10 most important running back questions in fantasy football with ETR's John Daigle

The analyst has washed Kamara out of his mind and genuinely doesn't think he'll be on the Saints roster in week one, though acknowledges he could be wrong.

Ashton Jeanty is highlighted as one of only three teams (49ers, Colts, Raiders) that left one running back on the field for at least 90% of snaps for at least a quarter of their games, demonstrating his workhorse role.

Knight exemplifies how a single injury can elevate an unknown running back into waiver-wire relevance and fantasy production.

Robinson improved in yards per carry, touches, and target share last year, posting 102 carries and increasing points per game from the prior year.

With Tyler Algier moving on, Robinson should see increased red zone opportunities after being out-carried by Algier inside the 5-yard line last year.

Bijan Robinson was RB17 in per-game points in a committee with Tyler Algier, demonstrating that high speed-score backs can still produce meaningful fantasy points even in shared backfields.

Blake Corum was the more explosive player in the second half of last season, led all running backs in success rate, and finished second only to Achane in his rate of 10-yard carries.

Breece Hall is mentioned as part of the 'dead zone' in round three running backs, though the analyst notes she could bounce back.

Brian Robinson is expected to be mistakenly drafted around pick 102 by someone in the league, confusing him with Bejon Robinson.

Brian Robinson is being drafted around pick 102 and represents exceptional value; the speaker successfully acquired him for $50 in an ESPN auction mockdraft, suggesting he is significantly underpriced relative to his actual draft position.

Brock Bowers is the preferred tight end option over Trey McBride in the analyst's draft strategy.

Bucky Irving is not worth his ADP as Tampa Bay has signaled they want to use a committee approach with Kenneth Gainwell handling pass-catching duties and Kenneth Gainwell at the goal line, limiting Irving's target share opportunities despite his undersized frame.

The analyst is confident the Cowboys offense will be 'a freaking wagon' this year, implying strong fantasy production for their skill position players.

Chase Brown is listed among the eight running backs in the RB5-RB12 tier expected to go in picks 11-18 (end of round one into mid-round two).

Chase Brown is mentioned as part of the RB5-RB12 tier (picks 11-18) in the 'Great Wall of RBs' expected to go from the end of round one into the mid part of round two.

Chris Rodriguez is present in the Texans backfield alongside Basha Tutin, but the team has not shown interest in adding additional running back depth, suggesting the backfield will be split between these two players.

Chris Rodriguez has a foot injury that is concerning and may be more serious than initially disclosed, potentially affecting his draft value.

Chris Rodriguez has a foot injury that is concerning and may be more serious than initially disclosed.

McCaffrey is a concern in the first round due to high touch volume (450 touches, 10th most of the 21st century), as only 15.7% of running backs with 350+ touches improved in PPG the following season, and the analyst prefers other players like Justin Jefferson.

John Daigle expresses concern about McCaffrey's workload sustainability, noting his 450 touches last season ranked only 10th most in the 21st century, and historically only 15.7% of RBs handling 350+ touches improved in PPG the following season.

Daigle states he would not draft McCaffrey in the first round, preferring other players in better situations, and compares the chase for McCaffrey to chasing George Pickens at inflated prices after last year's production.

John Daigle believes Ashton Genty has outs to outscore Christian McCaffrey this season, suggesting McCaffrey may not be the safest top-tier running back pick.

The analyst is fading Christian McCaffrey in the second round due to concerns about his situation.

Chuba Hubbard is compared to Corland Sutton as a player to avoid, and the analyst actively moves him down in their rankings rather than drafting him.

Colston Loveland is expected to be available in round four, allowing drafters to wait on tight end production.

The analyst is still deciding when and if to draft Colston Loveland in their draft strategy, indicating uncertainty about his role and timing.

Dak Prescott has been one of the most efficient passers in the league when healthy, though health has been a consistent struggle.

Dak has been one of the most efficient passers in the league when healthy, but health has been a consistent struggle for him.

David Montgomery is a strong value in the running back dead zone; the Texans' offseason moves (Ed Ingram, Trent Brown, Caleb Ruten) emphasize gap blocking schemes where Montgomery excels with 5.7 yards per carry, and the team's history of heavy usage (they traded for him and gave a 4th and 7th round pick) suggests he will be heavily featured.

Achane benefited from high target shares due to Tua Tagovailoa's limitations, but with Malik Willis replacing Tua as a rushing quarterback and Mike McDaniel being replaced, his target share and ceiling may not carry over, especially with a rushing QB taking away carries.

