Each year there are gray areas of running backs. Not every backfield has a Derrick Henry they can lean on in good times and bad. Finding the gem in contested backfields is a league winning fantasy football strategy, so let’s find the best player to own in these contested backfields.
Sifting Through Contested Backfields – Fantasy Football Impact 2024
Tennessee Titans – Tony Pollard & Tyjae Spears
The Tyjae Spears hype may have gotten a little out of control before free agency. Then a wet blanket in the form of Tony Pollard fell on the wild fire, and now the backfield is a mess to find fantasy football value in. Going tit for tat in 2023, Spears was better on a per touch basis but Pollard accumulated more stats in every major category. This backfield could likely end up like the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, but with an even more even split as Pollard takes the majority of the work but Spears continues to be the more efficient back.
The two backs are currently separated by two rounds of ADP, but both are outside the top 75 picks. At cost, targeting the younger player who has been more efficient makes more sense for zero RB builds. With Pollard’s injury history, fit on the new team and tread on the tires Spears could overtake him by October.
Actionable Advice: Wait two rounds and take Spears.
Carolina Panthers – Jonathon Brooks & Chuba Hubbard
This one shouldn’t be considered contested, but there’s a hive of Chuba truthers still hiding out there. Brooks was taken in the high second round of the 2024 NFL draft, and has the skillset to own the backfield. He may start slow, but his draft capital and talent will win out season long. For more on what Brooks brings to Carolina, check out the film study below. This is a slam dunk to just take Brooks and not look back.
Actionable Advice: Take Brooks and don’t think twice.
Washington Commanders – Brian Robinson & Austin Ekeler
Ekeler’s ADP is higher because people remember what he used to be. Not what he is currently. Austin Ekeler signed a pretty small two year contract to come to Washington, and it’s extremely unlikely he volumes his way to a viable fantasy season. His best skillset is his pass catching ability, and Jayden Daniels isn’t going to be checking it down often. When those two things combine with an old, inefficient runner it’s a match made in an Arby’s. Who goes to Arby’s? Robinson is a grinder with goal line ability, so at least his touchdown spikes can move him into low end RB2 territory.
Actionable Advice: Pass on Ekeler for Robinson 24 picks later, or avoid the entire backfield.
Los Angeles Chargers – Gus Edwards & The Field
A Harbaugh offense with a run heavy system and a trusty old-pickup-truck type back. What’s more likely? That Gus Edwards continues to be the reliable back he has shown to be throughout his career? Or that J.K. Dobbins becomes the first back to come back from an Achilles tear to set the NFL on fire? The Chargers are just the Ravens of the West right now, and Greg Roman knows he can trust Edwards. Kimani Vidal might be fun for PPR leagues with some checkdowns and explosive plays, but Edwards is the easy target here.
Actionable Advice: Take Gus Edwards and plug him in as a volume/TD upside RB2.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Tennessean
