Kenyan Drake Maturing, Work Ethic Improving

Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake has matured significantly over the offseason and is ready to work harder than ever. As reported by the Palm Beach Post, Drake "seems friendlier, but also more serious. He comes across confidently, but it’s the tone of someone who knows what they’re doing rather than the arrogance of someone […]

Saquon Barkley Has Tough Matchup For Week 1

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will make his NFL debut this Sunday but could be in line for a rude awakening. The first round pick has been battling a hamstring injury during the preseason but that is nothing compared to battling the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. The new-look Giants offense will be tested early […]

Tevin Coleman Relying On A Touchdown For A Big Opener

Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman will be relying on finding the end zone for a big day on Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season there was only one occasion where he managed to score double digit fantasy points without finding the end zone. The issue for Coleman is that the Eagles only allowed […]

Devonta Freeman Could Struggle To Find End Zone Thursday

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman could face a tough task to put up big numbers against the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener Thursday. Last season the Eagles were the second best defensive against running backs for fantasy points allowed, allowing an average of just 16.61. In addition, the Eagles allowed just 0.4 rushing […]

Jeremy Hill Feels "Blessed" To Make Final Patriots Roster

New England Patriots running back Jeremy Hill is excited to have made the final Patriots roster heading into the season. He told Zack Cox of NESN, "We're all blessed, and we're all privileged to be here. So we're definitely excited, the guys who did make the cut." Now that the former 1,000-yard rusher has made […]

Jay Ajayi Practices In Full Tuesday

Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi (foot) practiced in full on Tuesday after being limited on Monday. He sat out the last two weeks of the preseason with a foot injury, but the team was just playing it cautious and he is expected to have a full workload in the season […]

James White Rising Up Week 1 Rankings

New England Patriots running back James White should see plenty of targets Week 1 against the Texans. Running backs Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel are battling respective injuries and White may be the healthiest Patriot runner heading towards Sunday. Burkhead is expected to play at this time but White is certain to get some snaps. […]

Dolphins Name Both Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore Starters

The Miami Dolphins named either Kenyan Drake or Frank Gore as their starting running backs. Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald was specific in that either one of them could be the starter. It's hard to read the situation based on what the coaches and reporters are saying, but based on preseason usage and production […]

Sony Michel Needs To Be Stashed To Begin Season

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel is back on the practice field but may not see a ton of touches in Week 1 against the Texans. Former running back Reggie Bush told USA Today that Michel "could be rookie of the year" but has been battling a knee injury during the preseason. The Patriots […]

Alfred Morris a Risky Week 1 Play

San Francisco 49ers running back Alfred Morris took second-team repetitions during Monday's practice and appears to be a risky Week 1 play. Morris is still learning the playbook after signing with the team just three weeks ago, so temper expectations for his matchup against the Vikings on Sunday. His workload should increase in the coming […]

Lions Signing Donnel Pumphrey

The Detroit Lions are signing free-agent running back Donnel Pumphrey to their practice on Tuesday. The Lions already have five running backs on their active roster, including Ameer Abdullah and Nick Bellore. Pumphrey, who didn't play at all for the Eagles in his rookie season, is not on the fantasy radar.

Dolphins Sign Brandon Bolden

The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent running back Brandon Bolden on Tuesday and cut center Travis Swanson in a corresponding move. Bolden was cut by the Patriots over the weekend after just 13 carries for 67 yards in 2017. He's mostly a special teams ace and should not be considered by fantasy owners at this time.

Royce Freeman Named Starter Entering Week 1

Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph named rookie running back Royce Freeman as the starter heading into Week 1 against the Seahawks. “That being said, it’s going to be by packages also. Royce is our leading runner, but on third downs you’ll probably see [Devontae] Booker and obviously having a package for Phillip [Lindsay]’s going […]

Jay Ajayi At Practice Tuesday

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi is back at practice for the second straight day on Tuesday. Ajayi was dealing with an undisclosed lower body injury, but he appears to be fine for the season opener on Thursday against the Falcons. The Eagles may lean on Ajayi with quarterback Carson Wentz (knee) and wide receiver […]

Rex Burkhead Appears Ready for Week 1

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (knee) should be ready to go for Week 1. It appears the Patriots feel confident about his and fellow back Sony Michel’s health. The Patriots recently released running back Mike Gillislee. Along with Gillislee being gone, the Dolphins have just signed former Patriot Brandon Bolden. This has left […]

