Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Report: The 49ers Committee

We had a couple of surprises just before kickoff in Week 1 with 49ers RB Trey Sermon and Bills RB Zack Moss being last minute healthy scratches. While many of our preseason backfield utilization questions were answered in Week 1, we’re still looking for some clarity with regards to some teams’ RB strategy as we head into Week 2 of the fantasy football season. We’re also hoping to find this season’s super sleeper before anyone else does. Is it going to be Ty’Son Williams? Maybe it’ll be Elijah Mitchell. There’s also a chance that our true RB sleeper has yet to reveal himself. Here’s some more observations from Week 1.

49ers

The 49ers were dealt a big blow with Raheem Mostert needing season ending knee surgery, but they have several options heading into Week 2 and beyond. After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Trey Sermon will be active for Week 2. Elijah Mitchell, who was at the top of most waiver wire wish lists this week, (104 rushing yards and a TD in Week 1) deserves to be the Week 2 starter but Shanahan has always been the type of coach who creates a game plan depending on the strengths and weaknesses of his next opponent. JaMychal Hasty is the only other active RB on the 49ers roster as this article is being written. With the future in mind, the 49ers added former Lions' RB, Kerryon Johnson to their practice squad. Shanahan favorite Jeff Wilson, (knee) is expected to remain out for the next six to eight weeks. As for Week 2, look for Mitchell to get most of the early down work with Sermon and Hasty stealing some carries as well. Both Hasty and Mitchell are good pass catching backs who can be utilized in passing down situations. Despite all that, don’t be too surprised if Shanahan goes with whichever back emerges as the hot hand in Week 2.

Falcons

As expected, Mike Davis led the Falcons’ rushing attack with 15 carries in Week 1. Cordarrelle Patterson will have a regular role in the Falcons offense, but he probably saw more action in the Falcons’ run game in Week 1 than he’ll likely see moving forward. The newly acquired Wayne Gallman most likely needed more time to learn the Falcons’ playbook and was a healthy inactive in Week 1. If he’s active in Week 2 he’ll probably cut into Patterson’s workload. Patterson will still have some fantasy value in PPR leagues 

Jaguars

The Jaguars are going to be a bad football team this season. They’ll often be playing from behind and will have to abandon their running game more frequently than they’d like to, but rookie QB Trevor Lawrence shouldn’t have to throw the ball 51 times like he did in Week 1. While it would have been great to watch the dynamic Travis Etienne Jr. strut his stuff on the football field this season, second year back James Robinson is no slouch. He may not be head coach Urban Meyer’s guy, but he did total 1414 yards from scrimmage last season, the most by an undrafted rookie. Robinson only carried the ball five times in Week 1, compared to nine carries for Carlos Hyde. However, fantasy football managers rostering Robinson have reason to be optimistic. He played 47, or 64% of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps compared to Hyde playing 25 or 34% of the Jags’ offensive snaps. Both RBs were involved in the Jags’ passing game. Robinson caught three passes, and Hyde caught two. If Meyers is truly focused on running a balanced offense this season his team needs to run the ball more and also needs to find a way to get the ball in Robinson’s hands more in Week 2.

Ravens

Ty’Son Williams looked like the best RB on the field for the Ravens in Week 1. He was an explosive runner and Williams was also active in the Ravens’ passing game. He should be the starter in Week 2. Latavius Murray, who scored a TD in Week 1, will likely continue to be Williams’ primary backup. With the Ravens release of Trenton Cannon, look for Le’Veon Bell or Devonta Freeman to be promoted from the practice squad as Week 2 game time approaches. Freeman is probably closer to being in game shape than Bell. All three of the Ravens’ veteran backs best days are behind them, but they’ve probably got enough gas left in their tanks to be able to bang out an occasional big play that will help provide Williams with a breather now and then.