Buckle up backfield chasers, we’re in for one of the bumpiest rides in recent memory. We’ve got holdouts, late camp trades, offensive line trades, the whole shebang. Tune in here each week and I’ll give you some highlights of the previous week’s workloads. It’s going to be a busy start to the season. Here are a few situations I’ll be monitoring closely.
Splitting The Load
Todd Gurley : the most burning question in fantasy sports. What workload can TG3 handle and how much work does he see?
Kerryon Johnson : Detroit continues to look for ways to take their most talented back off the field.
James Conner : the Steeler running back is fantasy gold due to workload. If that gets split up JC isn't nearly as valuable.
Rookie Watch
Josh Jacobs : will the most touted rookie get the backfield to himself and hold up under that load?
David Montgomery : what’s his role in the passing game? He has the ability to catch the ball. If they leave him in for targets his fourth-round ADP is a slam dunk.
Devin Singletary : after clearing LeSean McCoy ’s carcass out, there are only three backs vying for touches in Buffalo. Frank Gore can be projected in the same role he occupied with Miami last year and T.J. Yeldon has evolved into a third-down back. That leaves Singletary without much room to work and a likely boom or bust option week to week.
Major Timeshares
Denver: Phillip Lindsay is perhaps more talented but is coming back from a major wrist injury. Royce Freeman also seems to be a more desirable style back to the new coaching staff.
Los Angeles (Chargers): The obvious question is whether Melvin Gordon will return from his holdout this season. My guess is he takes the Le'Veon Bell path and hits free agency in the offseason. In his stead, Austin Ekeler is a talented back with pass-catching chops. He tends to wear down, however. It would make sense for the team to split the load with Justin Jackson .
Washington: one of the league’s ugliest three-headed monsters.
Anyone's Guess
Tampa Bay: this one really feels like the answer is going to come out of left field. Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones are very average. Dare Ogunbowale is garnering some buzz as the pass-catcher but he’s a 25-year-old with zero career carries/catches.
Miami: we’ve spent the preseason debating Kenyan Drake vs Kalen Ballage when maybe we should have been debating Myles Gaskin vs Mark Walton . One of those two is likely a better true runner than either of the brand names.
Houston: Duke Johnson is a great back when he isn’t fighting off lower-body injuries. Bringing Carlos Hyde in to help with the mundane work was probably smart. Do you really want the backfield that failed in Cleveland to start last season, though?
Potential Total Packages
Nick Chubb : there's talk he may see more targets. Much of that could depend on how well Dontrell Hilliard shows on third downs. Chubb is a beast that could become a top-five back.
Aaron Jones : one of the bigger questions in Green Bay is whether there will be a significant RB rotation. Jamaal Williams and his pass blocking stole snaps over the past two seasons. Jones is clearly more talented and the staff knows it, though.
Chris Carson : another spot where coaches have talked up potential targets. That's much easier to emphasize in July. Mike Davis ' departure does open up work. Carson’s ADP came on strong to end draft season.