Running Backs

devon achane
Season Long – All Sports

Top Five Running Back Sleepers

August 9, 2023 Shawn Childs

Top Five Running Back Sleepers There are some strategies that advocate targeting running backs early and often. However, many other #ZERORB drafters bypass early RBs altogether. Regardless of your approach, running backs remain a pivotal focus in fantasy football. By […]

Top Five Running Back Sleepers

 

There are some strategies that advocate targeting running backs early and often. However, many other #ZERORB drafters bypass early RBs altogether. Regardless of your approach, running backs remain a pivotal focus in fantasy football.

By in large, top-tier running backs will accumulate the most points in fantasy lineups. That makes them an integral part of each and every lineup. Knowing which mid-to-late-round running back sleepers to target can make all the difference between a middling roster and a real championship contender.

Here are the Top Five Running Back Sleepers to target in your 2023 fantasy football draft or auction.

Breaking Down The Field

I researched the running back outcomes in 2022 to keep the same theme with the quarterback and wide receiver week-to-week data. Over 18 weeks, running backs scored 30 fantasy points or more in PPR formats in 26 games. Four of these scores reach the 40-point mark (Joe Mixon – 55.10, Alvin Kamara – 42.80, Christian McCaffrey – 40.60, and Josh Jacobs – 48.30). Austin Ekeler (4) and Josh Jacobs (4) posted the most impact games.

The top 12 running backs posted 17 of the 26 games with more than 30 fantasy points, compared to five by RB2s. Backs scored between 20 and 29.99 fantasy points 107 times, with RB1s accounting for 51 of those showings. They finished with a 106:67 boom or bust ratio (15 fantasy points or more/fewer than 10.00 fantasy points). The second 12 running backs had a much weaker ratio (58:100).

Austin Ekeler scores 20 or more fantasy points in nine games, giving him a 52.9% win rate in his impact ratio. Christian McCaffrey (8) and Derrick Henry (8) finished tied for second in this area. 

The highest floor ratio (76.5) went to Christian McCaffery (13 games), followed by Austin Ekeler (12) and Saquan Barkley (12), then Derrick Henry (10) and Nick Chubb (10).

After Week 10, only three back scores ranking outside the top 38 scored more than 20 fantasy points in a game (Brian Robinson – 20.50, JaMycal Hasty – 20.50, and Zack Moss – 21.10). 

Here’s a look at the top 24 running backs from last season with their highlighted week-to-week scores…

WHO ARE THE TOP FIVE RUNNING BACK SLEEPERS TO TARGET IN YOUR 2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFTS?

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Check out our FREE profiles of top RB Bijan Robinson and elite WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to see the kind of in-depth reports you can expect, only from FullTime Fantasy! 

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David Montgomery
Season Long – All Sports

Top 10 Fantasy Football Handcuffs

August 7, 2023 Shawn Childs

Top 10 Fantasy Football Handcuffs No position is as volatile or susceptible to injuries as running backs. Part of building a competitive fantasy football roster is to include an insurance policy. Targeting those handcuff running backs is a viable strategy […]

Top 10 Fantasy Football Handcuffs

No position is as volatile or susceptible to injuries as running backs. Part of building a competitive fantasy football roster is to include an insurance policy. Targeting those handcuff running backs is a viable strategy and safety net.

With so many teams employing committee backfields, selecting your early-round running back’s direct backup makes sense. Whether you play in redraft, bestball, or in high-stakes leagues, knowing the fantasy-relevant handcuff running backs is crucial.

Here are the top 10 fantasy football handcuffs to target in the 2023 draft season.

David Montgomery (Detroit Lions)

With Jahmyr Gibbs added to the Lions’ offense, Montgomery tends to be an afterthought as an RB3 (ranks 29th) in the high-stakes market. Despite being listed as a handcuff back, he will be the early down back for Detroit with value in scoring and catches. Detroit’s running backs gained 2,795 combined yards with 29 scores and 82 catches (31.5 FPPG in PPR formats) in 2022.

Montgomery projects to be a better option than Jamaal Williams (262/1,066/17 with 12 catches for 73 yards) this season. I don’t expect as many touchdowns. But Montgomery will be more active in the passing game. At the very least, Montgomery is a cheat RB2 who should outperform his ADP in 2023.

Antonio Gibson (Washington Commanders)

Gibson ended up being a fantasy disappointment in 2022 due to the emergence of Brian Robinson. He rushed for more than 60 yards in only one (18/72) of his 15 matchups while offering only two showings (7/72 and 7/58/1) with more than three catches.

