when Gurley would make his debut as he wrapped up his rehab from a torn ACL. The No. 10 overall pick ended up getting his feet wet in Week 3 before exploding for 146 yards in Week 4. Gurley finished with a 4.82 YPC, and should be locked in as a top-five player for years to come.
18. DeMarco Murray, Eagles
2014’s fantasy MVP, Murray was arguably the LVP in 2015. Murray got off to an unfathomably bad start, combining for 11 yards on 21 carries in Weeks 1 and 2. He never recovered, scoring only seven touchdowns all season while averaging 3.63 yards per carry. Chip Kelly is gone for 2016, but Murray’s effectiveness may never return.
19. Matt Jones, Redskins
Jones was compared to Marshawn Lynch by his general manager, but struggled for rhythm in a three-man committee. Jones teased at big-play ability and a varied skill-set, but cleared 70 yards rushing only once. He found the end zone a meager four times on 163 touches. With Alfred Morris headed for free agency, Jones is a player to watch for 2016, but not a guaranteed breakout back.
20. David Cobb, Titans
Cobb was in the mix for starting duties in camp before a severe calf injury landed him on injured reserve/designated to return. He finally debuted in Week 11, but went on to struggle mightily, producing 146 yards on 52 carries (2.81 YPC). Just a face in the crowd for a team in turmoil, Cobb could be anything from starting to out of Tennessee in 2016.
21. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
22. Ameer Abdullah, Lions
23. Andre Ellington, Cardinals
24. Latavius Murray, Raiders
25. Dion Lewis, Patriots
26. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers
27. T.Y. Hilton, Colts
28. Joseph Randle, Free Agent
29. Justin Forsett, Ravens
30. Joique Bell, Lions
31. Duke Johnson, Browns
32. Christine Michael, Seahawks
33. John Brown, Cardinals
34. Karlos Williams, Bills
35. Mike Evans, Bucs
36. Sam Bradford, Eagles
37. Dez Bryant, Cowboys
38. Julian Edelman, Patriots
39. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Bucs
40. Darren McFadden, Cowboys
41. Lamar Miller, Dolphins
42. Tre Mason, Rams
43. Davante Adams, Packers
44. Tom Brady, Patriots
45. Melvin Gordon, Chargers
46. Victor Cruz, Giants
47. Wes Welker, Rams
48. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
49. Frank Gore, Colts
50. David Johnson, Cardinals
