• Some of Sean McVay's go-to backs: Todd Gurley II, Cam Akers, Kylen Williams And some others saw McVay in an every-down role. Los Angeles Rams Attack, and at some point this season, Blake Coram It may be added to the list.
• Brian Robinson Jr. or Austin Ekeler Might be a good deal: Kliff Kingsbury is another play-caller who has used multiple lead running backs in his coaching career. Washington Commanders.
• Get an early start on fantasy football: Use PFF's fantasy football mock draft simulator to create an actual live mock draft simulation and get ready for your live draft.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Yesterday, we took an in-depth look at the running back role and how it impacts fantasy production. Using that information, we put together three teams that are worth targeting for their backups because the offensive playcaller typically gives them the lead role when a starter is injured. We also listed three teams to avoid because the offensive playcaller rarely gives the running back the lead role.
the goal: Washington Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury is the Commanders' new offensive coordinator. He Arizona Cardinals From 2019 to 2022Throughout his four years, he always had a primary back who played everything except third down, but that back was frequently replaced by injuries. David Johnson To Kenyan Drake after that James Connor He joined the team in 2021. He had injuries during his first three years, but Chase Edmonds Instead of being taken over by committee, the starting back will be taken over. Eno Benjamin With Connor out with an injury, Corey Clement played a key role in the game.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler The top two seem set in stone, and while it's unclear how playing time will be divided between the two, it's possible someone will win the starting spot and play a big role, and if one of them gets injured, the other should be the go-to back.
the goal: Los Angeles Rams
Over the past three seasons, the Rams have used a lead back or a back who handles everything but third down in 31 games, good for sixth among teams. The five teams that finished higher than the Rams made the top five because they had a specific back who played the lead role for the majority of that span.
For the past five years, Todd Gurley II has Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michelle, Kylen Williams and Lois Freeman All played at least one game as mainstays, depending on who was healthy and who Sean McVay liked best at the time.
Williams played very well last year and everyone expects him to be the starting back to start the season, but the Rams have the 83rd pick. Blake CoramCorum likely won't have any fantasy value unless Williams gets injured or plays poorly, in which case Corum will likely take on the best role out of all the running backs.
Zach Robinson is the new offensive coordinator Atlanta Falconsand the same five seasons with the Rams. Bijan RobinsonThe increasing role of Tyler AllgeierA possibility if Robinson gets injured.
the goal: Philadelphia Eagles
Kellen Moore is the Eagles' new offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. Dallas Cowboys' Offensive coordinator, where Ezekiel Elliott His main role was back, and last year Los Angeles Chargers, Austin Ekeler It was his back.
Whether that's due to Moore's philosophy or the fact that he used a highly-regarded running back is unclear. Tony Pollard He played in games for Dallas in 2020 and 2022 when Elliott was absent. Joshua Kelly He played in three games last year when Ekeler was sidelined.
This is fantastic Saquon Barkley, He was going to be a valuable addition to the running back rankings regardless of the offensive coordinator. Kenneth Gainwell or Will Shipley They'll likely win the backup job, but it'll be worth seeing how the two are used in the preseason.
avoid: Cleveland Browns
Kevin Stefanski is Minnesota Vikings' Offensive Coordinator 1 year Dalvin Cook He was the workhorse back, but he's been running the committee in Cleveland ever since. Nick Chubb Though he has served as the Browns' lead back during that time, Chubb has never been a primary back by this definition, seeing action on anything other than third down in a maximum of three games per season and rarely as the primary back in a two-minute drill.
Chubb should return this year, but likely won't be at 100 percent. Ford and Strong are back with the team, but Donta Foreman and Nyheim Hines Added in the offseason, this backfield will likely remain a committee throughout the season.
Alex Van Pelt New England Patriots' The new offensive coordinator was the Browns' offensive coordinator for the past four seasons. Ramondre Stevenson if Antonio Gibson I share my time with him.
avoid: Los Angeles Chargers
Greg Roman has been named the Chargers' new offensive coordinator after serving as the Chargers' offensive coordinator from 2019-2022. Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator. Former Ravens players are on board in Los Angeles. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins Sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal.
During that time, the Ravens averaged four games a season in which someone played anything other than third-down, and Baltimore often used three or four running backs, none of whom played more than 530 snaps.
Even with the Chargers' running back injured, Kenyan Drake, With his experience in Roman's offensive line, he could be signed to keep the three-man committee in place, rather than one of the running backs being the main man.
avoid: Chicago Bears
The Bears' new offensive coordinator is Shane Waldron, another coach who has used running backs in their ideal role an average of just four games per season.
Throughout Waldron's tenure, the Seahawks Chris Carson To Rashaad Penny To Kenneth Walker IIIBut whoever the starter is, the third-down back is Travis Homer, Deejay Dallas and Zach Charbonnet Take the snaps that matter.
The Bears D'Andre Swift He joined free agent Roxxon Johnson as a starter. Khalil Herbert As the primary backup, this is mostly bad news for Swift, as at least one or both of Herbert and Johnson will still see significant snaps.
Coincidentally, Homer, who played 181 times in 2021 and 165 times in 2022 under Waldron in Seattle, is still under contract and will join the Bears in 2023, one year earlier than Waldron. Despite the talent in the top three, it's not out of the question that Homer could take on the same role he did in Seattle. We could see a three-back committee if someone gets injured.