Despite his shortfall, Gibson finished 28th in running back scoring in PPR formats. A new offensive coordinator (Eric Bieniemy) invites more chances for Washington’s running backs in the passing game. Gibson will be a rotational player on early downs, with most of his action coming in the passing game. Pass-catching backs tend to have a higher floor, giving Gibson RB3 status this year…

WHAT OTHER RUNNING BACK HANDCUFFS SHOULD FANTASY DRAFTERS TARGET IN 2023 FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFTS?

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Check out our FREE profiles of top RB Bijan Robinson and elite WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to see the kind of in-depth reports you can expect, only from FullTime Fantasy! 

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Season Long – All Sports

2023 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: RB

July 3, 2023 Jody Smith

There is certainly no shortage of analytics and data available to fantasy football enthusiasts. One of the most useful tools available to the well-prepared fantasy drafter is to break down the strength of schedule for each position. FullTime’s 2023 Fantasy […]

There is certainly no shortage of analytics and data available to fantasy football enthusiasts. One of the most useful tools available to the well-prepared fantasy drafter is to break down the strength of schedule for each position. FullTime’s 2023 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: RB looks at the most crucial position to give you a draft-day edge.

While there is plenty of strength of schedule analysis out there, FullTime Fantasy breaks down the data in a unique way. In addition to season-long data, FullTime Fantasy Members get access to all positions including IDP. Also, the data can be sorted by remaining games and broken down into sections. This can be especially helpful for high-stakes and tournament drafters looking for the edge during the fantasy playoffs.

After breaking down quarterbacks previously, here is a deep dive into the 2023 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: RB and how to take advantage of that data this draft season.

The numbers listed include Weeks 1-17.

Favorable Schedules

Javonte Williams & Samaje Perine (Denver Broncos) – Because there is uncertainty on the health of Javonte Williams’s surgically-repaired knee, drafting both Denver running backs is an easily attainable strategy. Snagging Williams first, then handcuffing Perine would give fantasy drafters the most favorable schedule for running backs in 2023.

Of course, this approach offers plenty of risk. Williams tore multiple ligaments last fall. Meanwhile, Perine has never had an extended run as a starter. However, selecting both players in the new Sean Payton offense offers plenty of fantasy potential.

Plus, Denver gets an appealing slate of games to accrue that production. The Broncos get four games against opponents that…

WHAT OTHER RUNNING BACKS will be impacted by the 2023 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule?

To finish reading this in-depth schedule analysis

 

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Check out our FREE profiles of top RB Bijan Robinson and elite WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to see the kind of in-depth reports you can expect, only from FullTime Fantasy! 

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Elijah Moore
Season Long – All Sports

Mid-to-Late Round WRs to Target

August 24, 2022 Mark Morales-Smith

Get a group of 12 football fans together and you might get a dozen different draft strategies. For the many people who will choose to attack running back depth first, our mid-to-late round WRs to target is the perfect companion […]

Get a group of 12 football fans together and you might get a dozen different draft strategies. For the many people who will choose to attack running back depth first, our mid-to-late round WRs to target is the perfect companion piece

Focusing on running backs early is the opposite of Zero-RB. RB truthers love attacking running back early and often and look to load up on quality pass-catchers later. The approach is old school but makes a lot of sense with the available wide receiver depth in the middle rounds.

For you early running back fans, here are some mid-to-late round WRs targets to draft after loading up on runners early. And don’t forget to check out our 2022 Zero-RB targets.

FFWC high-stakes ADP data found here.

Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens) ADP 47.1, (WR27)

We’ve seen Hollywood Brown finish as a WR2 in the Ravens system and have significant stretches looking like an impressive WR1 and now his absence vacated 146 targets from last year and that’s with him missing a game. The Ravens didn’t add any significant pieces at wideout because they believe in Bateman. While he’s not quite as fast as Hollywood, I view Bateman as a better prospect and should develop into a better more well-rounded wideout. There is no reason he shouldn’t see 150 targets in 2022. 

Elijah Moore (New York Jets) ADP  51.2, (WR30)

The only reason Moore isn’t being drafted as a WR1 is that he’s on the Jets and the QB situation is a nightmare. That’s a fair argument and I fully understand not having faith in Zach Wilson. However, the talent wins out here for me. Moore broke out down the stretch last year before getting injured. Over his final six games, he posted 34 receptions on 51 targets for 459 yards and five touchdowns. The QBs may not be improved, but the wideout should be just as good if not better…

Who else made the 2022 Fantasy Football Hero-RB targets list?

