How will these 3 NFL backfields translate to fantasy?
Whether it’s due to injury or a crowded depth chart, there are three backfields that need to be explored as we head into the 2018 fantasy football season.
Each season, we try as fantasy football players to find the diamonds in the rough to bolster our rosters.
Then when the preseason rolls around, injuries occur and they can sometimes leave us with more questions than answers.
There were a few notable running back injuries that have made running back depth charts a bit more muddled and unclear as we head into draft season.
In addition to that, there were certain performances by running backs that would make you think twice about the pecking order.
Here, we’ll look at three teams with confusing backfields and make sense of them and try to lead you in the proper direction.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Heading into the preseason, it was said that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would use running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida in a Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman role, respectively.
Having previous success with Freeman and Coleman, Shanahan may have been on to something.
However, the injury bug struck in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, Breida suffered a shoulder injury but is expected to be back in time for Week 1.
It was originally reported that Breida would miss some time, though we were unsure of the severity.
McKinnon and Breida are currently going 10 rounds apart, with McKinnon going in the second and Breida in the 12th. In his career, McKinnon has carried the ball 20 times in a game just one time.
Dan Graziano of ESPN has also reported that we should not expect McKinnon to be the “bell cow running back.”
This should have never been expected as McKinnon has never had more than 202 touches in a season.
In his career, he’s also struggled as a runner. Granted, he could be valuable in PPR leagues with Shanahan, but there is a risk here despite the team paying him $30 million over four years.
Breida will have a role. Graziano also notes to not be surprised if Breida outscores McKinnon some weeks. That doesn’t sound too good.
Verdict: Don’t take the risk drafting McKinnon in the second round. Wait for Breida as a bench running back and let someone else take on the risk.