Shifts in NFL Running Back Trends

It’s becoming increasingly rare to see true bell cow running backs in the NFL.

Sure, we still have standout players like Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, and Josh Jacobs, but many coaches are now embracing strategies like load management and situational adaptations. Take the Lions, for example; their successful duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery has set a new standard. Similarly, teams like Seattle and Carolina, which were expected to lean heavily on their star backs, are opting for a more collaborative approach.

This evolving dynamic is changing the game, especially in fantasy football. It’s not just about filling positions anymore; it also opens up various options on the waiver wire.

In the lead-up to the drafts in August, a lot of buzz surrounded Chiefs running back Brashard Smith as a potential sleeper. With Isaiah Pacheco not quite delivering as Andy Reid had hoped, and Kareem Hunt evidently not hitting his peak, they entered the season with what seemed like a makeshift backfield, struggling to hit the usual rushing momentum of Reid’s offense. This inefficiency has created an opening for Smith.

Initially, Smith barely saw the field, averaging around 10 percent of the offensive snaps. However, after an early injury to Hunt in a recent game, Reid finally got the chance to unleash the 22-year-old rookie from SMU.

Smith ended up with a 35 percent snap share, racking up 14 carries and five targets, with a total of 81 yards gained from scrimmage. His performance was solid enough that even with Hunt’s return, Reid could stick with Smith.

Given Smith’s agility, he seems to possess more explosiveness than Hunt and could serve as a strong option during bye weeks.

Don’t overlook Tejay Spears from the Titans, either. He is still available in about 70 percent of leagues on ESPN and Yahoo. After a coaching change with Mike McCoy stepping in for Brian Callahan, the intended backfield duo of Spears and Tony Pollard appears to be intact, especially now that Spears is back to full health.

In a tough matchup against the Patriots’ stout run defense, Spears nearly split the carries evenly with Pollard and averaged 4.4 yards per carry, surpassing Pollard’s performance.

His role is evolving; he also caught three passes on four targets. While the Titans’ offensive line has its issues, they might turn to the running backs more often, especially with rookie quarterback Cam Ward facing challenges.

The road ahead looks tough for the Titans, and it’s likely that their performance will be a bit erratic. Still, if Spears can match Pollard’s output, he could be quite valuable in PPR leagues given his involvement in the passing game.

We all still yearn for that bell-cow running back on our fantasy rosters, but with six teams on bye as we approach Week 8, it’s clear we’ll need to get creative and lean on any help we can find.

While pursuing a dominant running back is wise, even if you miss out, these emerging tandems can help keep you competitive week to week.