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Arizona Cardinals
Drake led the Cardinals backfield with 16 carries while playing 71-percent of the total offensive snaps. He saw one carry inside the 10-yard line and was able to convert that for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Drake is a capable pass catcher and saw two targets but it was backup Chase Edmonds that led the group with five targets, converting three of them for catches which included a 10-yard touchdown reception. Drake is still the clear lead back here but those who drafted Edmonds as a handcuff or as part of their “Zero RB” draft strategy are likely happy with the usage here as well.
Atlanta Falcons
My biggest takeaway when it came to the Falcons signing Todd Gurley in the offseason was that the Falcons were looking to improve upon one of the league's worst red zone offenses as the Falcons ranked 25th in red zone scoring in 2019. Gurley was among the league's most efficient red zone runners and that was on display in Week 1 as he converted one of his three red zone carries for a touchdown. Fantasy owners should love to see the red zone work here as not only did Gurley see three carries inside the 10-yard line but he also was targeted three times as well. There is little threat from the likes of Ito Smith or Brian Hill and though they both saw their share of snaps, this is Gurley’s backfield.
Baltimore Ravens
Uh oh….I only imagine this is what ran through the mind of Mark Ingram owners as they saw rookie JK Dobbins play more snaps and find the end zone for two rushing touchdowns on carries from inside the five-yard line. Now, this game was pretty out of hand early on so maybe Baltimore wanted to get the rookie some work but this backfield may be a bit more split than we could have initially expected heading into Week 1.
Buffalo Bills
Zack Moss was all the rage during training camp and it was somewhat unclear exactly how the duo of Moss and Devin Singletary were going to be used as part of the Bills offense. Though Week 1 was never really in doubt for Buffalo, I do think we have some answers. First, both backs proved more than capable of catching passes with Singletary actually leading the duo with five catches on seven targets while Moss caught three passes on four targets. Both backs saw nine carries each while Singletary saw 59-percent of the snaps while Moss saw 45-percent. The big difference here and ultimately the one that is going to matter to fantasy owners is the red zone work. Moss saw four of his nine carries and two of his four targets inside the 10-yard line. Moss cashed in on one of those targets for a four-yard touchdown reception. It’s also worth noting that touchdown vulture Josh Allen scored the team’s first touchdown on a two-yard run. Allen’s red zone prowess is going to cap the overall touchdown upside of this running back group.
Carolina Panthers
Nothing to see here. CMC saw 97-percent of the offensive snaps. Everyone concerned that maybe the new coach and offensive coordinator would potentially lessen the workload for CMC can rest easy now knowing that is not the case. McCaffrey totaled 23 carries while adding three catches on four targets in Week 1.
Chicago Bears
A few things likely worked against David Montgomery in the season opener. The first being that he likely was not 100-percent after dealing with a groin injury for most of camp and the second being the fact that Chicago trailed for most of this game. That said, I still expect to see Tarik Cohen earn a solid snap share in this offense but maybe a healthier Montgomery would lead to more carries.
Cincinnati Bengals
Not too shocking here. Mixon is going to be the lead back in this offense barring injury. One thing fantasy owners certainly wish is that he would be more involved in the teams passing attack yet he saw just one target while Bernard finished with four catches on five targets.
Cleveland Browns
So, the question here is whether or not Hunt out touched Chubb due to game script or is it because Hunt is going to be more involved in the offense than maybe we originally assumed? The big concern for some regarding Chubb heading into this year was the impact Hunt had in the second half of last season when he returned from his suspension and how Chubb’s fantasy value dipped upon his arrival. The Browns were never in this one against the Ravens but to see Hunt with a near 50/50 split of the offensive snaps while earning three more carries and four more targets has to have the Chubb owner at least somewhat concerned.
Dallas Cowboys
Another workhorse back leading his team here. Elliott saw 88-percent of the offensive snaps and finished with 22 carries and four targets in the passing game. Backup Tony Pollard carried the ball just twice while catching two passes on three targets.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos backfield started off with an even split but with Phillip Lindsay going down with a case of turf toe we saw Melvin Gordon take over as the lead back. Gordon saw 63-percent of the offensive snaps and was involved as expected in the team’s passing attack. Now, we should see Gordon used more in the passing game as the weeks move forward in my opinion but Royce Freeman also saw a target and got a red zone carry so that may bear watching as a possible handcuff while Lindsay is out of action.
Detroit Lions
If you drafted Kerryon Johnson you can probably let him go as rookie D’Andre Swift led the running back group with a 44-percent offensive snap share and caught three passes on five targets. Of course, we will remember this game mostly for the dropped pass in the end zone by Swift which would have sealed the game for the Lions. Newly signed Adrian Peterson led the team with 14 carries while totaling 114 yards of total offense.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones saw 54-percent of the snaps while leading the team in all the categories that matter such as carries (16), targets (6) and red zone carries (3). Jones also was targeted twice in the red zone. Jamaal Williams was the spell back for Jones as he saw seven carries and caught all four pass attempts that went his way. It will be interesting to see how AJ Dillon factors into this group as the Packers second round pick only saw five snaps.
