Happy holidays to the faithful readers of the Backfield Report. With holiday SZN in full swing and travel plans in store, I am condensing this week’s article and only writing up the backfields where more information is needed.
Snaps, opportunities, routes run, and targets will all still be provided from every team’s Week 16 game, but I won’t be diving into why we still can’t start Blake Corum in Week 17 or why Saquon Barkley is the only Eagles running back we can trust this week, etc.
Thank you again to everyone who made this article a part of their weekly rotation while prepping for the upcoming fantasy week, and good luck to those battling for fantasy championships!
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner (Week 16: 28 snaps, 19 opportunities, 9 routes, 4 targets)
- Michael Carter (Week 16: 25 snaps, 10 opportunities, 15 routes, 5 targets)
- DeeJay Dallas (Week 16: 12 snaps, 1 opportunity, 10 routes, 1 target)
Notes: James Conner suffered a knee injury in Week 16’s loss to the Panthers, which resulted in Michael Carter stepping into a lead role. While Conner’s status for Week 17 remains up in the air, Carter is a clear must-add across most fantasy formats. The former fourth-round draft pick totaled 48 yards from scrimmage on his 10 touches, and PPR scammed his way to five receptions for 30 yards on five targets. People forget that Carter was once a renowned rookie prospect in the fantasy community. He wasn’t long for the Jets after the team drafted Breece Hall in 2022, but Carter was solid as a rookie, rushing for 147-639-4 in 14 games while rushing 36 times for 325 yards. If Conner or rookie Trey Benson (ankle) returns, then Carter has little to no upside as a fantasy asset. But those in a pinch can stream him as a volume-based RB3 if both backs sit against the Rams.
Atlanta Falcons
- Bijan Robinson (Week 16: 48 snaps, 24 opportunities, 13 routes, 2 targets)
- Tyler Allgeier (Week 16: 20 snaps, 12 opportunities, 4 routes, 1 target)
Notes: Tyler Allgeier has seen 12 opportunities in each of his last two games but has double-digit opportunities in seven of the 15 games he’s appeared in this season. Atlanta gets a Commanders defense that has often proven to be a smash for fantasy running backs, but Allgeier’s inconsistent volume makes him a thin play outside of deep leagues. Bijan Robinson is the only reliable option here and profiles as a high-end RB1 in a pivotal NFC clash.
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry (Week 16: 46 snaps, 26 opportunities, 13 routes, 2 targets)
- Rasheen Ali (Week 16: 9 snaps, 1 opportunity, 2 routes, 0 targets)
- Justice Hill (Week 16: 7 snaps, 3 opportunities, 4 routes, 1 target)
Notes: Justice Hill suffered a concussion in Week 16’s win over the Steelers and is unlikely to play on a short week with the Ravens playing the Texans on Christmas day. By the time this article is published, there is a good chance Hill will have already been ruled out. With that said, it’s no secret this is Derrick Henry’s backfield. There’s no need to consider any other options here.
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook (Week 16: 21 snaps, 14 opportunities, 8 routes, 3 targets)
- Ty Johnson (Week 16: 22 snaps, 7 opportunities, 16 routes, 1 target)
- Ray Davis (Week 16: 14 snaps, 6 opportunities, 7 routes, 1 target)
Notes: James Cook smashed the Patriots in the Bills’ Week 16 win. The speedy back racked up 11-100-1 on the ground and added three receptions for another 26 yards and a score. Ty Johnson, who surprised with 123 yards from scrimmage in Week 15 plummeted back to earth against the Pats, totaling just 50 yards from scrimmage on six touches. Johnson doesn’t have any more than seven touches in a game this season and can’t be trusted in Week 17 against the Jets.
