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Fantasy Football Strategy: 4 crowded backfields to avoid

By Dominic Cintorino

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 16: New England Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead (34), Sony Michel (26), and James White (28) participate in New England Patriots practice at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 16, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 16: New England Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead (34), Sony Michel (26), and James White (28) participate in New England Patriots practice at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 16, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 30: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 30: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Fantasy Football Strategy: 4 Crowded Backfields to Avoid

Baltimore Ravens

Current Depth Chart:

Over the past few years, the Ravens’ running backs have not been all that impressive. In terms of Fantasy Football scoring, the Ravens have not produced a Top 20 running back since Jusin Forsett in 2014. Last season, the assumption was that Alex Collins was going to take the backfield by storm as his ADP had him being selected at the back end of the 2nd round (RB15). A lingering foot injury allowed Collins to play just 10 games, in which he averaged barely over 9 fantasy points per game.

Gus Edwards was the bright spot last year of all Ravens running backs. He ended the season strong, averaging 17 carries per game from weeks 11-17. In that span, Edwards had three games over 100 rushing yards while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Even with this impressive showing, this type of volume will not be available with the Ravens current backfield situation. Edwards is going undrafted due to the lack of work available.

This past off-season, the Ravens brought in Mark Ingram from New Orleans on a three year deal. Ingram should take over as the lead running back in this offense, and is being drafted as such. His current ADP on FantasyData is 36.4, which makes him the RB21.

Following Ingram’s signing, the Ravens went ahead and selected Justice Hill out of Oklahoma State in the 4th round. Hill displayed his freakish athletic ability at the NFL combine. He posted the best 40 time, vertical, and broad jump among all running backs. Hill’s current ADP has him being drafted at the back end of the 12th round as the RB53. This is a fair spot for the rookie who could see his role expand. Kenneth Dixon’s roster spot is up in the air. If he does make the 53-man roster as the Ravens fourth running back, he shouldn’t be much of a factor in the offense.

Though Mark Ingram is expected to lead the way in touches, Gus Edwards would step in as his replacement if anything were to happen. Justice Hill should see some work in the passing game. All three running backs will be fighting for work, making the touch distribution in the Ravens backfield difficult to predict.

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