Time to Panic?

Calm down, Jack! It's only Week 4!

We're three weeks down in the 2015 NFL season. While some people's early picks have performed admirably, there have been many others that have played like a pile of breadsticks. Let's take a look at some of these early-round RB disappointments and see if it is actually time to panic.

Marshawn Lynch (ESPN ADP of 7.1)

There is no doubt people have not been getting the value they expected out of Lynch. He has been averaging barely over 6 points a contest in standard formats thus far. He's a little banged up right now. Marshawn feels your pain, guys. However, anyone truly doubting that he will bounce back to form in your league is a fool. Last season, he also had stretches early on in the year where he was not putting up first-round numbers. However, he turned it on when it mattered most with big performances in games that aligned with most leagues' fantasy playoffs. Once his hamstring no longer becomes an issue, there is no doubt he will enter to elite status.

Panic level: 2/10

C.J. Anderson (ESPN ADP of 12.4)

Last year's waiver wire wonder has severely underwhelmed owners thus far in 2015. He has averaged an abysmal 2.3 YPC and to make matters worse, he has been battling a couple of injuries. Some people may worry that Ronnie Hillman or even Juwan Thompson may take the lead back role from Anderson, but they haven't performed too well either. The real problem with Anderson lies within his offensive line. A Peyton Manning-led team has uncharacteristically been relying on its defense thus far, and to expect Anderson to put up numbers similar to his 2014 second-half ones would be foolish. However, Gary Kubiak has come out supporting Anderson as the lead back and any lead guy in a Peyton Manning offense is worth keeping on your team. Basically, Anderson is player you have no choice in rostering mainly because his value is at rock bottom at the moment.

Panic level: 6/10

DeMarco Murray (ESPN ADP of 12.2)

Last year's rushing champ has started 2015 in an absolute nightmarish fashion. He has rushed for just 11 yards in two full games, and his team's running game looked significantly better with him on the sidelines in Week 3. However, anyone who actually watched the two games he played in will tell you that nobody else would've done much better behind his offensive line. Perhaps Philly's Week 3 success is more of a testament to improved play on the line more than the improvement in the backfield, but Sproles and Mathews have undeniable talent. It wouldn't surprise me if they saw increased touches, but there is little chance Murray doesn't get the bulk of the carries after being paid handsomely in the offseason. 

Panic level: 7/10

Jeremy Hill (ESPN ADP of 19.8)

Hill was tremendous in his rookie campaign last year, but it appears as if he is already in the Marvin Lewis doghouse in 2015. Nobody is surprised that Gio Bernard has been handling most passing/3rd-down snaps, but the fact that he has been a significantly better runner too is a cause for concern. Hill's 3.0 YPC and two fumbles have been the reasons why he has received less carries than Bernard in the last two games. Bernard has been taking his opportunity and rolling with by averaging 5.7 YPC and an average of 4 grabs a game. Right now it appears that he is the lead back, but Hill should still see the goal-line/red zone opportunities. 

Panic level: 5/10