Carolina Panthers
- Chuba Hubbard (Week 16: 54 snaps, 30 opportunities, 18 routes, 5 targets)
- Mike Boone (Week 16: 3 snaps, 1 opportunity, 2 routes, 0 targets)
Chicago Bears
- D’Andre Swift (Week 16: 43 snaps, 12 opportunities, 21 routes, 3 targets)
- Roschon Johnson (Week 16: 16 snaps, 1 opportunity, 9 routes, 0 targets)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Chase Brown (Week 16: 55 snaps, 21 opportunities, 28 routes, 3 targets)
Cleveland Browns
- Jerome Ford (Week 16: 50 snaps, 16 opportunities, 25 routes, 5 targets)
- Pierre Strong (Week 16: 14 snaps, 4 opportunities, 8 routes, 2 targets)
- D’Onta Foreman (Week 16: 2 snaps, 2 opportunities, 0 routes, 0 targets)
Notes: Jerome Ford is the unquestioned RB1 in the Browns’ backfield, with Nick Chubb (foot) sidelined for the season. Ford ripped off a 66-yard run to start last week’s game against the Bengals and ended the day with 11-92-1 on the ground while adding another five catches for 39 yards. Assuming Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes another start in Week 17 against the Dolphins, Ford could be in line for another solid PPR scam and has several paths to being a top-24 PPR back.
Dallas Cowboys
- Rico Dowdle (Week 16: 42 snaps, 16 opportunities, 15 routes, 3 targets)
- Ezekiel Elliott (Week 16: 3 snaps, 1 opportunity, 0 routes, 0 targets)
Denver Broncos
- Javonte Williams (Week 16: 32 snaps, 10 opportunities, 22 routes, 10 targets)
- Audric Estime (Week 16: 13 snaps, 9 opportunities, 1 route, 0 target)
- Blake Watson (Week 16: 10 snaps, 6 opportunities, 4 routes, 2 targets)
Notes: Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) did not play in last week’s game against the Chargers. His status for Week 17’s game against the Bengals is unknown at this time. With McLaughlin out, Javonte Williams stepped up to run 22 routes and saw an absurd 10 targets in the loss. Williams totaled 53 yards from scrimmage and 12.3 PPR points thanks to elite scamming by Bo Nix, but that target volume is anything but sustainable. Rookie Audric Estime led the team with nine carries and ran for 48 yards and a score — there’s a good chance Estime operates as the lead back against a porous Bengals defense, but Sean Payton and company have proven difficult to trust this season. Neither Williams nor Estime should be viewed as anything more than an RB4 despite the plus matchup. We’ve seen too many letdowns from this backfield to put any kind of faith in them in the most important week of the season.
Detroit Lions
- Jahmyr Gibbs (Week 16: 45 snaps, 28 opportunities, 18 routes, 5 targets)
- Craig Reynolds (Week 16: 10 snaps, 5 opportunities, 3 routes, 1 target)
- Jermar Jefferson (Week 16: 5 snaps, 4 opportunities, 1 route, 1 target)
- Sione Vaki (Week 16: 5 snaps, 2 opportunities, 5 routes, 2 targets)
Green Bay Packers
- Josh Jacobs (Week 16: 28 snaps, 17 opportunities, 8 routes, 4 targets)
- Emanuel Wilson (Week 16: 25 snaps, 12 opportunities, 7 routes, 1 target)
- Chris Brooks (Week 16: 22 snaps, 7 opportunities, 5 routes, 1 target)
Notes: The Packers deployed all three of their backs in Week 16’s win over the lowly Saints, but we shouldn’t expect that to be the norm in Week 17’s game against the Vikings. Josh Jacobs ran for 13-69-1 against the Saints while adding another four receptions for 38 yards, and should be in line for his signature high-volume day against his NFC North foes. Don’t get sucked into Chris Brooks or Emanuel Wilson as viable plays despite the surprising numbers from last week.
