Jordan Love (QB, Green Bay Packers): Love is expected to have a strong start against an Eagles defense that struggled against quarterbacks last season. He has shown potential, especially in the latter part of the previous season, and is set to build on that with his new starting role FanSided
Start ‘Em: Players like Jayden Daniels (QB), Najee Harris (RB), Diontae Johnson (WR), and Dallas Goedert (TE) are highly recommended to start. The Seattle Seahawks’ defense is also a strong start, especially given their matchups against the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, which are considered weak offensive teams this seasonPressBox
As we gear up for Week 1 of the NFL season, many fantasy football managers are eagerly awaiting answers to some pressing questions about how teams will distribute their carries. While preseason predictions are never perfect, Week 1 should provide some clarity on which players will dominate the backfields of several teams. Here’s a closer look at a few key teams to watch this week to get a better sense of their running back rotations.
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 1: Examining Fringe Fantasy Football Flex Starters #nflfantasy https://t.co/eJdW25Xph8
— Jessie Jones (@jessiejones187) September 4, 2024
Last season, the Rams’ backfield was a hot topic in fantasy football after Kyren Williams unexpectedly took over as the starting running back from Cam Akers in Week 1. This year, fantasy managers are hoping Williams will maintain his role without another shake-up. However, recent news suggests Williams might also be used as a punt returner, which could limit his workload as a running back.
Meanwhile, Blake Corum, a third-round draft pick out of Michigan with a stellar college career, is also in the mix. If Corum sees significant touches early on, it could spell trouble for managers who drafted Williams in the second round. Nonetheless, Williams has been very effective, averaging five yards per carry last year and ranking third in PFF’s rushing grade. While Corum’s presence might reduce Williams’ workload slightly, it’s unlikely to severely impact his fantasy value unless Corum becomes a major factor.
Aaron Jones (RB, Minnesota Vikings): Now playing for the Vikings, Jones faces a Giants defense that allowed a significant number of fantasy points to running backs last season. He is positioned well to capitalize on his new role, particularly with the presence of star receiver Justin Jefferson drawing defensive attention away FanSided
The Dolphins’ backfield is currently one of the most unpredictable in the league, making De’Von Achane a polarizing figure in fantasy football. After an incredibly efficient rookie season, Achane is expected by many to take over the starting role. However, Raheem Mostert is still listed as the starter and was the RB2 overall in fantasy last year.
Additionally, rookie Jaylen Wright could emerge as a valuable backup given both Achane’s and Mostert’s injury histories. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has indicated that he plans to involve all three running backs throughout the season, potentially rotating them based on who has the hot hand. For this reason, keeping an eye on how carries are distributed in their Week 1 matchup against the Jaguars could provide valuable insight into the Dolphins’ backfield dynamics.
- Baker Mayfield (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Mayfield is seen as a sleeper pick for Week 1 due to his matchup against the Commanders, a team that struggled defensively against quarterbacks last yearFantasyPros
- Adonai Mitchell (WR, Indianapolis Colts): Mitchell is a recommended stash due to his versatile usage in the Colts’ offense. While not immediately startable, his potential to see meaningful snaps makes him a valuable pickupFantasyPros
There has been little information from the Bengals regarding how they will allocate carries between Zack Moss and Chase Brown. Moss, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason, had a productive year with the Colts, outplaying even Jonathan Taylor at times. Brown is expected to take on a larger role after a quiet rookie season.
Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete 2024 PPR Player Rankings Entering Week 1https://t.co/sA8QMzuyzP #FantasyFootball
— Gary Davenport (@IDPSharks) September 4, 2024
It seems likely that the Bengals will split carries relatively evenly between Moss and Brown, with Moss handling early downs and Brown serving as a pass-catching option in two-minute drills. This could limit the fantasy value of both players, but there remains a significant upside in a high-powered offense. If either Moss or Brown clearly outperforms the other early in the season, they could become a valuable fantasy asset, similar to Joe Mixon’s role in previous years.
Fantasy managers are closely watching the Lions’ backfield to see if Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will continue to share touches as they did last season. Gibbs finished as the RB10 and Montgomery as the RB13, showing that they could coexist effectively. However, with Gibbs climbing up draft boards and often being picked in the early rounds, there’s a lot of anticipation for him to have a breakout year.
Gibbs only received more than 15 carries in two games last season, both instances occurring when Montgomery was injured. Moreover, Montgomery was favored in red-zone situations, with significantly more carries inside the 20-yard line. Observing how the Lions rotate Gibbs and Montgomery and who gets the goal-line work in Week 1 will be crucial for assessing their fantasy value moving forward.
For the first time in recent memory, the Cowboys do not have a highly drafted running back, with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle being selected outside the first 10 rounds of most fantasy drafts. The Cowboys have a strong tradition of having at least one running back exceed 1,000 rushing yards in nearly every season over the past decade, so it’s unusual not to see a clear favorite this year.
The Cowboys could potentially alternate series between Elliott and Dowdle, similar to how the Lions rotated Montgomery and Gibbs last year. Elliott might be more suited for short-yardage and goal-line situations due to his running style, although his performance has declined in recent years. Reports suggest Dowdle may be used as the team’s RB1, making him a player to watch in Week 1.
Key Points:
i. Los Angeles Rams: Watch how carries are split between Kyren Williams and Blake Corum to assess Williams’ workload.
ii. Miami Dolphins: Monitor the backfield rotation among De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Wright, especially due to potential injuries and the “hot hand” strategy.
iii. Cincinnati Bengals: Pay attention to the distribution of carries between Zack Moss and Chase Brown; either could emerge as a valuable fantasy asset.
iv. Detroit Lions: Keep an eye on how Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery share the workload and who gets more red-zone opportunities.
v. Dallas Cowboys: Observe the potential timeshare between Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and see who takes on the primary role in red-zone situations.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
