Running backs remain king in fantasy football. While it seems like there are more elite quarterbacks and wide receivers than ever before, the number of consistent, reliable running backs is dwindling. This makes it all the more important to find value in running backs in fantasy football. To help you with that, each week I’ll take a look at a few backfields that stand out based on recent trends or new information we’ve learned.
Injuries are starting to pile up around the NFL. With six weeks of football in the rearview mirror, it feels like more and more starters are going down every week, especially at the ever-fickle running back position. This means backups and handcuffs are all the more important as starters can simply sit on the waiver wire. This week, let’s take a look at some of my best insights into the backfield, with a focus on guys in bigger roles post-injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Rachaad White missing Week 6 due to a foot injury, Bucky Irving was quite effective as the Bucs starting running back. He turned in 14 carries for 81 yards and ran in a touchdown while adding two catches for 24 yards through the air. While Irving was impressive, he was actually overshadowed by sophomore Sean Tucker.
Tucker also saw 14 carries, but produced an impressive 136 yards and scored as well. Tucker’s stats are supplemented by lousy time — he had six carries for 64 yards and a score on the Bucs’ final drive while they were up by 17 — but his efficiency is remarkable nonetheless.
It’s unclear how long Rachaad White will be out, but I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he’s the team’s third-best running back. The Bucs are a high-flying offense with over 30 points in four of their six games and will certainly be able to support several fantasy-relevant running backs. I still feel very comfortable starting Irving in fantasy even if White returns, and I expect White and Tucker to eat up each other’s workload when they’re both on the court. Tucker is worth adding this week, but I wouldn’t start him unless White misses more time.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers placed free agent signee Gus Edwards on IR last week, leaving JK Dobbins and Kimani Vidal as the primary backs. Dobbins dominated the volume share on Sunday, receiving a season-high 25 carries, which he converted into 96 yards and a score. With Edwards out of the picture for at least four weeks, Dobbins can be treated as a safe weekly running back in the top 15. Dobbins was already beating Edwards before the injury, and given the Chargers’ propensity to run the ball, it should I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Dobbins continues to see a game being played north of 20.
Vidal, whom the Chargers took in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, was a darling of the fantasy community this offseason. He played in his first game of the season on Sunday and made an immediate impact, running in a stunning 38-yard score on his first career touch:
Vidal played 19 total snaps to Dobbins’ 57, and I would expect the Chargers to work him into the offense a bit more now that Edwards is out. Dobbins doesn’t exactly have the cleanest bill of health, so Vidal has ended up in the highest level of handcuffs. I’d pick him up in deeper leagues and keep an eye on his usage over the next few games.
Tennessee titans
Entering the season, the Titans were expected to have a standard timeshare between Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in their backfield. Six weeks later, it appears that Pollard has taken the reins from Spears and is the flawless top. Pollard has at least 16 carries in five of six games this season, quietly putting up consistent fantasy production — he’s currently the overall RB19. The Titans’ offense as a whole hasn’t been too valuable in terms of overall upside, but Pollard has made the most of its volume. Now almost two years removed from a broken leg, Pollard looks much more like his old self and ranks in the top 10 in yards after contact per attempt and missed tackles.
Spears left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week, but he wasn’t particularly productive before that anyway. He has scored just one touchdown all year and has been less effective than expected in the passing game. Spears has only 12 receptions this season, which is actually four fewer than Pollard. I’d easily drop Spears in most formats, as I don’t see him becoming fantasy relevant in a well-below-average offense. He’s much closer to an insurance policy than a viable flex play, even when healthy.
New York Giants
Devin Singletary missed the last two weeks with a groin injury, but the Giants haven’t missed a beat. Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has fleshed out Singletary admirably, with back-to-back productive fantasy performances. Tracy’s versatility was on display. In Week 5, he sliced ​​the Seahawks’ weak defense for 129 yards on 18 carries. In Week 6, he was less efficient on the ground, aside from a one-yard score, but he totaled six receptions for 57 yards. He played 84% of the snaps on Sunday night and looked like a great safety valve for Daniel Jones as a former wide receiver in college.
Singletary will likely return soon, but Tracy has proven he deserves a major role in this offense. I would expect the Giants to work on passing a lot more in Tracy once Singletary returns, giving him a solid fantasy floor. The Giants’ offense probably isn’t good enough to keep two fantasy-relevant running backs on top of Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson, but Tracy should still absolutely be picked up in your league if he’s not already on the roster. For now, I’d keep Tracy on your bench if Singletary also plays, but I’ll keep a close eye on the Giants’ backfield split between the two.
San Francisco 49ers
49ers starter Jordan Mason suffered an AC joint sprain during their Week 6 TNF night win over the Seahawks. Mason missed most of the game with the injury, and it is uncertain if he will be ready for the 49ers’ Week 7 game against the Chiefs. If Mason is still injured, rookie Isaac Guerendo would be the next man up. Guerendo was the 49ers’ best running back after Mason went down and put an exclamation point on their win with a 76-yard run (that probably would have been a touchdown if not for an intentional slide to run out the clock) late in the fourth. quarter. Guerendo should be a high priority this week if he is still available on waivers.
While Mason could still play, the 49ers would be wise to give him time to rest given how easily several running backs can thrive in the friendly Shanahan running scheme. If Guerendo can continue the trend, he would immediately be a top 15 running back option, so I’d be willing to take the risk and pay for Guerendo on waivers this week, especially if you’re in dire need of a win or a spot- starter you need.
