by A few weeks ago we were talking about the sad state of fantasy racers. Week 11 may be the last low point. Only two running backs rushed for more than 90 yards (Josh Jacobs, 109; Isiah Pacheco, 107). Only six running backs scored more than 20 fantasy points; three of them, Tony Pollard, Jamaal Williams and Samaje Perine, are the substitutes for his team.
Especially in PPR leagues, the running back is now an afterthought. Pollard, who was the top-scoring running back in Week 11 with 189 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns, had the same number of carries (15) as Ezekiel Elliott in the Cowboys’ win over Minnesota. Williams, the RB2 this week, gets the goal line carries for Detroit, but he had a total of 17 carries against the Giants mainly because D’Andre Swift isn’t 100% healthy yet (heck, third running back Justin Jackson had nine carries to lead the team with 66 yards in the game). Perine had three receiving touchdowns in Pittsburgh, two of which came after starter Joe Mixon left the game with an injury.
Maybe Week 11 was an aberration. Two of the most productive running backs this season, Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce, set for less than 10 fantasy points. Two other valuable running backs, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker, had rests.
The problem is twofold: First, too many teams rely on committee running backs. Only four running backs (Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor and Najee Harris) had 20 or more carries in Week 11. The Houston Texans’ horrible run defense has been a fantasy manager’s best friend this season, but Washington divided the charge against them. giving Antonio Gibson 18 carries and Brian Robinson 15.
Second, too many teams have quarterbacks who like to run. Two weeks after six quarterbacks led their team in rushing, five did so in Week 11:
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles: 16-86-1
- Justin Fields, Bears: 18-85-1
- Daniel Jones, Giants: 7-50-1
- Bryce Perkins, Rams: 5-39
- Zach Wilson, Jets: 3-26
Of those five, Hurts and Fields are consistently their team’s best rushing option. When Matthew Stafford is healthy, he probably won’t lead the Rams in rushing, but the running backs on his team are irrelevant to fantasy.
Lamar Jackson wasn’t the Ravens’ leading rusher in Sunday’s win over Carolina, but he’s more dangerous than Kenyan Drake or Gus Edwards.
The bottom line is that there aren’t many forced starts anymore as a running back. He could also convey position in the same way we do with kickers or linebackers. If nothing else, it’s hard to imagine using a running back as a flex on any wide receiver.
If you’re still looking at RB options, it’s more important at this stage to consider the player’s involvement in the passing game rather than their running ability. Only four players have at least 175 rushing attempts (Barkley and Henry are the only two with 200+ carries). Seven running backs have at least 40 receptions on the season:
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers – 69
- Christian McCaffrey – 47
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers – 43
- Alvin Kamara, Saints – 43
- Joe Mixon, Bengals – 41
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots – 41
- Aaron Jones, Packers – 40
In PPR leagues, pass-catching running backs obviously add value. Otherwise, the options at the post are slimmer than ever.
More Fantasy and NFL Coverage:
• Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
• Collection of waiver wire transfers before week 12
• Odell Beckham Jr. will visit the Cowboys and Giants
• Justin Fields could be a top 5 quarterback
• Matthew Stafford in Concussion Protocol
• MMQB: Week 11 Game Balls
