When it comes to fantasy football, there are many enigmatic scenarios that can play multiple different ways. One of the hardest things to figure out is who will come away with the most carries in a crowded running back room. Some folks may want to stay away from drafting anyone on these teams to avoid the hassle and decide to go for a player with a more defined role. Others are willing to roll the dice on a specific player knowing they will come away with more opportunities to put up numbers. If you are described more like the former than the latter, this advice is sure to help you steer clear of the messiest running back rooms with three or more viable candidates for decent usage. Here are my Top 5 messiest situations:
1. Bears
The team with the worst record in the NFL last season completely revamped their RB room over the offseason. After losing David Montgomery in free agency, they brought in D’Onta Foreman to compete with Khalil Herbert for playing time. They also added to a complicated matter when they drafted Roschon Johnson in the 4th round. Both Foreman and Herbert have shown potential in their brief time in the NFL but have been unable to hold on to starting roles. Johnson comes in looking to come out from Bijan Robinson’s shadow and make an immediate impact. It is unclear who the favorite to land the Week 1 starting job is currently.
2. Dolphins
The Fins topped my list last year and for good reason: there’s still no one who has pushed away with the starting job. Raheem Mostert did a pretty good job last year when the job was his. Jeff Wilson also looked capable in the games in which Mostert was unavailable. These two seem to flip-flop every year dating back to their time in San Francisco. To add to the conundrum, the Dolphins drafted Devon Achane in the 3rd round of the draft. Achane adds even more lightning to an already electric running back room and there’s no telling if or when he could supplant the veteran duo.
3. Saints
Alvin Kamara has been a fantasy stud every year he’s been in the NFL since 2017. His legal situation regarding an event around the time of the Pro Bowl last year has clouded the running back situation. Veteran Mark Ingram decided to retire recently which made the need for more rushing talent a bit more vital. The Saints brought in Jamaal Williams in free agency and drafted Kendre Miller in the 3rd round of the draft to address their need in case Kamara was handed any punishment by the NFL. Williams handled a decent workload in Detroit last season but a talented rookie like Miller has the chance to make noise while Kamara is potentially sidelined.
4. Raiders
The Raiders make this list because their star RB Josh Jacobs has refused to sign the franchise tag placed on him and plans to hold out of training camp. He remains the only tagged running back to not sign leaving the Raiders in a tough spot without the reigning rushing champ in 2022. Lower on the depth chart sits 2nd year back Zamir White who may be expected to take a larger role if Jacobs continues to sit. Even further down the depth chart are the likes of Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden. The starting running back position has big holes to fill without Jacobs and it’s hard to see any of these guys have what it takes to do it by themselves.
5. Seahawks
After the 2023 Draft, the Seahawks looked really comfortable about their RB situation. They drafted Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round to pair with Kenneth Walker in what looks to be a promising young RB tandem for the next couple of years. They also drafted Kenny McIntosh in the 7th round to add to their depth going into training camp. As it stands now, Walker and Charbonnet are both dealing with injuries in camp. This presents McIntosh and veteran DeeJay Dallas with an opportunity to get reps with the 1st team offense that wouldn’t normally happen. We don’t know how severe the injuries to Walker and Charbonnet are but it throws a big wrench in Seattle’s plans to start the year healthy after years of injured running backs (i.e. Penny, Carson, etc.)
HM: Commanders, Broncos, Jets, Chiefs
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