Houston Texans
What a Texans debut for David Johnson as he played 81-percent of the team’s offensive snaps while carrying the ball 11 times and being targeted four times. Duke Johnson left this game with a hamstring injury after seeing just 14 snaps. David Johnson is going to be the bellcow back for the Texans this season and I expect him to be featured a bit more in the team's passing attack as the season moves along.
Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack ’s season ending injury is going to change the snap share come Week 2 but in Week 1 it was Nyheim Hines who led the team with 53-percent of the offensive snaps while he totaled seven carries and caught all eight of his targets. Hines found the endzone twice in this one, once on the ground and once through the air. Rookie Jonathan Taylor led the team with nine carries but also added six catches on six targets of his own. If there is one thing we know about Philip Rivers it is that he loves throwing to his running backs and that is great for these two if you roster them in PPR leagues.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags running back situation was in flux for most of training camp following the release of Leonard Fournette and the subsequent IR placements of Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo. James Robinson emerged as the team’s leading back and that was very much the case in Week 1 as he saw 68-percent of the offensive snaps and led the team with 16 carries. Maybe the most interesting development here was that Chris Thompson was only targeted two times in this game while playing just 24-percent of the offensive snaps seeing as many expected him to be much more involved in the game plan.
Kansas City Chiefs
What a debut by the rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire as he played 67-percent of the team’s offensive snaps while rushing the ball 25 times and seeing a whopping seven carries from inside the 10-yard line. Now, CEH was not able to cash in on any of those seven touches and that is something that is definitely worth watching in the coming weeks as Darrell Williams seemed capable at times of getting those short-yards. Williams played the third down back role but only saw seven carries and two targets over his 23 snaps.
Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler led the team with a 68-percent snap share but fantasy owners were left distressed as he saw just one target and rookie running back Joshua Kelley saw three carries from inside the 10-yard line and was able to find the end zone. Coach Anthony Lynn told reporters that the team’s new offensive scheme with TyRod Taylor under center would move away from the checkdowns to the running backs which is brutal news but he then also stated the team plans to feature Ekeler a bit more moving forward. Going to be a wait and see approach here with Ekeler but for those of you who listened to me back in May, hopefully Joshua Kelley is paying off some early dividends. Also worth noting that Justin Jackson was injured in this one.
Los Angeles Rams
If you are a Cam Akers owner then Week 1 was not a pleasant sight as Malcolm Brown dominated the snap share at 60-percent and took over the game as well, rushing for 79 yards and two scores while adding three catches on four targets while Akers totaled just 38 yards on his 14 touches and saw just one target. Coach Sean McVey stated they still have big plans for Akers and at least he isn’t Darrell Henderson who saw just five total offensive snaps in this one.
Las Vegas Raiders
Coming into the season all the talk in Raiders camp was how Josh Jacobs was going to be in for a monster year and that is looking like its going to be the real deal following Week 1 as he saw 78-percent of the offensive snaps, carried the ball 25 times, added six targets and rushed for three touchdowns. Sure, the Panthers defense is atrocious but if you took Jacobs you are sitting pretty right now.
Miami Dolphins
This offseason the Dolphins signed Jordan Howard and traded for Matt Breida so it only makes sense that Myles Gaskin led the team with a 63-percent snap share, nine carries and four targets. Now, Jordan Howard did suffer a hamstring injury in this one so it could explain why he saw just nine total offensive snaps. On the plus side, of those nine snaps he got three red zone carries and was able to score on one of them. If you own Matt Breida , hang on to him for another week and see exactly what ends up happening here because if Howard is out then the odds of his involvement will increase.
Minnesota Vikings
They paid the man his money and in Week 1 he saw 58-percent of the offensive snaps while finishing with 12 carries for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Of course I’m speaking about Dalvin Cook here. The Vikings were getting smoked for most of this game so I’m not too worried about the total touches here but at least he saved his fantasy owners by finding the end zone twice. Alexander Mattison did have a role here as a change of pace back, finishing with six carries and four catches of four targets.
