The offseason can be an overflow of information that can be difficult to decipher. As training camp is right around the corner, here are nine storylines for the running back to watch for the fantasy fallout.
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Does the Cincinnati backfield produce a valuable running back?
Cincinnati traded Joe Mixon to Houston after signing Zack Moss to a two-year, $8mm contract. Moss joins 2023 5th-round pick Chase Brown in the Cincinnati backfield. Moss was the most productive stretch of his career in 2023 in Indianapolis when Jonathan Taylor was injured. Brown was a hyper-athletic back at the combine and managed an eye-popping 4.46 yards per route run in a small role as a receiver as a rookie. How the workshare unfolds will be important to monitor in the training camp.
What is Tennessee's plan at running back?
Tennessee let Derrick Henry leave in free agency. The team will move forward with 2023 third-round pick Tyjae Spears and 2024 free agent signee Tony Pollard. Both have similar size and style, while being valued similarly in offseason ADP. How their team will unfold is an open question.
Is Nick Chubb healthy?
Nick Chubb suffered a catastrophic knee injury in 2023 and had multiple offseason surgeries. There is a question about his readiness for the 2024 team, but the team spent little resources on reinforcing the position if Chubb is going to miss time. Jerome Ford is still in line to be the backup while the team signed veteran journeyman D'Onta Foreman. Chubb's status on PUP will be a watch, but the lack of investment in the backfield should be a good sign for the team's confidence in his return.
What is the split in Pittsburgh?
The Pittsburgh offense is in line for a major overhaul. The team moved on from offensive coordinator Matt Canada and brought in Arthur Smith, who ran an extremely run-heavy approach as Atlanta's head coach in 2022 and 2023. The team declined Najee Harris' fifth-year option, leaving him in the final year of his contract. He sat out the final days of minicamp, so his contract and health status should be monitored in training camp. The team also has Jaylen Warren, who they used interchangeably with Harris under the old regime. How the workshare is split should be an important monitor in training camp.
What is Denver's pecking order?
Early offseason vibes out of the Denver backfield indicate the team is looking for a change in the backfield after last season. There is a sense that Javonte Williams' status as the team is in question, while Samaje Perrine has a cuttable contract. There are positive reports out of the offseason on Jaleel McLaughlin, but what to expect from a running back less than 190 pounds is a question. Additionally, rookie Audric Estime had to undergo surgery on his knee after an injury in OTAs. The entire backfield is a question and will be one of the most important watches in the offseason.
Who is the Chargers' RB1?
The Chargers' recent moves raise some concerns. Letting Austin Ekeler walk in free agency was unexpected. They brought in Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, partnering him with Jim Harbaugh as head coach, which could work well given their track records. Roman, familiar with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards from Baltimore, brought them over as free agents, but Dobbins' injury history is worrisome. Drafting Kimani Vidal on day three adds another layer of uncertainty. While there's potential, the overall situation appears to have a low upside, making it hard to be overly optimistic.
How does the Dallas backfield settle?
The Dallas Cowboys backfield is one of the backfields with the least confidence in the league. They brought back Ezekiel Elliott in free agency, but after a down year in New England, his explosiveness seems to have vanished. The team let Tony Pollard exit in free agency, which adds to the worries and leaves Rico Dowdle as the tentative second running back, which doesn't inspire much confidence. The free agent market is limited at this time, but watch for the Cowboys to be in the cut or trade market late in the offseason.
Is Jonathan Brooks healthy?
The news of the draft season was that Jonathan Brooks would be ready to go for training camp after tearing his ACL at Texas in 2023. After being a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers, recent statements of head coach Dave Canales seem to put that readiness in doubt, saying, “Jonathan Brooks has a little bit of a ways to go. We'll progress [him] into camp.” Brooks being a slow starter would open an opportunity for Chuba Hubbard to start and may help to secure Miles Sanders' roster spot.
What is Seattle's backfield depth chart?
Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet shared the Seattle backfield in 2023. Walker was a 2022 second-round pick, so it was a surprise in 2023 when Seattle returned to the well and selected Charbonnet. Charbonnet is the more pass-centric option, but he was a three-down back in college. Walker is the more run-centric option and has never produced efficiently as a receiver. The team changed coaching staff and offensive coordinator this offseason, so there is a potential for a change in usage that could significantly impact the value of both players.
