We had become accustomed to Matt Forte. Forte had been an everpresent in the Chicago Bears backfield since 2008.
From 2008 to 2015, Forte started 16 games five times, 15 games once, 13 games once and 12 games once. He has been one of the most durable backs in the NFL despite carrying one of the heaviest loads in the NFL. Forte was a refined runner and explosive receiver who could line up anywhere on the field to be effective. Now he plays for the New York Jets. While Forte is an attractive piece in Chan Gailey's offense, his absence has left a void that needs to be filled in Chicago.
Entering the preseason it looked like the Bears would rely on a combination of backs to compensate for Forte's loss. Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey were the top billed duo, with Jacquizz Rodgers offering value as a receiving back and proven veteran. Jordan Howard became very popular in offseason drafts as the upside rookie.
Since the preseason began, it's been clear that Langford will be the Bears' feature back this year. Langford has 18 carries through three preseason games. Those 18 carries have resulted in 79 yards and one touchdown with two receptions for 11 yards also thrown in. All of his touches have come with the first team offense as he has almost exclusively been used when Jay Cutler has been on the field. This became most apparent in the second week of preseason when Langford ran eight times for 55 yards an a touchdown agianst the New England Patriots.
Langford has been a controversial figure in fantasy circles. His projected workload made him a relatively high pick in drafts over the past month or so, but his individuall quality has been questioned from those who prefer film analysis to those who prefer stat analysis. Langford is both popular and unpopular at the same time.
There have been strong signs recently that his individual ability is being under-appreciated.
This play from that Patriots game highlights Langford's pre-line of scrimmage work.
Langford is directed towards the right side of the line but is immediately forced to adjust because his right tackle has been pushed back two yards behind the line of scrimmage. The defensive end, Chris Long, is showing good hand usage and discipline to not give Langford an immediate path. Langford has to respond by chopping his feet for a split second before pushing upfield. Chopping his feet to hesitate like he did was crucial to allow the blocking ahead of him to develop.
Although he initially wanted to run behind his left guard who was moving laterally in front of him, Langford recognized that the defensive tackle was going to be in his face if he did so. To avoid the defender he angled back towards the outside and followed his left guard through a hole that didn't appear to be there initially.
The left guard on this play failed to engage the defensive tackle and the defensive tackle decided to work against the grain of the play. That put Langford in a difficult position. Even though he didn't break a tackle and he only gained three yards total, this play should be comforting to Langford owners. It shows off poise and awareness, not to mention footwork and patience. Each of those traits are critical for sustaining consistency.
In this game, Langford had his ideal performance from a fantasy perspective.
Quantity is going to be a big factor for Langford's outlook. He doesn't project as a pass catcher so he will need to primarily produce as a runner. He needs to eclipse 260 carries to justify his ADP at the end of the sixth round. If 260 carries is his floor, Langford has to stay on the field for early downs. You can only do that if you take care of the football and make disciplined, nuanced runs like the one above.
Three-yard runs that don't end in touchdowns won't make you fantasy relevant. Fortunately, Langford also got opportunities in this game to show off the two elements of his projection that will.
34 of Langford's 55 yards against the Patriots came on one play. It was a play where he wasn't asked to work to get to the second level.
The Bears offensive line created a wide open running lane that was essentially right in front of his eyes. He had to make a small cut upfield but it was a cut upfield he would have been slated for if he missed rather than one he should be celebrated for because he found it. On the second level, Langford was given even more space because the Bears latched bodies onto Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins. This put Langford in a one-on-one situation with free safety Devin McCourty.
McCourty is one of the best safeties in the NFL. His run support isn't the reason he is celebrated but he's far from a liability in these situations. McCourty has great range to close on the ball whether he is playing coverage or in pursuit. What Langford does to beat him is very intelligent. He doesn't press the play to the outside as soon as he is confronted by McCourty. Instead he squares off with the safety, using his shoulders and a head fake that causes the safety to brace for a tackle attempt.
Once McCourty stops his feet he has no chance of ccatching Langford when he turns towards the sideline. Again, Langford doesn't break a tackle but he still extended the play further than it should have gone.
He was unfortunate not to run in this play for a touchdown but he wouldn't have to wait long to cap off the drive. Little things are often important to note at this time of the year. After running 34 yards downfield, neither team took a timeout and the quarter didn't hit 00:00. This means that there was no break in play between Langford's long run and the play that immediately followed. Despite ripping off that long run, Langford stayed in the game.
Two things about this are notable. Firstly, Langford showed off the stamina to stay on the field. Often when backs break off big runs they immediately ask out so they have an opportunity to catch their breath. Langford didn't need that opportunity, he was ready to run immediately. Secondly, Langford got a goalline carry. If Langford is going to be the Bears preferred option at the goalline, his value will only rise.
Of course, that doesn't even consider that his touchdown run on its own was very impressive.
This play was described as Langford running through a huge hole on the broadcast. Analyzing plays as they happen is an extremely difficult job and while it's true that Langford found space on the second level, it wasn't space that was simply given to him. The running back had to recognize the penetration on the front side of the play to cutback as soon as he got the ball from his quarterback. Langford's quickness—both mentally and physicaly—really stood out on this play.
Whenever you can elude tackles completely instead of putting yourself in position to break them it is a positive. Langford has shown off that kind of ability during the preseason, both in open space and in tight situations behind the line of scrimmage.
The Bears look set to run a lot of inside zone this year. With Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long on the interior of their offensive line, they have two very athletic guards. Even with effective blocking from those two, the Bears will need Langford to be consistent in making reads and planting his feet with good timing to cut upfield. His touchdown run here is the type of run that the offense will hope for from their running back.
Against the Chiefs in the third preseason game, Langford rushed six times for just 17 yards. His struggles were primarily a result of the offensive line ahead of him failing to execute, trapping the running back with nowhere to go. He did have one highlight play where he stiff-armed Derrick Johnson to the ground on a toss to convert a Third-and-2. Langford's speed on these types of runs is very valuable.
Langford doesn't break enough tackles. Even with his ability to evade defenders completely and accelerate away from them, it's a big issue for him. He needs to run with more violence against contact and show the leg drive to pull defenders with him instead of being so submissive to the aggression of the defenders he faces.
With his expected workload, imbalanced skill set and inconsistent offensive line, Langford should finish the season as a top 25 running back but his production on a weekly basis will make him more difficult to project. In best-ball leagues Langford will be more valuable than some of his peers because his peaks will be higher. At the very least Langford is one of the few backs in the league who appears to have the full commitment of his coaching staff to be used as a workhorse back. Health should be the only thing stopping him from reaching 300 carries or more.