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Next-Up RBs to Win Fantasy Leagues: Post-NFL Draft Update

Chad Parsons's Next-Up RBs to Win Fantasy Leagues: Post-NFL Draft Update
By Chad Parsons, May 23, 2022

Next-Up RBs to Win Fantasy Leagues: Post-NFL Draft Update
Photo: USA Today Sports

Plenty of fantasy football drafters and managers overlook the backup running back landscape. The starting running back gets all the production and attention...until they do not. One injury can change the fantasy football league landscape for two teams - the one that lost the weekly starter and the one who has (or will have) the inherited workload of the backup running back, now thrust into the starting role. Navigating the running back landscape is critical to monopolizing upside on a fantasy roster and saving countless waiver wire dollars (or claim priority) by projecting the "What if?" scenarios ahead at the position. Here is a breakdown of the NFL depth charts by clarity and upside after the NFL Draft.

Big Upside with Clarity

Denver Broncos

Melvin Gordon is back and a likely committee with Javonte Williams in some form of 60-40 or 55-45 split. The big upside comes if either one is out and a clarified start is present for the other.

Cleveland Browns

Kareem Hunt is the big-upside-with-clarity option behind Nick Chubb, but Hunt's salary and no dead money could point to the Browns moving on by Week 1. D'Ernest Johnson would also be a clarified high-upside option. Jerome Ford was a quality talent addition to the depth chart from the 2022 rookie class as well.

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Pollard has been 'in waiting' for years without a clarified start. The upside is huge if he ever gets a string of starts on the Dallas offense.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are in a committee like the Denver backfield. The same principle applies here - either one would be an elite starting option if the other misses time and both are in the flex or better discussion weekly for lineups even as a committee.

Minnesota Vikings

This is Dallas North in terms of clarity with Dalvin Cook followed by Alexander Mattison. Like Cleveland, Minnesota has also done a good job with stocking the cupboard for the future or if injuries mount with Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler beyond Mattison.

New Orleans Saints

The underrated depth chart here is the Saints with Mark Ingram a sturdy veteran in the 1B or RB2 role. Tony Jones got significant attention last offseason and Abram Smith (UDFA rookie) is getting attention this offseason, but the job and clarity is Ingram's until further notice.

Big Upside with Some Clarity

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Tags RB strategy Ameer Abdullah Cam Akers Tyler Allgeier Eno Benjamin Matt Breida Kennedy Brooks Rex Burkhead Chris Carson Ty Chandler Nick Chubb James Conner Snoop Conner Dalvin Cook Mike Davis Tyrion Davis-Price AJ Dillon J.K. Dobbins Chase Edmonds Clyde Edwards-Helaire Gus Edwards Austin Ekeler Travis Etienne Jr. Darrynton Evans Jerome Ford D'Onta Foreman Leonard Fournette Kenneth Gainwell Antonio Gibson Melvin Gordon III Derrick Gore Damien Harris Kevin Harris Darrell Henderson Jr. Khalil Herbert Nyheim Hines Chuba Hubbard Kareem Hunt Keaontay Ingram Mark Ingram II Aaron Jones Ronald Jones II Tony Jones Jr. Joshua Kelley Marlon Mack Alexander Mattison Anthony McFarland Jr J.D. McKissic Sony Michel Elijah Mitchell Raheem Mostert Kene Nwangwu Isiah Pacheco Rashaad Penny Dameon Pierce Tony Pollard Brian Robinson Jr James Robinson Larry Rountree III Jaylen Samuels Miles Sanders Boston Scott Trey Sermon Abram Smith Benny Snell Jr. Isaiah Spiller Rhamondre Stevenson Pierre Strong Jr Ke'Shawn Vaughn Ken Walker III Jaylen Warren James White Rachaad White Damien Williams Javonte Williams Jeff Wilson Jr.

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