Welcome to the fifth edition of the running back previews! This week we are going to take a look at our rookie class, and what their stock looks like based on their landing spot. A player can be the most talented back in the world, but if he isn’t in line to get the touches than his talent doesn’t really matter. Without further adieu, let’s dive in!
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs – 1st round – There couldn’t have been a better landing spot for CEH than the Chiefs. He is a shifty back who will fit into the Chiefs quick-strike offense. He finished second in the nation in receptions with 55, which is vital to this Chiefs pass-first offense that completed 79 passes to running backs last season. I’ve seen people bring up Damien Williams being a problem for CEH, but you don’t invest your first-round pick into a running back unless your plan is to use him heavily.
2020 Fantasy Value: High
Dynasty stock: Way up
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions – 2nd round – The Lions have somewhat given up on Kerryon Johnson based on this second round selection of Swift. It isn’t the greatest of landing spots for Swift though. Johnson will still be involved, and the Lions have long been a pass-first team. The last time Detroit had a running back rush for over 700 yards was way back in 2014. Swift should be the starter immediately, but I wouldn’t go too crazy with expectations.
2020 Fantasy Value: Mild
Dynasty stock: Unchanged
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts – 2nd round – I don’t really understand why the Colts would go running back this early but, for whatever reason, they clearly aren’t committed to Marlon Mack. Mack has rushed for 1,999 yards over the last two seasons while averaging a rock solid 4.52 yards per carry. They haven’t really used Mack in the passing game, but Taylor also wasn’t used much as a pass-catcher in college. Based on what I’ve seen on Twitter, the fantasy community loves Taylor and has high hopes for him this year, but I am not too sure. This feels like it could be a two-headed attack to me, lowering the value of both players. However, Mack is in the final year of his contract and this is a great landing spot for Taylor’s dynasty value.
2020 Fantasy Value: Mild
Dynasty stock: Up
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams – 2nd round – Akers lucked out with this landing spot. His biggest competition is Darrell Henderson, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to me if Akers is the starting running back right away. He played behind a sub-par offensive line in college and still performed. He also did a solid job in pass blocking, which should allow him to play a heavy role for the Rams as a rookie.
2020 Fantasy Value: Good
Dynasty stock: Up
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens – 2nd round – I hate this landing spot for Dobbins. Yes, the Ravens are a run-first team, but a lot of the runs come from this year’s MVP, Lamar Jackson. On top of that, Mark Ingram is still the starting running back, and he has another year on his contract after this year. Dobbins should compete for touches with Ingram, but it’s also important to keep Gus Edwards and Justice Hill in mind. Edwards averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year, which was second best in the NFL behind Raheem Mostert, so I doubt he is completely removed from the offense. Hill probably won’t be much of a factor, but he may garner a touch or two here or there. I don’t see Dobbins getting anywhere near enough touches this season to be fantasy relevant.
2020 Fantasy Value: Low
Dynasty stock: Down
A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers – 2nd round – This was probably the third biggest head-scratcher of the draft, behind Jalen Hurts to the Eagles and Jordan Love (also) to the Packers. Dillon probably slides in third on the depth chart behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, with his best case scenario being in a time-share with Williams for the few touches behind Jones. I wouldn’t consider drafting him in fantasy this season. With that being said, Jones is in the final year of his contract and Dillon could be a fantasy factor as early as 2021.
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Unchanged
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3rd round – Vaughn has been the talk of the town after landing with the Bucs and for good reason. He immediately slides into what will likely be a timeshare with Ronald Jones. Jones hasn’t been at all impressive and he has really struggled in pass protection, which could open the door to a big role for Vaughn this season. Vaughn was strong as a pass-protector at Vandy, and he likely already has the third down job locked up.
2020 Fantasy Value: Good
Dynasty stock: Up
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills – 3rd round – He will likely be in a 65-35 type of split with Devin Singletary this season, with Moss being on the 35 side of that. That may not sound great, but the Bills are a run-first team and he should still garner plenty of touches. Moss and Singletary have similar skill sets, which means neither is likely to be locked into any concrete role. That also means we could see the Bills utilize the hot hand approach occasionally this season. His dynasty value does drop a bit though, as this is a timeshare that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
2020 Fantasy Value: Mild
Dynasty stock: Down
Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans – 3rd round – He will be the handcuff to Derrick Henry this season, and probably won’t see too many touches. His only chance for fantasy relevance this season will be an injury to Henry. As for his dynasty value, Henry is on a one-year contract, so it will depend on what the Titans decide to do with Henry after this season.
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Unchanged
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers – 4th round – He slides into the number three role in the Chargers backfield and isn’t likely to see a whole lot of action this year. Austin Ekeler signed a four-year contract and is likely to be the Chargers starting back for many years to come. Justin Jackson will handle second-string duties and since he is a RFA after this season, it is pretty likely that he also returns in 2021. There isn’t too many reasons to be optimistic about Kelley anytime soon.
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Down
La’Mical Perine, New York Jets – 4th round – I love this landing spot for Perine. He should be the backup to Bell right away, and he is one injury away from a high-volume role. Bell will get the majority of the touches though, which does hurt Perine’s value for this season, but the Jets have shown that they are not all that committed to Bell and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is his last season in a Jets uniform. Perine is a grinder who doesn’t have any weaknesses. So why was he a fourth round pick, you ask? Well, while he doesn’t have any weakness, he also doesn’t have any area that he greatly excels in. With that being said, I think this is an underrated back that could be a three-down back for many years to come.
2020 Fantasy Value: Low
Dynasty stock: Up
Anthony McFarland, Pittsburgh Steelers – 4th round – With James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, and Benny Snell already on the Steelers roster and ahead of McFarland, it’s pretty difficult for me to envision him having any role this season. As for his Dynasty value, the backs in front of him are young and I really don’t see any scenario where McFarland is fantasy relevant anytime soon (if ever).
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Down
Deejay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks – 4th round – His best-case scenario is the number three role behind Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, but it’s very possible that he will also find himself behind Travis Homer. Similar to McFarland, I don’t really see Dallas having any fantasy relevance anytime soon (if ever).
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Down
Jason Huntley, Detroit Lions – 5th round – His best-case scenario is squeaking onto the roster and having a role on special teams. Swift and Kerryon Johnson will get all of the touches and Huntley is probably behind Scarbrough on the depth chart as well. His ability as a pass-catcher and returner should easily land him a spot on the roster though, but it will take a few injuries for him to have fantasy relevance anytime soon.
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Down
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals – 7th round – I was very surprised to see Benjamin go in the seventh round. He had a third-round projection, so it was probably surprising to a lot of people. This was a pretty strong landing spot for Benjamin though, as his style of play fits the Cardinals style of offense very well. With that being said, he will be in the number three role behind both Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds, so it is pretty unlikely that he has any fantasy relevance this season. The fact that Drake only signed a one-year contract could work in Benjamin’s favor though and his dynasty value is actually higher than some of the backs drafted ahead of him.
2020 Fantasy Value: Low
Dynasty stock: Unchanged
Raymond Calais, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 7th round – He isn’t going to make a fantasy impact this season. He has both Ronald Jones and Ke’Shawn Vaughn ahead of him as well as Dare Ogunbowale. The best thing that Calais has going for him is that he has experience as a gunner on special teams, which should help him land a spot on the roster. It will take a few injuries for him to get touches and I would consider his dynasty value pretty low.
2020 Fantasy Value: Non-existent
Dynasty stock: Down