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Indianapolis Colts RB Nyheim Hines
Season Long – All Sports

2022 Fantasy Football Zero-RB Targets

August 19, 2022 Jody Smith

Now that fantasy football draft season is here, it’s time to look at different strategies. Contrarian approaches like #ZeroRB have a lot of traction and our 2022 Fantasy Football Zero-RB Targets can help identify mid-to-late round running backs to draft. […]

Now that fantasy football draft season is here, it’s time to look at different strategies. Contrarian approaches like #ZeroRB have a lot of traction and our 2022 Fantasy Football Zero-RB Targets can help identify mid-to-late round running backs to draft.

Although there is no definitive #ZeroRB rule, generally starting the draft focusing on elite wide receivers and tight ends while waiting until the middle of the draft at the earliest to address the backfield is the idea. Some drafters will take a running back before Round 5 in a modified Zero-RB, but we’ll focus on the former.

Here are some 2022 fantasy football Zero-RB targets to look for in the mid-to-late rounds of your draft. All ADP cited courtesy of FFWC high-stakes Advanced ADP.

Chase Edmonds (Miami Dolphins) ADP 70.5, (RB24)

There is a notable difference in Edmonds’s ADP in high-stakes leagues versus the consensus formats. That’s usually a good sign to target a player. As it stands, Chase Edmonds is the overwhelming favorite to be Miami’s main running back. He’s an excellent fit in the team’s new zone-blocking scheme and a trustworthy pass-catcher.

With the Cardinals last season, Edmonds saw 53 targets in 12 games and posted overall RB28 numbers in terms of fantasy points per game. Miami ranked 11th in plays per game in 2021 and should be even more potent with Tyreek Hill added to the fold. I view Edmonds as a quality weekly RB2 and a superb value in the sixth round.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City Chiefs) ADP 78, RB27

After two disappointing outings to open his career, fantasy managers are understandably off of CEH. In 2021, PFF ranked Edwards-Helaire as the 79th running back. He was even worse as a receiver and struggled mightily in short yardage. Still, new opportunities mean new value in 2022.

CEH has dominated first-team work throughout the preseason and should get plenty of opportunities in an offense that lost four of their top-6 target earners. What we do know is he can pass protect for Pat Mahomes. Plus, rumors persist that Ronald Jones may not even make the Chiefs’ opening day roster. At this point, Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s ADP has fallen so low that there is little downside to targeting him in the seventh or eighth round.

Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans) ADP 88.3, RB32

Pierce’s ADP has shot up multiple rounds due to his impressive preseason film and the lackluster showing for Marlon Mack. The veteran may be extended the starting courtesy in September, but it seems like only a matter of time before Pierce takes over Houston’s backfield. Pierce was PFF’s highest-graded runner in 2021 and ranked 6th as a pass-catcher. He also ranked top-5 in yards created and elusiveness. It looks like the Texans hit a home run with Pierce and fantasy managers are about to do the same.

Who else made the 2022 Fantasy Football Zero-RB targets list?

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Jonathan Taylor
Season Long – All Sports

Fantasy RB Tiers 2022 2.0

May 20, 2022 Jody Smith

August is here and that means that the Fantasy Football draft season has finally arrived! Whether you’re in a dynasty, redraft, or best ball format, the most accurate up-to-date rankings are crucial for assembling a championship-winning roster and accurate 2022 […]

2022 Fantasy Football RB Rankings

Temperatures outside are heating up and that means that the Fantasy Football draft season has finally arrived! Whether you’re in a dynasty, redraft, or best ball format, accurate up-to-date rankings are crucial for assembling a championship-winning roster.

Recently, the FullTime team of Jody Smith and Billy Muzio put together the initial run of 2022 Fantasy Football Rankings after an episode of the FullTime Fantasy Podcast.

Here are our initial 2022 Fantasy Football RB Rankings. Be sure to bookmark all of our rankings, which will be constantly updated all summer.

RANK PLAYER POS TEAM BYE
1 Johnathan Taylor RB IND 14
2 Austin Ekeler RB LAC 8
3 Christian McCaffrey RB CAR 13
4 Najee Harris RB PIT 9
5 Derrick Henry RB TEN 6
6 Dalvin Cook RB MIN 7
7 Joe Mixon RB CIN 10

WHAT OTHER PLAYERS MADE OUR TOP-10 RB RANKINGS?

To finish reading this in-depth article and Jody’s DYNASTY QB ROOKIE RANKINGS

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