Darren Sproles Not a Great Week 1 Option

Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles is not a recommended fantasy option for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Sproles is back for one more season in the Philly backfield, but he'll be sharing third downs with Corey Clement and won't see much of the field if any on early downs. Sproles should still be […]

Corey Clement Unlikely to Make Much Noise in Week 1

Philadelphia Eagles running back Corey Clement isn't expected to make much noise in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Clement will be the main backup for starter Jay Ajayi and will also mix in on third down plays along with veteran Darren Sproles. Clement is a high-upside running back for the 2018 season and could […]

Jay Ajayi Could Struggle on Thursday Night

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi could struggle on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons. He's been missing some practices and limited in others due to a foot injury, but he is expected to play in Week 1. Still, he's a mid-range RB2 at best, so owners should temper their expectations. The Falcons defense should […]

Alex Collins With Solid Week 1 Matchup

Baltimore Ravens running back Alex Collins heads into Week 1 primed for a solid showing against the Bills at home. Buffalo's run defense ranks in the middle of the league, according to Pro Football Focus, despite the additions of nose tackle Star Lotulelei and rookie linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds is known to be more of […]

Matt Breida Handles First-Team Reps

San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida took the first-team reps at practice on Monday, according to 49ers columnist Grant Cohn. At this point in time, the second-year back is expected to start on Sunday against the Vikings, while Alfred Morris continues to familiarize himself with the playbook. However, Morris will likely handle plenty of […]

Maurkice Pouncey: Le'Veon Bell Will Return Wednesday

According to Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey, running back Le'Veon Bell will report to the team on Wednesday. Some warning bells sounded on Monday when the star runner did not report to the team for practice as they get set to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. A report from last week […]

Injury Spin - Five Running Backs to Avoid

The running back position is one of the most crucial to draft correctly in fantasy football, as it can make or break your roster early on. Inside Injuries predicts the impact of injuries on player performance by using data analytics, medical expertise and statistical modeling. You can read all about them and the great work they […]

Fantasy Football Pop Quiz - NFC North

In an effort to write these columns before the start of the season, I thought I'd get some help on this issue. So I asked my wife, who is a big Green Bay Packers fan, what her thoughts were on the 2018 fantasy football season. As a note, my wife is a highly regarded researcher […]

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) - Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target ~180 CURRENT ADP: ~210 ANALYSIS: After impressing as a rookie, Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon was handed a four-game suspension and missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. Although he looks to be buried in the team's depth chart behind Alex Collins and Javorius Allen, Dixon still has the upside to become the team's starting […]

Five Re-Draft Studs Who'll Be Dynasty Duds

As players get older, their value in re-draft leagues can remain high, but their value in dynasty formats starts to drop. It happens for everyone -- one day we'll be looking back on how Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins aren't worth drafting in dynasty -- and it's vital that dynasty owners know when the […]

Fantasy Spin - Jerick McKinnon's Injury and the Niners Backfield

Fantasy players who have already participated in their drafts received an unexpected spot of bad news over the Labor Day weekend when San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee while making a cut during a practice session. It was especially untimely for the club, […]

Hot Take NFL Podcast - Season Preview With Guest Sam Lane

RotoBaller writer Blake Sullivan and Fantrax HQ writer Steven Toroni are joined by Sam Lane to share their thoughts on fantasy drafts, the outlook for teams and player, and provide some hot takes on fantasy football. This radio show is sponsored by our good friends over at RTSports. Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel […]

Alvin Kamara Has Favorable Opening Matchup

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will look to replicate his fantastic rookie season when the Saints take on the Buccaneers in Week 1. Kamara will be the focal point of the Saints running game with running back Mark Ingram suspended and has a fantastic matchup to start the season. He will go up […]

Kerryon Johnson's Role Will Continue To Develop

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said he likes rookie running back Kerryon Johnson and will let the rookie's role develop and define itself based on his play early in the year. The Lions are expected to go with a committee approach in the backfield with LeGarrette Blount and Johnson, with Theo Riddick helping […]

Colts Sign Jeremy McNichols To Practice Squad

The Indianapolis Colts signed free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols to their practice squad on Monday. McNichols was cut by the 49ers over the weekend after he failed to record a rushing attempt in his first season in 2017. McNichols was a fifth-round draft pick by the Buccaneers in 2017. With Indy's running back room largely […]