With five weeks to go in many dynasty fantasy football league regular seasons, plenty of team directions are already declared - in the playoffs and fighting for positioning or out of the playoffs and shifting their sights to 2023. This week will focus on the running back position and how different players fit different team directions:
STACK RUNNING BACKS
The term stack is to bolster contending team rosters. These backs can benefit from an injury in front of them in a clear fashion and be a fantasy starter in a given week down the stretch. They are generally ordered by the depth of the league with the top names available in more shallow leagues where venturing low on the list will be required for deeper formats. As trading is largely still open, these are perfect add-ons to bigger trades.
- Samaje Perine: The Bengals have one of the higher HLO scores for running backs, and Perine is the clear RB2. Perine has league-winning upside if the perfect timing of a Joe Mixon injury occurs late this season.
- Jaylen Warren: Coming out of the bye, there is a buzz for a bigger role for Warren, but the most likely outcome with Warren this season is needing a Najee Harris injury to find fantasy lineups.
- Matt Breida: Available in too many dynasty leagues, Breida is the clear Saquon Barkley-attached RB2 and a likely defined starter if Barkley misses time.
- Dontrell Hilliard: Derrick Henry is the engine of the Tennessee offense, and Hassan Haskins has yet to challenge Hilliard for the RB2 role.
- Travis Homer: Rashaad Penny is out for the season, and Homer has the edge over DeeJay Dallas for the RB2 role behind Kenneth Walker.
STASH RUNNING BACKS
These are preferred options for non-contending dynasty rosters. While some of them have avenues to turn into a producer this season, their talent, contract status, depth chart, etc., point to a situational change - or the possibility of change - in the offseason. Taking a few lottery tickets with good enough talent can turn into a player you keep through NFL Free Agency and the NFL Draft instead of easily cutting early in the offseason.
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