There’s a shortage of quality fantasy football RBs this year which has created an “RB emergency.” Fantasy managers everywhere are feeling this hit with a plethora of star running backs down or backups seeing more playing time than previously anticipated so early in the season.
So, how can fantasy football managers react to this trend? Well, read below!
Fantasy Football RB Injuries
Simply put, the prevalence of injuries, especially to running backs, has put a strain on the fantasy football ecosystem. Through four weeks of football, we’ve seen two season-ending injuries to Nick Chubb and JK Dobbins. Not to mention the other quality running backs who have missed time already — Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones, David Montgomery and Javonte Williams, to name a few.
On a side note, Jonathan Taylor is expected to rejoin the Indianapolis Colts this week, which would be a boost to the position group for fantasy.
Rise of RB Committees
This is one of the trends that has shocked NFL fans and fantasy managers everywhere. Teams don’t want to commit to paying a star RB a ton of money, so they roll with a committee approach. Because of this, a single player’s efficiency might overtake others in their respective RB rooms.
For example, maybe that’s De’Von Achane in Miami? Or perhaps even D’Andre Swift has taken the keys in Philadelphia? Or, like the Detroit Lions, who drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, yet signed David Montgomery this offseason.
Additionally, is Joshua Kelly a concern for Ekeler owners? Well, no. But, while it is frustrating to see Kelly take away points from Ekeler, it’s not exactly a plot twist. Kellen Moore is now the offensive coordinator for the LA Chargers, and managers should be jaded from the rise of Tony Pollard in that Dallas offense. In layman’s terms, Moore is a fan of a two-RB system.
There’s also concern in Pittsburgh, as Jaylen Warren has been seeing a few too many snaps for Najee Harris owners. Even certified “work-horses” are starting to see their backups see significant playing time.
What Does This RB Emergency Mean for Your Fantasy Football Team?
If you’re fortunate enough to have not been affected by this drought, then you better start giving thanks. If you’re in a position to, you could try trading away some RB depth of yours to an RB-needy team for a king’s ransom. Now’s the time to sell high, IF you can. Additionally, if you are one of the poor souls affected by this downward trend of RB fantasy output, then you should look to the fantasy football waiver wire. De’Von Achane has now surprised the league by posting two monster stat lines back-to-back. Paired with Raheem Mostert’s injury history, and fumble from this past week, it looks like Miami might have found a stud in Achane. Or, as hinted at previously, you should be prepared to trade a king’s ransom to boost your team.
Additionally, if you haven’t already, you need to start following the NFL news cycle on a deeper level, as offensive coordinators can make or break your team by how much they allot to your running back. Injury reports are another up-to-date news report you should be following. Make sure to buy low on players coming back from injuries, if you feel confident in them.
And, we always have you covered here at FlurrySports! Don’t let the RB emergency this season affect you, so stay tuned with us so you can stay on top of your fantasy football league!
