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Final preseason running back depth charts for each NFL division. Taylor Maxston looks at the RB groups for every division and provides some analysis on sleepers and busts.
Be sure to stay updated all season long with our constantly updated Running Back (RB) Depth Charts for fantasy football.
The regular season is right around the corner and each team's depth chart is mostly complete! Before diving into the fantasy season, RotoBaller has you covered with some last minute running back depth chart recaps for each team, including some useful bits of analysis for players you want to keep on your radar.
Please note that the charts below are based on individual team depth charts, not necessarily on fantasy football relevance. Check out our WR depth chart analysis as well when you're done.
AFC WEST
Rookie Riser: Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
Although it is likely that the Denver Broncos will employ a committee backfield approach in 2018, rookie running back Royce Freeman has made a strong case this preseason to garner the majority of the rushing workload. Freeman has managed to accumulate a touchdown in all three of his preseason games and is exciting Broncos fans with his bruising, between the tackles running style. It will be hard to keep him on the bench in both real life and fantasy football.
AFC NORTH
New Team, No Problem: Carlos Hyde (RB, CLE)
A crowded Cleveland Browns backfield has started to take shape and one thing is for sure, Carlos Hyde is the lead dog. The former San Francisco 49er bell cow has averaged 6.4 yards per carry across three preseason games and shown incredibly well against first-team defenses. Rookie Nick Chubb could also factor into the rotation, but Hyde’s workload is unlikely to be threatened barring some form of injury.
AFC SOUTH
ADP Riser: Lamar Miller (RB, HOU)
With no competition to speak of at present and the promise of an explosive passer returning to action, Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller is seemingly growing on many fantasy owners as a certified RB2 with RB1 upside. In the span of a month, Miller’s average draft position has risen from the middle of the fourth round to the back of the third. Though Miller’s 3.9 yards per carry in the preseason won’t be blowing anyone away, the cat is seemingly out of the bag with how heavily the Texans will rely on him to carry the rushing workload.
AFC EAST
PPR Value: James White (RB, NE)
Writing off the New England Patriots backfield as a full-blown rotation seems to be the popular belief in the fantasy community. Still, when the running back in your pass-catching role departs for the AFC South a-la Dion Lewis and the next man up for that role catches six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in a preseason game, it’s hard to ignore. Enter James White, who could reward fantasy owners in PPR formats with his dual-threat ability out of the backfield. His is a name to draft for the passing volume he could get in a high-powered Patriots offense.
NFC WEST
Worrisome Signs: San Francisco 49ers Backfield
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was supposed to markedly improve the productivity of former Minnesota Vikings tailback Jerick McKinnon before a knee injury cut his preseason short. Fellow backfield mate Matt Breida was also drawing praise and threatening McKinnon’s workload before a shoulder injury ended his preseason. Now that Alfred Morris has performed well after rekindling his connection with Shanahan back from their Washington Redskins’ days, the 49ers backfield is becoming slightly too cluttered for fantasy owners to really buy in to.
Update 9/1 at 7:00 PM ET: Jerick McKinnon sustained an injury today in practice, and has already been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. It's a devastating blow for McKinnon, the 49ers and fantasy owners - Alfred Morris and Matt Breida will be the main running backs going forward.
#49ers Kyle Shanahan on Jerick McKinnon knee injury in 11-on-11 drills: He made a cut on air, last play of practice, no one was around him. Looked awkward. We're concerned. He's going to have an MRI. Something about a knee. We're nervous about it, for sure.
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 1, 2018
49ers’ RB Jerick McKinnon did tear his ACL while making a cut on the last play of practice Saturday with nobody around him, per source.
McKinnon now done for the season. Matt Breida and Alfred Morris time.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2018
NFC NORTH
A Necessary Handcuff: Latavius Murray (RB, MIN)
I believe in the talent of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, but not necessarily the prolonged health. The team has been extremely cautious to avoid overworking Cook’s ACL in the preseason to Latavius Murray’s benefit. If Cook were to re-aggravate his injury at some point, using a tenth round pick on Murray would be a high-volume insurance policy that could help save an owner’s season.
NFC SOUTH
Rusher To Fade: C.J. Anderson (RB, CAR)
The Carolina Panthers’ decision to sign running back C.J. Anderson was one that was thought to be a harsh blow to Christian McCaffrey truthers. Unfortunately for Anderson, McCaffrey has dominated first-team snaps in the preseason and looked absolutely incredible with them. The Panthers are unlikely to make Anderson fantasy-relevant any time soon unless McCaffrey has to miss time.
NFC EAST
Ageless Wonder: Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)
When Adrian Peterson signed with the Washington Redskins after their prolific rookie went down and was slated to start in Week 3 of the preseason, many were skeptical about whether the 33-year old still had the ability to compete at a high level. Those concerns were quickly alleviated as Peterson rushed 11 times for 56 yards and quickly cemented his fantasy status among players like Chris Carson. As long as Peterson can continue to generate positive yardage, he will easily fend off Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley for the starting gig.