Houston Texans
- Joe Mixon (Week 16: 38 snaps, 16 opportunities, 12 routes, 2 targets)
- Dare Ogunbowale (Week 16: 16 snaps, 0 opportunities, 12 routes, 0 targets)
- Dameon Pierce (Week 16: 4 snaps, 1 opportunity, 3 routes, 0 targets)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor (Week 16: 47 snaps, 29 opportunities, 8 routes, 0 targets)
- Trey Sermon (Week 16: 9 snaps, 8 opportunities, 1 route, 0 targets)
- Tyler Goodson (Week 16: 6 snaps, 4 opportunities, 1 route, 0 targets)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Travis Etienne (Week 16: 31 snaps, 12 opportunities, 18 routes, 3 targets)
- Tank Bigsby (Week 16: 18 snaps, 13 opportunities, 5 routes, 1 target)
- D’Ernest Johnson (Week 16: 12 snaps, 2 opportunities, 8 routes, 2 targets)
Notes: Over the last three weeks, we have seen Tank Bigsby earn 45 opportunities to Travis Etienne’s 39, with Bigsby seeing most of the team’s rush attempts (41-of-68) and Etienne seeing most of the backfield targets (12-of-18). Etienne, who has not turned in a top-12 fantasy week, has just one top-24 PPR week in his last seven games, while Bigsby hasn’t had a top-12 week since Week 7 and has only one top-24 week since Week 8. Double-digit opportunities make both backs enticing plays, but a string of underwhelming performances puts both in boom-or-bust RB3 territory this week against the Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kareem Hunt (Week 16: 32 snaps, 14 opportunities, 13 routes, 3 targets)
- Isiah Pacheco (Week 16: 23 snaps, 11 opportunities, 8 routes, 2 targets)
- Samaje Perine (Week 16: 13 snaps, 3 opportunities, 9 routes, 3 targets)
- Carson Steele (Week 16: 6 snaps, 0 opportunities, 1 route, 0 targets)
Notes: Kareem Hunt continues to work into Isiah Pacheco’s workload, in part because Pacheco has struggled to get back to his old form since returning in Week 13. Over the last four weeks, Pacheco has rushed 43 times for 157 scoreless yards while averaging 3.7 YPC. Hunt has fared much better on the ground (36-131-1, 3.6 YPC), but more efficient play from Pacheco would all but relegate Hunt to the sidelines outside of passing downs. Hunt totaled 15.9 PPR points in Week 16’s game against the Texans, while Pacheco has yet to surpass 8.1 points in any game since his return. Both will be tough to trust against a stout Steelers front and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than fringe RB3s.
Don’t miss episodes of Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry and Rotoworld Football Show all season long for the latest player news, waiver wire help, start/sit advice, and much more.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Alexander Mattison (Week 16: 38 snaps, 19 opportunities, 17 routes, 7 targets)
- Ameer Abdullah (Week 16: 29 snaps, 13 opportunities, 16 routes, 6 targets)
Notes: Alexander Mattison is once again back and doing Alexander Mattison things. Mattison totaled 56 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 19 opportunities and finished as the RB18 in PPR leagues with 15.6 points. Ameer Abdullah, who saw 13 opportunities in the defeat, totaled 85 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown and is a wild card to take touches from Mattison in Week 17’s game against the Saints. Both Mattison and Abdullah look like boom-or-bust RB3’s in a matchup that should prove favorable, even for the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards (Week 16: 28 snaps, 19 opportunities, 9 routes, 1 target)
- Kimani Vidal (Week 16: 20 snaps, 5 opportunities, 10 routes, 0 targets)
- Hassan Haskins (Week 16: 12 snaps, 2 opportunities, 8 routes, 2 targets)
Notes: Kimani Vidal continues to see an increase in snaps, but the opportunities aren’t following. Gus Edwards saw a season-high 19 opportunities in Week 16’s win over the Broncos and even punched in two scores while rushing for 68 yards on 14 carries. The biggest threat to Edwards’ opportunities, in Week 17 is J.K. Dobbins, whose 21-day return window has opened. If the Chargers don’t activate him against the Patriots, Edwards should continue to see the bulk of the opportunities/touches.
