Melvin Gordon , RB LAC - It’s hard to tell how much of the Chargers RB rotation was planned versus required by a trailing game script. Gordon out rushed Austin Ekeler 12-3 but Ekeler played 14 more snaps and caught a ton of check-downs. My instinct is that the snaps start to favor Gordon slightly in a neutral situation but Ekeler gets work in line with 12-15 total touches.
Phillip Lindsay , RB DEN - The snap and touch distribution remain split with Royce Freeman but it’s clear Lindsay is the more efficient back by a wide margin. Lindsay’s floor is hard to trust in that timeshare but the coaching staff is realizing he’s the better back, if slowly.
Chase Edmonds , RB ARI - With David Johnson ’s back locking up Edmonds filled in well with a 8-68-1 line. He’d be a priority add should any news drop on Johnson but could also start seeing more work in an effort to preserve DJ. There’s some deep league appeal in a high paced offense.
Aaron Jones , RB GB - Would you look at that? Jones got a game to himself and went HAM for 4 TDS with 183 total yards on 26 touches. How does ever Packer coach continue to botch this? Maybe some NFL coaches really aren’t smarter than you or me. We don’t know Williams status but we can assume he’ll be involved when healthy again.
Marlon Mack , RB IND - Mack is turning into a legit RB this season. He’s smashed the easy matchups and provided some floor in the weeks he didn’t. Last week was a 32 touch smash against the Chiefs soft front seven. The Colts get a bye week 6 to heal up.
Tevin Coleman , RB SF - The returning Coleman and Matt Breida skewered a bad Browns front on Monday night. The snap share was an even three-way split with Raheem Mostert staying involved, however. This backfield will remain matchup dependent.
LeSean McCoy , RB KC - The Kansas City backfield turned into the disaster we feared with Damien Williams return. He got the touches but was held to only 38 total yards. The game was a slugfest and better days should be ahead. I just can’t help you with when those will be given the three back rotation that’s evolved.
Todd Gurley , RB LAR - Another week with the Rams in a shootout saw Gurley playing 67/70 snaps. Opposing defenses have keyed on the Rams zone rushing scheme and dared them to win with Jared Goff . It’s been a struggle. The TDs have masked much of that for Gurley but those are never a foregone conclusion. We’ll see if Sean McVay can get creative or if this team is in real trouble.
Josh Jacobs , RB OAK - Each week Jacobs seems to feel a little better off of an early hip issue. Each week his stat line has gotten healthier, too. He managed a pretty impressive feat last week racking up 26-123-2 against the Bears defense. Grain of salt for being in London and teams traveling and all. Still damn impressive. The Raider OL is playing much better in 2019 and they’ve committed to Jacobs.
David Montgomery , RB CHI - Monty got game scripted out of the London game. That’s a bad place for the Bears to be with Chase Daniel at the helm. They host the Saints this week so it’s another dicey decision to use the rookie.
Frank Gore , RB BUF - Gore become the second RB ever to start 200 games. The Bills like what they get from him enough until Devin Singletary comes back. Even then, getting Gore 12-15 carries will be a focal point. For now, it’s a hair more touches with more TD upside.
Leonard Fournette , RB JAX - Fournette remains the offense’s go-to with 23 carries and 4 catches for 137 total yards. The passing work has been encouraging and adding safety to a player running behind an inconsistent O-Line.
Ito Smith , RB ATL - If both of the Falcons RBs are healthy their desired split seems to be Devonta Freeman as the primary rusher and Ito as the passing compliment. Given the state of their poor defense that makes him an appealing PPR option.
Sony Michel , RB NE - Michel took advantage of Rex Burkhead being out and the matchup with Washington to turn in a 16-91-1 day. The Patriots schedule remains easy, meaning Sony has a ceiling but any Patriot RB has no floor.
James Conner , RB PIT - Conner handles 14 of the team’s 17 rushes. That’s a good percentage on a bad total. With the Steelers turning to their third-string QB that theme will continue. Even with Jaylen Samuels getting a knee scope.
Duke Johnson , RB HOU - Another higher efficiency, low volume week for the Duke. We can’t fix stupid coaching and BoB is one of the worst offenders. There’s a chance he pops in a track meet with KC this week. It’s a risk though.
Reggie Bonnafon , RB CAR - With CMC getting spelled with cramps Bonnafon was the primary replacement with 11 snaps and a surprising 5-80-1 on the back of a 59-yard scamper TD. He’s not the worst speculative add.
Mark Walton , RB MIA - The Dolphin backfield is still a dumpster fire but they’ve at least phased out Kalen Ballage . Mark Walton got his work with 6 carries and 2 catches for 34 total yards. Hard to tell how good that is given the team context. The next step for them would be to shift more work his way, move on from Kenyan Drake , and get rookie Myles Gaskin some looks.
Jon Hilliman, RB NYG - Wayne Gallman suffered an early concussion and will be inactive along with Saquon Barkley for TNF week 6. They’re likely to be chasing a lead against the Patriots and the only appeal here is some desperation PPR work.
Jordan Howard , RB PHI - Oh, Doug Pederson said he wants to get Howard more carries? Repeat after me. Three, way, rotation. Yes, Howard and Miles Sanders have squeezed Darren Sproles snaps way down. Sproles still gets looks and limits everyone’s total work.