RADIO
What is more frustrating than a running back by committee team? Oh, that's right, it's nothing. But with the growing availability of databases full of statistics, there are more resources than ever to determine which RB is the best option to acquire before the true value is made clear to your leaguemates.
One of the best new resources is the sortable Next Gen Stats at NFL.com. Among the more interesting stats available is the RB Efficiency stat which calculates to total number of yards run per yard gained. Using this stat, we can potentially find runners that will make the most of their carries by running north-south.
Today, we'll take a look at some of the more frustrating committee situations around the league with the potential for fantasy relevance down the stretch. With their efficiency and usage trends, we can try to identify the backs you want to own in these crowded backfields for the remainder of the 2017 season.
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Baltimore Ravens
After the Danny Woodhead injury, Javorius Allen was the hot pickup on waiver wires, but over the last four games, it's been Alex Collins getting a large percentage of the workload. Collins currently ranks as the 45th RB in PPR formats.
| Player | Rushing Efficiency | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | TDs | PPR Pts |
| Alex Collins | 3.65 | 80 | 478 | 0 | 51 |
| Javorius Allen | 3.82 | 99 | 356 | 1 | 94 |
As shown by the Rushing Efficiency stats, Collins is rushing slightly more direct on his carries than Allen. Along with his increased workload over the past four weeks, Collins appears to be the more reliable rushing option for fantasy purposes in Baltimore.
Unlike Allen, Collins hasn't been a significant part of the Baltimore passing game. Allen has out-targeted Collins 38 to 4 and while normally this would indicate a valuable asset in PPR formats, Danny Woodhead has returned to practice and is eligible for return in week 11. Woodhead received 3 targets in his one game and is a real threat to Allen's value.
In short, if you're looking for an acquirable RB who's value is unlikely to decrease, target Collins in trades now while he's still valued as a middling flex option.
Indianapolis Colts
It's sort of weird to think that the 34-year-old, Frank Gore is the "more efficient" runner in the Indianapolis backfield, but from a directional running standpoint, he's being more efficient in his method for accumulating yards.
| Player | Rushing Efficiency | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | TDs | PPR Pts |
| Frank Gore | 3.73 | 110 | 404 | 2 | 76 |
| Marlon Mack | 4.58 | 43 | 183 | 2 | 56 |
For those doing the simple division, Mack has a higher yards per carry with 4.26 YPC to Gore's 3.67. But what the rushing efficiency stat highlights is the extra work he's doing to get those yards. Per yard gained, Mack runs for nearly a full yard more than Gore which equates to 22.7 percent more.
Mack hasn't fully taken over a major role in the offense on a consistent basis, but has received more than 10 carries, two times in his six appearances.
Both the two backs are among the top 40 RBs in PPR scoring with Gore inside the top 24. Barring injury neither is a particularly exciting weekly start, but Gore's five double digit scoring weeks make him the more reliable option.
New Orleans Saints
In this particular RB committee, there's a clear usage definition that provides stand alone value for both players within a committee role.
| Player | Rushing Efficiency | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | TDs | PPR Pts |
| Mark Ingram | 3.92 | 107 | 464 | 4 | 116 |
| Alvin Kamara | 3.2 | 42 | 243 | 2 | 99 |
Despite being used as primarily a change of pace back, Kamara has been the more North-South runner in the back field rushing nearly 20 percent more efficiently than Ingram.
What differentiates this committee is the evenly distributed workload in the passing game.
| Player | Rush Attempts Per Game | Rush Yards | Targets Per Game | Receptions Per Game | Receiving Yards |
| Mark Ingram | 15.2 | 464 | 5 | 4.3 | 190 |
| Alvin Kamara | 6 | 243 | 5.6 | 4.4 | 257 |
So unlike the first two teams, both of these backs are valuable assets in PPR scoring leagues. At RB16 in PPR leagues, Kamara is likely the less expensive to acquire via trade and has an incredibly high ceiling if he were to take over the full workload in New Orleans. If he can be obtained at the price of a high-end flex, he's worth trading getting for the potential during the fantasy playoffs.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers backfield could turn into a valuable commodity if Brett Hundley's first start was a true indication of the Packer offensive gameplan moving forward. After passing for only 88 yards, it seems evident that the RBs will have additional value.
| Player | Rushing Efficiency | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | TDs | PPR Pts |
| Ty Montgomery | 4.71 | 60 | 186 | 2 | 71 |
| Aaron Jones | 3.45 | 62 | 346 | 3 | 59 |
Despite Montgomery being available, Aaron Jones led the offense in carries in Week 7. Whether that's due to residual effects from Montgomery's injury affecting his workload or a passing of the torch isn't fully clear yet. But one thing is clear from their individual rushing efficiencies--Jones is the more efficient runner by both traditional yards per carry and rushing efficiency.
Jones is RB15 in PPR leagues on a points per game basis, averaging 14.8 PPR points per game, compared to Montgomery's 11.8. Montgomery's preseason value and 2016 results were heavily tied to his usage in the passing offense and the loss of Rodgers could ruin the remainder of his 2017. As of right now, Jones appears to be the back to own in this committee.
While there's some excitement surrounding Jones, he's still likely attainable in most leagues because of questions surrounding his opportunity and lack of known name value. Anything less than a mid-RB2 valuation is likely to be a win for those adding Jones.