Los Angeles Rams
- Kyren Williams (Week 16: 42 snaps, 24 opportunities, 7 routes, 1 target)
- Blake Corum (Week 16: 8 snaps, 5 opportunities, 1 route, 0 targets)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane (Week 16: 47 snaps, 24 opportunities, 22 routes, 7 targets)
- Raheem Mostert (Week 16: 21 snaps, 10 opportunities, 8 routes, 2 targets)
- Jeff Wilson (Week 16: 7 snaps, 2 opportunities, 2 routes, 0 targets)
Minnesota Vikings
- Aaron Jones (Week 16: 51 snaps, 23 opportunities, 24 routes, 5 targets)
- Cam Akers (Week 16: 6 snaps, 1 opportunity, 3 routes, 0 targets)
New England Patriots
- Antonio Gibson (Week 16: 40 snaps, 12 opportunities, 14 routes, 2 targets)
- Rhamondre Stevenson (Week 16: 29 snaps, 13 opportunities, 9 routes, 1 target)
Notes: The 12 opportunities Antonio Gibson saw in Week 16’s loss to the Bills were his most in any game since Week 6 against the Texans. Before then, Gibson was riding an eight game streak of games in which he saw less than 10 opportunities. If the looks are enticing for you, consider that Gibson totaled just 36 yards on his touches and failed to find the end zone. Rhamondre Stevenson, who totaled 73 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on his 13 touches, is the only Patriots back worth starting in Week 17 against the Chargers.
New Orleans Saints
- Jordan Mims (Week 16: 23 snaps, 12 opportunities, 19 routes, 8 targets)
- Kendre Miller (Week 16: 21 snaps, 10 opportunities, 12 routes, 2 targets)
- Jamaal Williams (Week 16: 10 snaps, 3 opportunities, 3 routes, 0 targets)
Notes: Monday night’s game against the Packers was supposed to be Kendre Miller’s night to shine. The second-year back was finally supposed to take command of the Saints’ backfield with Alvin Kamara (knee) sidelined and show all of the pedigree that made him a third-round pick in last year’s draft. It was fun while it lasted. Miller was out-snapped and out-touched by Jordan Mims, who was a rookie UDFA last season. Neither back was particularly impressive, but Miller totaled just 31 yards from scrimmage on 10 touches, while Mims didn’t fare much better with 32 yards on nine touches. The value in Mims, however, may lie in the passing game, as he nearly doubled Miller’s routes run while out-targeting Miller 8-2. It’s hard to get excited about either back in Week 17’s game against the Raiders, but it’s hard to deny the plus matchup and the strong target volume we saw from Mims. If Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was also inactive in Week 16, misses another game, the Saints could be scraping the barrel for targets, which could lead to more decent volume for Mims. Both backs are desperation plays.
New York Giants
- Tyrone Tracy (Week 16: 33 snaps, 11 opportunities, 13 routes, 4 targets)
- Devin Singletary (Week 16: 13 snaps, 4 opportunities, 6 routes, 0 targets)
- Eric Gray (Week 16: 9 snaps, 1 opportunity, 8 routes, 1 target)
New York Jets
- Breece Hall (Week 16: 50 snaps, 20 opportunities, 28 routes, 6 targets)
- Braelon Allen (Week 16: 8 snaps, 3 opportunities, 5 routes, 1 target)
- Isaiah Davis (Week 16: 8 snaps, 3 opportunities, 3 routes, 0 targets)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley (Week 16: 59 snaps, 30 opportunities, 23 routes, 1 target)
- Kenneth Gainwell (Week 16: 13 snaps, 5 opportunities, 3 routes, 1 target)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jaylen Warren (Week 16: 40 snaps, 17 opportunities, 25 routes, 5 targets)
- Najee Harris (Week 16: 17 snaps, 10 opportunities, 8 routes, 1 target)
- Cordarrelle Patterson (Week 16: 3 snaps, 1 opportunity, 3 routes, 1 target)
Notes: Jaylen Warren played well ahead of Najee Harris in the Steelers’ 34-17 loss to the Ravens. With no injury of note to Harris, we can only assume that this decision was influenced by game script after the Ravens jumped out to a 24-17 lead late in the third quarter and never ceded control back to the Steelers in the Week 16 win. Warren saw 13 of his 40 snaps (32.5 percent) come in the fourth quarter, lending further credence to this usage being somewhat game-script-dependent as the better pass-catcher of the two backs. Warren racked up 92 yards from scrimmage to Harris’ 42, but neither back found the end zone and turned in underwhelming fantasy performances as a result. Both backs have been and continue to feel like touchdown-dependent options and will remain so in Week 17 against the Chiefs, where Warren could again benefit from game script.
