Fantasy Football 2018: 3 Backup Running Backs Worth Adding

Whether it’s injury or poor production, there aren’t as many reliable running backs in fantasy football. Here are three backups to add before it’s too late.

This year more than any, the running back position is volatile for fantasy football owners. Not as bad as tight end, but it’s getting there. You know it’s bad when Adrian Peterson, who was on bye in Week 4, is still a top-20 running back in PPR leagues. If you want to get a jump on a team’s next starting back or handcuffing your current starter, here are three backups worth adding.

Guys like Giovani Bernard and T.J. Yeldon are already snagged due to their teammates’ injuries. Joe Mixon is likely going to miss Week 5 and Leonard Fournette left his Week 4 game aggravating his hamstring.

There were a couple of other running backs dealing with minor injuries that are worth keeping an eye on throughout the rest of the week. With Chicago and Tampa Bay on bye in Week 5, teams will need to find someone on the waiver wire.

Before we get into the top three running backs, here are a couple of honorable mentions. Ronald Jones (TB), Ito Smith (ATL).

Nick Chubb, CLE

All three Cleveland running backs performed well in Week 4. Carlos Hyde scored 14 PPR points and Duke Johnson had 13 but it was Chubb who scored 24 points. He carried the ball just three times but racked up 105 yards and two touchdowns.

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The Browns offense looks to be on the rise with Baker Mayfield under center but the team’s success will be controlling the clock and running the ball.

Hyde is still the top back and Johnson is the pass catcher but Chubb will get his chances and make the most of them. If Hyde goes down with an injury, it’s Chubb’s job.

Mike Davis, SEA

The Seattle offense has been a bit stagnant four weeks into the season. The team hasn’t found a true starting running back. Rashaad Penny has been an afterthought. Chris Carson had a good Week 3 but sat out this week.

Davis got most of the work as he racked up 101 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He also caught four passes for 23 yards.

However, Carson is expected to take back the starting job once healthy. Davis will “fit in” as Pete Carroll said. Fantasy owners obviously don’t like the committee approach but Davis will get some touches. Owners may be waiting for a Carson injury to get more production, though.

Nyheim Hines, IND

This one is a bit of reach. The Indianapolis Colts have had just one 1,000-yard rusher in the previous seven seasons, Frank Gore in 2016. Gore did come close in 2015 and 2017, too.

The passing game flows through Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton, which helps as the Colts are likely to be behind in many games this season. This boosts Hines’ value as he is the Colts’ passing-catching back.

Hines had nine catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. He has 22 catches on the season, first on the team. He has a lot of value in PPR leagues.

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With many leagues going with PPR scoring and not many consistent options, you may only need to start two running backs any given week. This limits the number of players rostered. However, in deeper league formats, you’re likely scraping the bottom of the barrel. These three players should give you depth on your bench,

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