Working backs stay king in fantasy soccer. Whereas it appears like there are extra elite quarterbacks and extensive receivers than ever earlier than, the quantity of constant, reliable operating backs is dwindling. This makes it all of the extra vital to search out worth at operating again in fantasy soccer. With the intention to aid you try this, I might be having a look at just a few backfields every week that stick out based mostly on current developments or new info we discovered.
We had our first set of bye weeks in Week 5 — an indication that the NFL season is flying by. Bye weeks are at all times an attention-grabbing variable in fantasy; you by no means need to base your draft technique off bye weeks, however you may nonetheless end up beginning some seemingly random gamers over the subsequent month or two. This has heavy implications on the operating again place particularly, because the RB2s on sure groups could be the perfect spot starters throughout a very impactful bye week. With that in thoughts, let’s get into a few of my high group takeaways and developments to observe heading into Week 6.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ought to this be Tank Bigsby’s backfield? The dynamic second-year again has now out-produced starter Travis Etienne in all three video games he has performed a minimum of 15% of snaps, and it isn’t significantly shut. Bigsby has 42 extra speeding yards on 19 fewer carries than Etienne, which truly sells him a bit brief — Bigsby has been the one most effective operating again in soccer this season.
Bigsby already entered Week 5 rating first amongst operating backs yards per try, yards after contact try, and breakaway run proportion, after which ripped off two electrical scores within the Jaguars’ first win of the season from 65 and 19 yards out to remain on the high of these stats. Bigsby out-snapped Etienne for the primary time, taking part in 40% of snaps to Etienne’s 39%. Bigsby additionally noticed carries from the 4 and seven-yard line whereas Etienne was not used on the purpose line in any respect. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson insisted after the sport that Bigsby wouldn’t substitute Etienne on the Jaguars depth chart, however actions communicate rather a lot louder than phrases.
The one space the place Etienne is healthier than him is within the passing recreation, however Bigsby’s home-run hitting potential nonetheless makes him a FLEX-level fantasy starter at worst. Proceed with excessive warning with Etienne shifting ahead, who I might think about a game-script-dependent FLEX play.
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson has been a fairly large disappointment in fantasy to date. He has but to interrupt 100 speeding yards in a recreation and at present ranks because the overall RB21. Many people anticipated Robinson to see an uptick in quantity to propel him to a top-10 fantasy end, however Robinson’s utilization has truly been pretty much like his rookie season.
Robinson averaged 12.3 carries and 5.1 targets per recreation final yr. By 5 video games this season, he’s averaging 13.4 carries and three.8 targets. Robinson has been significantly unproductive within the landing division, with only one whole rating. Tyler Allgeier has continued to be rotated into the backfield on a constant foundation, usually taking part in one in each three offensive snaps. Allgeier has a better yard-per-carry mark than Robinson however has did not get into the top zone.
I’m a bit of bit involved about Robinson’s fantasy worth for the remainder of the season. Usually, operating backs must have a minimum of one of many following three qualities to achieve success in fantasy: bell-cow stage quantity, excessive landing manufacturing or vital passing recreation work. Because it stands proper now, Robinson has not one of the above, which places a rock-solid cap on his ceiling. He’s proficient sufficient to provide as an RB2, however I might taper your expectations for Robinson and wouldn’t thoughts buying and selling him for a extra productive however maybe much less standard participant. As for Allgeier, I don’t assume he’s startable based mostly on his smaller position, however he ought to nonetheless be rostered.
Washington Commanders
We final checked in with the Commanders after Week 2, which was earlier than we knew that Jayden Daniels was the true deal. Daniels’ efficiency the previous few weeks would have been spectacular for any quarterback and is unparalleled for a rookie. The Commanders are far and away the highest offense within the league by way of EPA per play, and Daniels ranks first amongst quarterbacks in completion proportion over expectation.
Given their general offensive ceiling, beginning operating again Brian Robinson Jr. could be handled as a top-15 operating again whereas Austin Ekeler can also be startable in PPR codecs. B-Rob hasn’t been probably the most environment friendly together with his carries, however he’s used closely in short-yardage and has 4 touchdowns within the final three video games. Pair that with double-digit carries per recreation, and Robinson is a particularly protected play on this elite offense.
Ekeler, in the meantime, was productive on Sunday after lacking Week 4 because of harm. He has not seen greater than eight carries in any recreation to date however has been way more environment friendly together with his alternatives than Robinson. Ekeler continues to make an impression via the air, averaging 38 receiving yards a recreation. Daniels has been a rising tide for the entire gamers within the Commanders’ offense, which may make Robinson and Ekeler a few of the greatest draft steals of the season.
Las Vegas Raiders
It seems to be like Alexander Mattison is on his technique to changing Zamir White because the beginning operating again in Las Vegas. White missed Week 5 with a groin harm, and Mattison subsequently acquired a season-high 15 carries. Though he was fairly ineffective with that quantity, speeding for simply 38 yards, Mattison has nonetheless been extra productive than White this yr. White did not cross 50 yards speeding in any recreation earlier than his harm regardless of averaging about 12 carries a recreation, having additionally misplaced two fumbles. Mattison has additionally been the Raiders’ major choice on the purpose line, with two speeding touchdowns this yr throughout the two-yard line.
It’s unclear how lengthy White will stay out together with his harm, however I count on him to have a subdued position even upon his return. Because of this Mattison is a superb FLEX starter and bye week alternative, whereas White ought to most likely keep in your bench and is a possible lower candidate. I don’t have an entire lot of hope for Mattison’s upside as a result of the Raiders offense as an entire is a large number, however he ought to see sufficient quantity to get you thru a tough week.
Fast Hitters
-
Chicago Bears: D’Andre Swift has turned his season across the final two weeks with back-to-back high 5 finishes, however I wished to acknowledge Roschon Johnson’s ascension to the RB2 spot. Johnson has supplanted Khalil Herbert as the primary again behind Swift, and punched in a one-yard landing after Swift failed to take action on Sunday. Johnson could be picked up in leagues this week in the identical normal tier as Tyler Allgeier or Zach Charbonnet.
-
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones left the Vikings’ Week 5 win with a hip harm. It’s unclear how severe the harm is, and I’d count on Jones to be wholesome because the Vikings are heading into their bye week. Nonetheless, Ty Chandler acquired 14 carries as Jones’ alternative and is value rostering if he isn’t already in case Jones misses prolonged time.
-
Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane left the Dolphins recreation within the first quarter with a concussion. The Dolphins even have a bye week in Week 6, so I count on Achane to be cleared to play after that, however Raheem Mostert could be a top-24 play if Achane’s harm is extra severe. Jaylen Wright can also be value a decide up in deeper leagues, as Mostert has already missed a while because of harm to begin the yr.
The post Fantasy Football RB Report: Is Bigsby Tank-ing over the Jags’ backfield? first appeared on AI Earth.