Backfield Clarity for ALL 32 Teams: NFC West
- Sep 2, 2018
- 4 min read
It’s 2018. If you’re reading this, you probably thought that by now there would be a reliable method to predict backfields, and yet, there’s arguably more uncertainty than ever. Luckily, this series of articles will “do the dirty work” and take a dive into each team’s backfield, providing you with the insider information you need to dominate your fantasy league.
Previous Articles:
NFC West
49ers
Set to be the lead back in San Francisco, newly acquired Jerick McKinnon was set to finally put up a breakout fantasy season. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in practice this week and will miss the entire 2018 season. Alfred Morris should be the next man up due to his efficiency in the preseason and his previous experience as a starter. Although he will likely be the starter, this backfield will be a committee with Breida and Morris both getting playing time. Both are deserving of a roster spot and Breida is more valuable than Morris in PPR. Their current ADPs have them going around RB50. They should both be expected to fall outside of the top 30 RB unless one of them were to go down with an injury.
1. Alfred Morris (ADP 138)- Worth a bench spot
2. Matt Breida (ADP 147)- Worth a bench spot
Rams
Todd Gurley was owned by 65.1% of fantasy teams that qualified for the playoffs and 47.1% of fantasy championship teams last season. Simply put, Gurley carried fantasy teams to the playoffs with his consistency throughout the regular season, and then single-handedly won owners championships by putting up 25.5, 42, and 39.6 fantasy points in weeks 14, 15, and 16, respectively. Totaling over 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns in 15 games played (sat out week 17 as a result of clinched playoff birth), he was the definition of a 3-down, bell-cow back. Although he is a candidate to see a regression in touchdowns, his yardage totals make him one of the safest possible investments for fantasy owners. He is a lock to be a top 5 overall fantasy performer in 2018.
1. Todd Gurley (ADP 2)- Elite RB1
2. Malcolm Brown (Undrafted)- Handcuff
Seahawks The Seahawks may have more uncertainty at running back compared to their NFC West counterparts, but even they have reason to believe that the position could prove to be a major strength this season. The team used their first round pick to acquire Rashaad Penny, who was the first running back to be drafted in the first round by the franchise since the legendary Shaun Alexander in 2000. This alone is telling of how much they believe in his abilities and potential. Despite the fact that the Seahawks do not have a running back on their roster with over 210 career rushing yards and Penny is coming off a senior season in which he lead the NCAA in rushing, it is has been Chris Carson who has been given a majority of the first team reps at training camp. To make things worse for Penny, he is now expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks with a broken finger. That timetable could put his week one status in jeopardy. Meanwhile, this injury should give Carson enough of an opportunity to steal the starting RB role when the season starts. CJ Procise will likely see work in passing situations, but he has dealt with injuries throughout his career. He has only been able to suit up for 11 games over the past two seasons due to injury. Given that Chris Carson is owned in just 7.7% of leagues, he could be the steal of the summer!
1. Chris Carson (ADP 86)- RB2 with sky-high upside
2. Rashaad Penny (ADP 53)- Low end RB3 with questionable role
3. CJ Prosise (Undrafted)- Worth a bench spot, especially in PPR
Cardinals
After a 2016 season in which David Johnson took the league by storm with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns, he was sidelined for all but one game of the 2017 season due to a wrist injury. Given that Johnson suffered a wrist injury and not a leg injury, there is no doubt that he will be able to return to his 2016 form in which he finished as the #1 ranked running back with a gaudy 327 fantasy points in standard leagues. Further evidence pointing towards a bounce-back year is the fact that the injury occurred in the first game of the season, so he has had ample time for a full recovery. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Johnson is “100 percent healthy” and “stronger than he’s ever been.” With a stout offensive line in front of him, Johnson will set out to achieve his goal of 1,000 rushing and receiving yards that he fell just 121 receiving yards short of in 2016.
1. David Johnson (ADP 5)- Elite RB1
2. Elijhaa Penny (Undrafted)- Handcuff
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