Fantasy Index

Fantasy News

Goal-line rushing

Williams leads way in rushing attempts around the end zone

Jamaal Williams is having himself a season, is he not? A league-high 14 touchdowns for a running back who’s started only half of Detroit’s games.

It’s around the goal line where Williams does his most notable work. They’ve got a good offensive line, and they like to emphasize the run in that part of the field. He’s a more durable, power-oriented runner than teammate D’Andre Swift.

After 13 weeks, Williams inside the 5-yard line has carried the ball 10 more times than Joe Mixon and over twice as many times as every other running back in the league. That’s including official carries and also 2-point conversions.

MOST CARRIES INSIDE 5-YARD LINE
PlayerAttYardsAvgEZ
Jamaal Williams, Det.25321.312
• Jalen Hurts, Phil.1811.68
Joe Mixon, Cin.15181.25
Nick Chubb, Cle.12131.17
Dalvin Cook, Min.11151.45
Saquon Barkley, NYG11191.76
Miles Sanders, Phil.11232.16
Derrick Henry, Ten.11151.48
Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.10141.46
Leonard Fournette, T.B.10141.43
Devin Singletary, Buff.9171.94
Christian McCaffrey, Car.-S.F.9101.13
• Justin Fields, Chi.9202.25
Jonathan Taylor, Ind.98.93
Travis Etienne, Jac.98.94
Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E.94.42
Antonio Gibson, Was.93.33
Khalil Herbert, Chi.87.92
• Joe Burrow, Cin.8151.94
Melvin Gordon, Den.891.12
Josh Jacobs, LAR86.83
Jeff Wilson, S.F.-Mia.84.52
James Conner, Ari.7101.43
• Kyler Murray, Ari.781.14
Dameon Pierce, Hou.7-5-.72
Isiah Pacheco, K.C.791.32
Breece Hall, NYJ771.02
Najee Harris, Pitt.7121.72
Tony Pollard, Dall.661.02
Cordarrelle Patterson, Atl.5122.43
• Josh Allen, Buff.591.83
D'Onta Foreman, Car.5122.43
Kareem Hunt, Cle.571.42
D'Andre Swift, Det.54.83
James Robinson, Jac.51.20
Jerick McKinnon, K.C.51.20
Kenneth Walker, Sea.54.82

—Ian Allan

4 Reader Comments:

Don McCown

Port Washington, WI
2022-12-09T19:34:03Z
Ian,

Great column; wasn't aware of such the disparity between Jamaal & the rest of the league's backs. This discussion of Jamaal prompted me to not only comment on the article but ask you about Jamaal a bit more closely. Reviewed Wednesday's "Weekly" & I'll obviously review tonight's update.

Being playoff bound this weekend, is Jamaal the clear-cut choice at my FLEX spot (standard ESPN scoring) out of he, Najee & Travis Homer? (providing of course, my other rostered backs are my current 2 starters - Pollard & Foreman).

Thanks much, Ian - I'm only in the playoffs because of yours and Andy's consistent and stellar content.

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2022-12-09T21:15:40Z
I'm just starting to adjust numbers now, but on Wednesday I had Williams grade at 8.8 points. Najee was a 9.1 and Homer was at 8.4 (if Walker is ruled out and if Homer is healthy). Numbers on Wednesday suggested you would be starting Najee Harris. I like Foreman a lot, considering how he's been playing and Seattle's woes against the run.

David Weissmiller

Mount Carroll, IL
2022-12-10T02:25:37Z
I assume Stephenson is for the Patriots. Those are not very good numbers. What did Harris do inside the 5 last year?

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2022-12-10T03:15:21Z
I don't know that comparing 2021 Damien Harris to 2022 Rhamondre Stevenson is super meaningful. Different teams. In 2021, Harris was 11 of 12 when the team needed a year. Stevenson that year was 4 of 4. This year, Stevenson is 4 of 7, while Harris hasn't had one of those carries. (And when I say 4 of 7, I mean there were 7 times that they handed him the ball, needing a yard, and he got at least a yard on only 4 of the 7 carries.)
Sign in to add a comment

Fantasy Index