Week 2 Running Back Usage Report
Nick Mensio breaks down all 32 teams' backfield situations, identifying workhorses, committees, and situations to avoid in the Running Back Usage Report.
NFL depth charts are always changing, whether it’s due to injuries, coaching decisions, or performance-related issues. The running back position, in particular, can be tough to stay on top of throughout the season, as the vast majority of teams have gone with some sort of committee approach, featuring two and sometimes even three backs.
Below is a breakdown of each team’s backfield to help us determine offenses that are using a single workhorse, committees, and situations to avoid for fantasy. I’ll use this space each week to track the numbers and provide some thoughts.
All snap counts and touches are compiled from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference. Opportunities refers to the running back’s combined carries and targets.
(*) Denotes that player is injured or was injured that week.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Red-Zone Carries: Conner 3, Joshua Dobbs 1
Inside-the-Five Carries: Conner 2
Analysis: Only Christian McCaffrey (50), Tony Pollard (50), and Derrick Henry (47) have seen more opportunities than Conner’s 43 through two weeks. Conner was in positive game script for the entirety of Week 2. The Cardinals appear ready to ride Conner as far as he’ll take them offensively. He’s unlikely to see the amount of scoring chances he has in the past, but Conner has proven he can convert the ones he gets. Conner is a rock-solid, steady RB2.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Red-Zone Carries: Allgeier 8, Robinson 4, Desmond Ridder 2
Inside-the-Five Carries: Allgeier 3, Robinson 1
Analysis: The Falcons have settled on Robinson as the passing-game specialist with Allgeier getting most of the scoring looks at the goal line. In an offense that wants to run it as much, or more, than any other team, both Robinson and Allgeier are surefire fantasy starters. Robinson is the better bet for catches and big plays and leads the team with a 22% target share while Allgeier could pace the duo in money touches at the goal line. Atlanta has shown a willingness to put both backs on the field together.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Red-Zone Carries: Hill 7, Zay Flowers 2, Edwards 1, Lamar Jackson 1, Dobbins 1
Inside-the-Five Carries: Hill 3, Edwards 1, Dobbins 1
Analysis: Dobbins is done for the season after tearing his Achilles’ in the Week 1 opener. Hill made the Week 2 start and led the duo in snaps, opportunities, and routes, but Edwards did more with his carries, going 10/62/1 to Hill’s 11/41/0. Hill out-targeted Edwards 3 to 0. Both have RB3/FLEX appeal and should be owned everywhere.
BUFFALO BILLS
Red-Zone Carries: Murray 4, Harris 4, Josh Allen 3, Cook 2
Inside-the-Five Carries: Murray 2, Harris 2, Allen 1
Analysis: Cook looks locked in as an every-week, big-play fantasy RB2, though his overall TD upside is capped with Allen, Harris, and Murray getting the to-date scoring looks. And it even looks like Murray might be the preferred two-minute and hurry-up back thanks to his pass-blocking acumen. Cook has a wide range of weekly outcomes.