Chase Brown, De'Von Achane, and James Cook. All three are explosive. All three play in dynamic offenses. And all three have excellent quarterbacks. Who offers the most league-winning upside this month?
Welcome to Week 14 of the 2024 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Hot Fantasy Players, Narrative or Substance?
- Playoff Bench Stashes
- Potential League-Winning RBs (see below)
- Dynasty WR Value Check
Let's roll.
Potential League-Winning RBs
Matt Waldman: These three backs are similar in style -- at least on a superficial level.
Pick the one with the highest ceiling who can dominate the fantasy playoffs.
Ryan Weisse: Now that Tua Tagovailoa is back, De'Von Achane is a league-winning piece. In eight games with Tagovailoa, Achane is averaging almost 23 fantasy points per game and is the second-best back in fantasy.
On top of having far more touchdown upside, Achane is also a PPR threat with Tagovailoa. In those eight games played with his starting quarterback, Achane averages six receptions per game, scoring six more touchdowns through the air.
As long as Tagovailoa is healthy, De'Von Achane has a safe floor and an excellent ceiling.
Joseph Haggan: I love Cook and Achane, but Chase Brown has been a focal point of a Bengals offense trying to keep pace with teams since their defense has continually let down Joe Burrow.
I would love to see Brown score more touchdowns, but his volume over the past four games has been consistent and impressive. He has averaged 18.5 rushing attempts at 4.29 yards per attempt (79.35 yards per game) with 6.5 targets, 5.5 receptions, and 44 receiving yards during that span.
Brown has added three touchdowns in his last four games, showing more red-zone usage. He is averaging 123 total yards on 24 touches over the previous four games. I would be delighted with that volume.
Corey Spala: All three running backs have a bottom-10 playoff strength of schedule. When looking at running back points from receiving production, James Cook and De'Von Achane have the first and second hardest schedules. Chase Brown has the 11th favorable matchup.
For this reason, I believe Brown has the highest ceiling. Brown's workload is consistent, and he has been averaging 19.9 opportunities per game (OPG) and 17.8 points per game (PPG) since week four. De'Von Achane (16.9 OPG, 16.7 PPG), and James Cook (16.6 OPG, 15.9 PPG) average lower totals.
Jeff Haseley: None of these players have a great rushing schedule, but if I had to choose one to be a consistent piece on my playoff roster, I'd say De'Von Achane due to his receiving numbers. He has 57 receptions, which is second for running backs behind Alvin Kamara's 59.
Even if Achane has a lackluster rushing game, he can still produce with 7 catches for 50 yards. He also has 6 receiving touchdowns, which is the most of any running back. At 5-7, Miami is on the outside of the AFC Wild Card picture, but as long as they are alive they will continue to compete, and that helps Achane.
Andy Hicks: As Jeff and Corey pointed out, none of these guys have great playoff schedules. But the one who has the best out of three is Chase Brown. All three teams have excellent offenses that should run the ball well in December, but Brown is the only player who doesn't have to share a backfield.
James Cook is ceding significant playing time to Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, while De'Von Achane has Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright. While playing time isn't everything, the Bengals score (and concede) points at will. Brown is performing like an elite back and is the player I would back in this scenario.
Phil Alexander: In terms of which of these three players will help you win more fantasy matchups, the answer has to be Chase Brown. Achane and Cook might outscore Brown down the stretch. Both of those guys are RB1s you drafted back in August to be your RB1. They're providing you with the production you paid for, which is great but won't necessarily give your team a weekly edge over your opponent's best running back.
Brown was drafted as a low-end RB3 and now provides the same production as Cook and Achane (or better). Getting weekly RB1 numbers from your RB2 gains you a massive positional advantage over your opponents. When we look back on the most-rostered players from 2024 championship teams, it would be shocking if Brown's name wasn't near the top of the list.
Waldman: Thanks for reading. Check out the links below for all of this week's roundtable topics:
- Hot Fantasy Players, Narrative or Substance?
- Playoff Bench Stashes
- Potential League-Winning RBs
- Dynasty WR Value Check
Good luck!