New England Patriots
So while the chart above tells the story of the Patriots running backs it does not tell the story of the Patriots rushing attack and that’s because Cam Newton led the team with 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. This is likely going to be the life for those who own anyone in the Patriots backfield. I expect Newton to steal those red zone carries and it only makes sense. Of the actual running backs, Sony Michel led the group with 10 carries and he was also able to score a touchdown. When Damien Harris returns in Week 4 I will be interested to see how this backfield shakes out
New Orleans Saints
I don't think this split should be shocking to anyone. Latavius Murray does have a role in this offense and it’s one of the reasons why Alvin Kamara has not been a 1,000 yard back as the Saints like to pair him with a tough between the tackles runner like Murray or Mark Ingram before him. For Kamara owners however it’s great to see the five catches on seven targets and it’s hard not to like the three carries inside the 10 as well. With Michael Thomas now sidelined for a few weeks we could see the snap count for both increase with the Saints opting for more snaps with Kamara as a receiver in some sets.
New York Giants
It was not a pretty night to be a Giants running back as the Steelers defense barely gave an inch. Barkley totaled just six yards on his 15 carries and was stuffed on his lone carry inside the 10-yard line. Fortunately he was heavily used in the passing attack with six catches on nine targets. His 87-percent offensive snap share is well in line with what owners should expect this season which leaves little to no fantasy value for the other backs.
New York Jets
Well it didn’t take long for Frank Gore to jump back into the conversation as a starting running back in the NFL as Le’Veon Bell suffered an injury and has been placed on recoverable IR. Bell saw 57% of the offensive snaps before his injury but had just six carries as the Jets were playing from behind most of this game. Josh Adam’s saw two targets here and could figure into the conversation as a pass catching option. Adam Gase has already come out to say that Gore will be the starter heading into Week 2.
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Conner got hurt early in this one, playing just 15 snaps but in those 15 snaps he saw six carries and four targets so there was a lot of usage going his way. One he was out of the ball game it was the Benny Snell show as he earned a 45-percent snap share while totaling 19 carries for 113 yards. Jaylen Samuels saw 31-percent of the snaps but got no carries and surprisingly just one target. James Conner is questionable to play in Week 2 so we may see a tick up in production for both backs, including Samuels here in the team’s passing attack.
Seattle Seahawks
If you are a Chris Carson owner you probably don’t love the fact that he saw just six carries in this one while Carlos Hyde got seven including a red zone carry. The snap share was also fairly even with 45-percent of the offensive snaps going to Carson while 34-percent went to Hyde. What you have to love as a Carson owner though was his six catches on six targets which lead to two receiving touchdowns. Can you trust that type of efficiency can continue? That remains to be seen but remember, Pete Carroll did talk up Hyde’s ability to be more than just a backup in this offense.
San Francisco 49ers
Mostert saw 60-percent of the snap share as the 49ers lead back in Week 1 but this number could potentially drop given that Tevin Coleman was limited due to the air quality in Santa Clara on Sunday. Coleman saw just 11 snaps while Jerrick McKinnon saw 28 and earned a 31-percent share of the offensive snaps. If you are a Mostert owner you have to love seeing not just the 15 carries but how about the four catches on five targets. One of those catches he took to the house for a 76-yard touchdown. Mostert should continue to be the lead guy here with Coleman and McKinnon fighting over the remaining snaps.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians said all along that Ronald Jones was their guy and in Week 1 he saw a 47-percent share of the offensive snaps and led the team with 17 carries and two catches on three targets. LeSean McCoy was the team’s third down back and saw 36-percent of the offensive snaps but got zero carries and just one target. Recently signed Leonard Fournette was the odd man out as he saw just nine total snaps but did earn five carries in those nine snaps. This is really the situation to watch as Fournette should see an increased workload as he gets more reps at practice with the team.
Tennessee Titans
This is the Derrick Henry show. He played 75-percent of the snaps and was the only running back to touch the football with 31 carries and three catches on three targets. The targets are a huge development for fantasy owners. IF the Titans begin to feature Henry in the team’s passing attack, even if it’s just three times a week then his fantasy upside is going to increase. Last year Henry had just 18 catches on 24 targets. If the plan this season is to feature him a bit more in the passing attack then new career highs are certainly in order.
The Washington Football Team
What to do here? Rookie Antonio Gibson who fantasy owners gushed about saw just 18 total snaps in this one, finishing with nine carries and two catches on two targets. Peyton Barber saw 41-percent of the offensive snaps and led the team with 17 carries, including seven from inside the 10-yard line which resulted in two rushing touchdowns. J.D. McKissic led the team with 44-percent of the offensive snaps while seeing three carries and finishing with five targets though only being able to catch one of them. So, what to make of this situation here? First, Peyton Barber continues to be a trash yards-per-carry running back. In this one again he averaged just 1.7 yards-per-carry after finishing last year with 3.1 yards-per-carry for the season. Bryce Love was inactive for this game but I have to think eventually Barber’s inefficiency will cost him his role. Antonio Gibson is raw, they told us he was raw so I don’t think it was overly surprising to see him limited in snaps. I did figure he would factor more in the passing attack but McKissic held that role. Week 2 will be a telling one here for Washington