Fantasy Index

Factoid

Backup running backs

Unheralded runners will account for plenty of big games

Backup running backs, I think, tend to be underrated. If you look at the standout games from last year, a large percentage of those games are put together by guys who were either lightly drafted or not even selected at all.

Suppose, for example, you use 100-yard games as a measuring stick. Last year there were 97 of these games by running backs. But 24 of those were achieved by off-the-radar type backs – either selected late in a typical fantasy league or not even selected at all.

Think Jordan Todman, Bobby Rainey and Zac Stacy. (Stacy had a great year, but back in August, Daryl Richardson seemed to be firmly entrenched at the starting tailback in St. Louis.)

This is one reason in fantasy leagues that I tend to collect a small group of reliable, butt-kicking wide receivers. If you can obtain talent at that position, it allows you to carry fewer of them, giving you a better chance of tapping into the talent that’s certain to emerge at running back.

UNHERALDED RUNNING BACKS RUNNING FOR 100 YARDS
WkPlayerOppAttYardsAvgTD
3Bilal Powell vs. BUF271495.50
3Johnathan Franklin at CIN131037.91
6Brandon Jacobs at CHI221064.82
8Andre Ellington vs. ATL1515410.31
8Zac Stacy vs. SEA261345.20
9Mike James at SEA281585.60
9Rashad Jennings vs. PHI151026.81
9Zac Stacy vs. TEN271274.72
10Andre Brown vs. OAK301153.81
11Bobby Rainey vs. ATL301635.42
11Rashad Jennings at HOU221506.81
12Andre Brown vs. DAL211276.00
12Benny Cunningham vs. CHI131098.41
13Ben Tate vs. NE221024.63
14Bobby Rainey vs. BUF221275.81
14Daniel Thomas at PIT161056.61
14Marcel Reece at NYJ191236.51
15Jordan Todman vs. BUF251094.40
15Zac Stacy vs. NO281334.81
16Bryce Brown vs. CHI911512.81
16Zac Stacy vs. TB331043.21
17LeGarrette Blount vs. BUF241897.92
17Matt Asiata vs. DET141158.20
19LeGarrette Blount vs. IND241666.94

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index