Seattle Seahawks
- Kenneth Walker (Week 16: 34 snaps, 16 opportunities, 18 routes, 8 targets)
- Zach Charbonnet (Week 16: 11 snaps, 3 opportunities, 7 routes, 2 targets)
- Kenny McIntosh (Week 16: 14 snaps, 4 opportunities, 7 routes, 1 target)
Notes: Kenneth Walker returned from a calf injury in Week 16’s game against the Vikings and later exited with an ankle injury. He was listed as a DNP on Monday and could be a long shot to play on Thursday night against the Bears. This means we could once again be looking at Zach Charbonnet SZN. Charbonnet, who had just one run for a loss in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, becomes a forgotten man in Seattle’s offense when Walker is active and the best running back on the planet when Walker is out. I’m being a bit hyperbolic in my praise for Charbonnet sans Walker, but the splits, courtesy of the RotoViz Game Splits app (“Out of Split” colum represents the games without Walker), bear this all out in great detail. If Walker can go on Thursday against the Bears, he profiles as a volume-based top-24 back, while Charbonnet can’t be trusted. If he sits, Charbonnet becomes a high-upside RB2 who should handle most of the work in the Week 17 showdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Bucky Irving (Week 16: 41 snaps, 19 opportunities, 19 routes, 3 targets)
- Rachaad White (Week 16: 34 snaps, 11 opportunities, 20 routes, 8 targets)
Notes: Rachaad White fumbled away a pivotal play late in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Cowboys. Head coach Todd Bowles said after that game that White being tasked as the two-minute back was why he was on the field in such a big spot as the Buccaneers attempted to mount a comeback. Irving rushed for 16-68-1 in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Cowboys while adding another three catches or 24 yards. White managed only 10 scoreless yards on the ground but caught 7-of-8 targets for 50 yards and ended his week with 13.0 PPR points and a top-24 finish. Both White and Irving possess top-24 fantasy upside every week and should have a chance to offer that to their fantasy managers in Week 17’s game against the Panthers.
Tennessee Titans
- Tyjae Spears (Week 16: 34 snaps, 14 opportunities, 21 routes, 4 targets)
- Tony Pollard (Week 16: 23 snaps, 12 opportunities, 12 routes, 4 targets)
Notes: Tyjae Spears has found the end zone three times in the last two weeks while racking up 158 yards from scrimmage and averaging 12.5 opportunities per game. Tony Pollard, who entered week 16’s game against the Colts with an ankle injury, totaled just 40 scoreless yards on 10 touches. Whether it’s due to injury or play, Pollard has undoubtedly lost work to Spears over the last two weeks, and Week 17’s game against the Jaguars may not be any different. Pollard should remain in the RB2 conversation as long as he is still active, but against a bad Jaguars team, Spears should also have some FLEX appeal and could sneak in his third-straight top-24 fantasy finish after finishing as the RB3 and RB10 in PPR last week.
Washington Commanders
- Brian Robinson (Week 16: 40 snaps, 13 opportunities, 16 routes, 3 targets)
- Jeremy McNichols (Week 16: 18 snaps, 6 opportunities, 13 routes, 4 targets)
Notes: Brian Robinson lost two fumbles in last week’s win over the Eagles while rushing for 24 yards on 10 carries. The Commanders’ RB1 has underwhelmed in each of his last two weeks, but B-Rob remains the only back in this offense with any ounce of fantasy value until Austin Ekeler (concussion) returns. Ekeler doesn’t appear to be in line to play in Week 17, as the latest news on him said he was “trending in the right way” to return in Week 18. Robinson’s volume will keep him in the RB2 conversation against the Falcons with playoff berths on the line.
NOTE: Stats and information courtesy of PFF.com, RotoViz.com, ProFootballReference.com, NextGenStats.NFL.com, 4For4.com, FantasyPoints.com and RBSDM.com. All scoring is based on full-PPR leagues.
