Nobody likes a running back committee, but unfortunately, every fantasy owner has to handle at least one on their fantasy team. There simply aren’t enough bell cow running backs in the NFL for everyone. Some are easier to figure out, while others are borderline impossible.
Here’s some advice for the rest of the year about the NFL’s three most maddening committees.
Denver Broncos
At this point, C.J. Anderson has to be considered the biggest bust in fantasy football. Through five weeks, Anderson has rushed for 139 yards, a total that should be a good game from a first-round pick. Anderson hasn’t topped 50 yards in a single game yet, nor has he scored a touchdown.
And yet, he remains Denver’s starter, because the entire offense has been grounded, and Ronnie Hillman isn’t seizing his opportunity to strike. Hillman has registered just eight fewer carries than Anderson, and has done almost as little, excluding a 103-yard performance in Week 4 that included a touchdown. His production was inflated by a 72-yard scoring scamper that elevated an otherwise plodding performance.
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The Broncos’ issue is multi-dimensional. Their offensive line has been atrocious, and Peyton Manning’s steep decline has defenses playing closer to the line of scrimmage than they ever have before. Plus, the meshing of Manning with Gary Kubiak’s offense has been awkward at best, and a downright failure in spots.
The chances of this situation improving much are slim, but the best bet is to own both guys, and play Anderson in good matchups. He is the preferred back, and Hillman is banged up right now. He should keep playing, but if Anderson can have a good game with Hillman limited, he may steal the role back. One of these RBs will eventually take hold. Keep both rostered until it happens, but if the matchup is bad, don’t hesitate to bench both.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals situation is a mess for fantasy. No one is standing out, and they all have pluses and minuses. The most talented back in their three-headed monster is rookie David Johnson, but the Cardinals coaching staff seems least interested in keeping him fed. He has struggled with his blocking and put the ball on the ground, which are major no-nos for a rookie. Johnson does look like he’s becoming Arizona’s goal line back, however.
Chris Johnson leads the team in touches, and, amazingly, he’s been good. He’s averaging 5.1 yards a clip, has two touchdowns, and looks productive in the passing game.
Andre Ellington, who has played sparingly thanks to injury, is once again doing major damage in small doses. Ellington is averaging 8.8 yards per carry, a number that’s in line with his rookie rates when fantasy owners begged for him to get more work. If he stays healthy, Ellington is the best bet to lead the team in carries.
Moving forward, Chris Johnson and Ellington are in a dead heat in terms of value, which is frustrating because Johnson was mostly undrafted, while Ellington was going as high as Round 3 in some drafts. In re-draft leagues, these are the two backs who matter, and the smart money is on Ellington overtaking CJ2K. Keeper league owners have to hang on to David Johnson, a home run threat with size, because he will be kept at a great price, and profiles better for high usage down the line. For now though, he isn’t someone you can comfortably start.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans RB situation is another wasteland, but it doesn’t have to be. The guy who should be their most productive RB is scatback Dexter McCluster, although that’s unlikely to happen. The success of players like Lance Dunbar, Danny Woodhead, Darren Sproles, and Shane Vereen have proven the value of receiving-first RBs. McCluster is absolutely perfect for this role, but continues to take a backseat while Bishop Sankey and Antonio Andrews hot potato the starting gig.
Lately, Andrews seems to be in favor, but his 19 carries for 58 yards aren’t blowing anyone’s doors off. He’s scored in back-to-back games, but both were short yardage plunges. He isn’t anything special. Neither is Sankey, who is at least picking up 4.1 yards per carry. If you MUST roster a Titans RB, your best bet is to hope the coaching staff wises up and starts flinging it to McCluster.
Otherwise, Sankey is an unkillable fantasy villain. Nobody wants him, yet he keeps getting carries, and the occasional score, so we need to have him. Andrews will fade, while Sankey, seemingly, is forever.
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