Super Kamara: Alvin Kamara has turned into a dominant running back

Super Kamara – Kenny Stevens @KennyGuruFF

Alvin Kamara lit the football world on fire in 2017 as a rookie. He’s finished as the RB3 and RB4 each year since then. So why does it still feel like he doesn’t get the respect he deserves? Most RBs need a lot of volume to be efficient. Look at Zeke, Gurley, Gordon and Hunt who all ranked in the top-five in rushing attempts since 2017. Where does Alvin Kamara rank? 24th.

What Kamara has done over the last two seasons becomes even more impressive when you realize he had 200 hundred less rushing attempts than Elliott. We’ve already begun to see the wear and tear this type of burden has put on guys like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley. Alvin Kamara hasn’t faced the same problem yet but granted he’s only 23. Kamara averages 5.1 YPC and 9.5 YPR. His value definitely comes from the passing game with 162 catches his first two seasons. That pace isn’t just impressive, it is historic. Since 1970 only three RB’s have put up 150-plus receptions in their first two seasons. Christian McCaffrey and Reggie Bush. Larry Fitzgerald is included because of a RB/WR designation in 2004.

Alvin Kamara is also consistent. You would expect a guy with so few touches compared to the big dogs to disappear at times. Alvin Kamara has the second most 30-plus point games in PPR format the last two seasons behind Gurley out of all RBs and WRs. In the same time Kamara has the fourth most 20-plus point games in PPR format. These stats are for Week 1 through 16 because if you play fantasy championships Week 17 – you need a new commissioner. Don’t forget, Kamara didn’t break out until Week 4 of his rookie year. Below are charts of the leaders in 30-plus point games and 20-plus point games since 2017 in PPR.

Last season Drew Brees and Michael Thomas fell off a bit the last five weeks of the season, and that may be an understatement. From weeks 12-16, Brees had zero QB1 games and finished outside the top 24 twice. Michael Thomas, after such a great start to the season had one top 12 performance and two games outside the top 50 and another as the WR33. Enter Alvin Kamara, who continued to plug along through the fantasy playoffs putting up finishes of WR26, WR26, WR18, WR10, and WR2. Clearly better than Thomas despite Brees taking a dip at the end of the season, he still most likely helped win fantasy owners their leagues.

Given the consistency and lack of mileage, Kamara deserves to be in the conversation as the 1.02 for dynasty leagues. The 1.01 has to be Saquon. In one year he’s entered top-10 for most 20-plus point games with eleven. That pace would have him on par or ahead of Todd Gurley. Kamara is still special given the lack of rushing attempts. He could easily see up to a 15-year career. In dynasty with his level of production and a much lesser wear on his body, there’s a strong case to make for him. Now with Mark Ingram gone, and Latavius Murray an average at best pass catcher, Kamara should see an uptick in 2019. Super Kamara should stick around for a long time.