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While you were away: Running Backs

New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings, joins Geoff Ketchum to discuss his feelings on Super Bowl 50.

The last month of the calendar year is often a blur. Between holiday shopping, family get-togethers, and social obligations, staying focused on fantasy takes extra effort. For owners whose teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, the incentive is nil. Even for those still alive, trends and breakout players can be missed.

Yet, there are always a few guys who turn it on in December and are able to take that momentum into the following season. Heck, the Super Bowl bound Carolina Panthers are an example of just that.

So if you happened to check out around Week 13, don’t worry. Over the next three weeks I’ll be profiling five players in each article who turned it on… while you were away.

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns
Eagle-eyed vision, a merciless stiff arm, and more burn than the whole of Sanders’ supporters… these are just a few of the traits that make Crowell special. The Georgia native closed out his sophomore campaign as the 28th best RB in all of fantasy. It wasn’t until Week 13, however, that he started to pick up steam. Averaging nearly 5.0 YPC over the last five weeks of the season, Crowell scored three TDs and cracked the top-30 fantasy players at the position three separate times. That’s not bad for a guy who was available in over 70 percent of Yahoo leagues.

With Hue Jackson bringing his creative brand of coaching to Cleveland, Crowell should continue to flourish. Jackson is a coach beloved by his players and Crowell is a talent that needs a little extra love. Under the direction of Jackson, the Bengals backfield has finished among the top 20 fantasy producers every year since 2013. I don’t foresee Crowell bucking that trend, and fully expect him to close out 2016 among the top 15-18 fantasy backs.

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets
Flaunting his soft hands pass-catching ability, Powell carved out a sizeable role for himself in the Jets’ crowded backfield. A banger in his own right, the Florida native stunned from Weeks 13 through 16. Over those four games, Powell found the end zone three separate times and was the fourth best RB in standard scoring leagues (and the third best option at the position in PPR formats).

Though he was second in rushing attempts to Chris Ivory, Powell was the team’s third most targeted option in the passing game, drawing 60 looks and producing 388 receiving yards (and that was despite missing five games). With reports out of New York suggesting that Ivory is unlikely to return to the Jets, Powell may be able to secure a larger piece of the pie. Granted… he is a free agent, but his salary allows for more wiggle room. Of course, durability has been issue for the 27-year-old RB, but a second year in Chan Gailey’s offense makes him an intriguing fantasy value.

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings
There are worse things than learning behind one of this generation’s greatest athletes. Still, you have to wonder what McKinnon could do with a full workload. Actually, you don’t… because I’ve done the research.

Whenever the Georgia Southern product carried the rock more than 15 times he averaged at least 5.2 YPC and produced a minimum of 83 rushing yards. In the three times he’s had a shot to be the workhorse, McKinnon has finished among the top 25 fantasy players at the position (and that was with Matt Asiata vulturing the goal line).

Adrian Peterson is still elite, but he’s also 30-years-old. Towards the end of 2015 his body started to wear down, and he was forced to contend with a slew of nagging injuries. After exiting Week 15’s contest, McKinnon stepped up and did some real damage in the passing game, racking up 86 combined yards and a score on 11 total touches. The following week, the second-year RB broke off a 68-yard scoring run that placed him among the top-five fantasy producers for the week. As long as Peterson stays healthy, he’ll continue to be the centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense. But the 23-year-old’s undeniable athleticism, in tandem with volatility at the position, adds to McKinnon’s 2016 appeal. He’s a must-own prospect and could very well pick up in September where he left off in December.

Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arguably the most productive change-of-pace back in 2015, Sims averaged 4.9 YPC and 10.7 YPR. A top-20 fantasy talent, Sims continued to produce down the stretch and gifted Super Bowl owners with a 117 total yard and 1 TD effort in Week 16. With more receiving scores on the season than Mike Evans, Sims was one of this past year’s most rewarding fantasy finds.

Given Dirk Koetter’s recent promotion, Sims’ involvement in the offense should remain steady. If, as anticipated, Vincent Jackson leaves Tampa Bay, then Koetter’s role in the passing game should increase. Assuming Doug Martin re-ups with the team, Sims will continue to thrive in the complimentary role. More of a flex than a handcuff, Sims could flirt with top-25 numbers again in 2016. For PPR enthusiast he’s a must-own prospect whose stock is on the rise.

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
The Giants’ backfield was a disaster for much of 2015. Around Week 14, however, things started to click and Jennings emerged from the muck as the team’s lead RB. From Weeks 14 through 17, the vet averaged over 19 carries per game and produced over 100 combined yards in four consecutive outings. The third best RB in fantasy down the stretch, Jennings was still available in nearly 40 percent of leagues at the year’s end.

It makes sense that one of Ben McAdoo’s first action items will be to thin out the G-Men’s crowded stable of RBs. Andre Williams, who averaged just 2.9 YPC and was the seventy-sixth most productive fantasy player at the position, is bound be cut. In his stead, I’d expect the Giants to draft a rookie come April. While we’ve seen first-year RBs transition smoothly to the pros, my money is still on Jennings for the immediate future. In the seventh year of his career, Jennings posted his highest rushing yard total and snagged his first-ever receiving TD. With the kinks worked out and plenty left in the tank, Jennings could be an under-the-radar gem come September.

Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF