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The 2023 season will provide answers to some of the biggest questions in fantasy football. Nine teams are defined by their running back questions.
How does Seattle deploy their running backs?
Kenneth Walker had a breakout rookie season and looked poised to take on the long-term lead role in the backfield after Rashaad Penny departed in free agency. However, the team drafted Zach Charbonnet in the second round of April's draft, which creates an ambiguous situation in the backfield. Walker and Charbonnet have both been banged up during camp but should be ready for week one. How they split the backfield will be a major storyline to watch in 2023.
Can James Cook capitalize in the Buffalo backfield?
James Cook was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft but played a reserve role behind Devin Singletary as a rookie. The team let Singletary walk in free agency and added Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, but neither threaten Cook's initial opportunity as the starter. Singletary significantly underproduced his route volume in the passing game, a place where Cook could immediately capitalize in 2023. His role in both the passing and run game creates an Aaron Jones-type range of outcomes a possibility in a high-powered offense.
Is the Philadelphia backfield valuable?
Philadelphia let Miles Sanders walk in free agency and then replaced him in free agency with Rashaad Penny and traded for D'Andre Swift. Incumbents Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott are still on the roster and can compete for a role in the offense. While there is excitement about Penny and Swift, the team's backfield is less productive than appreciated, ranking 24th in expected running back points in 2022. The team has a low running back route participation and deploys Jalen Hurts near the goal line, leaving the backfield without critical scoring opportunities. Ultimately, a running back will need to consolidate a role, and the offense will need to turn more favorable for any of the running backs to provide long-term value.
What is Jonathan Taylor's future in Indianapolis?
Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts are in a standoff over Taylor's extension. Taylor is officially on the PUP list, but there have been threats by Indianapolis to move him to the NFI list so they can potentially withhold his salary. The situation does not seem close to resolving itself and Indianapolis is publicly refusing to engage in contract and trade negotiations. The situation warrants monitoring throughout the rest of the offseason and could linger into the regular season.