The analyst is scared about Devon Achane and plans to have zero of him in the second round because the Dolphins are replacing Tua Tagovailoa with rushing quarterback Malik Willis and losing Mike McDaniel, which removes the offensive advantages that inflated his target share.

The analyst will have zero shares of Achane in the second round due to concerns about his situation change with the new coaching staff and quarterback.

Derrick Henry is mentioned as being 'perfectly fine' and is listed among the RB5-RB12 tier running backs expected to go in picks 11-18 (end of round one into mid-round two).

Derrick Henry is mentioned as part of the RB5-RB12 tier (picks 11-18) in the 'Great Wall of RBs' expected to go from the end of round one into the mid part of round two.

Neil exemplifies how late-round or waiver-wire running backs can be starting options on championship teams, demonstrating the depth available at the position.

In the second half of the season, Dotson had a double-digit target share and was breaking tackles at a terrific rate, though he was getting crushed behind the line of scrimmage at a league-high rate due to a terrible offensive line.

Jadarian Price is a fade at his current ADP due to his small collegiate workload (295 touches, 4 fumbles, 15 career catches) and inability to earn targets even when playing, ranking second to last in target per route run among his class despite being projected for 18 touches per game.

James Cook is listed among the eight running backs in the RB5-RB12 tier expected to go in picks 11-18 (end of round one into mid-round two).

James Cook is mentioned as part of the RB5-RB12 tier (picks 11-18) in the 'Great Wall of RBs' expected to go from the end of round one into the mid part of round two.

Jahmonte Williams is mentioned as a veteran running back in a great offense who shouldn't be surprising as an RB1 finisher, though there's a reason he's not ranked that way.

Despite the Cardinals' tough schedule and rebuilding situation, Love has a speed score of 110+ like Gibbs, Barkley, and ETN—the last first-round RBs with that metric—and could emerge as a top-12 running back even in a committee with Tyler Algier.

Love is being reconsidered as a round three option rather than a round two pick, offering explosive potential that could allow drafters to focus on wide receiver depth later.

Jonah Coleman has an elite resume with 6.8 yards per carry at age 20, 80 catches on 90 targets in his last three years, and second-best yards per route run in his class, and is expected to take over the Broncos backfield quicker than other backup options.

Taylor is a concern despite being consensus RB3/RB4, as he has a history of early-season injuries and the analyst is skeptical of his first-round value.

Daigle expresses concern about Jonathan Taylor's consistency, noting that through week 8 with Daniel Jones healthy, Taylor was RB1 with 27 PPR points per game, but fell to RB9 averaging 11 fewer points per game in the second half when Jones was injured.

Through week eight with Daniel Jones healthy, the Colts were first in EPA per play and Taylor was the overall RB1 ahead of McCaffrey with 27 PPR points per game.

Daigle is concerned that Jonathan Taylor has never achieved a double-digit target share in any season, which he identifies as necessary to finish as an overall RB1.

The co-host argues that Taylor's newfound pass-game floor may be underestimated, noting he had career-high fantasy numbers from receiving last year and the Colts no longer have Naim Hines to compete with him.

Daigle states he will not be taking Jonathan Taylor in his home leagues given his ADP and the availability of other RBs he prefers in the next tier.

John Daigle prefers Ashton Genty over Jonathan Taylor, suggesting there are better values in the running back tier.

Jonathan Taylor's ADP should be flipped with Saquon Barkley's, suggesting Taylor is overvalued relative to Barkley at current draft prices.

Jonathan Brooks is at a significant discount compared to Chuba Hubbard despite not playing in two years, and represents a better value dart pick given Hubbard's inability to beat out Rico Dael.

Jonathan Brooks is going outside the top 120 on Sleeper and ESPN and is expected to be the biggest riser in FFPC drafts as the summer progresses, representing significant value.

Josh Allen is expected to be off the board by round three in typical draft scenarios.

Josh Jacobs is mentioned as a veteran running back in a great offense who shouldn't be surprising as an RB1 finisher, though there's a reason he's not ranked that way.

Kenneth Walker is listed among the eight running backs in the RB5-RB12 tier expected to go in picks 11-18 (end of round one into mid-round two).

Kenneth Walker is mentioned as part of the RB5-RB12 tier (picks 11-18) in the 'Great Wall of RBs' expected to go from the end of round one into the mid part of round two.

The analyst is out on a Kyron Williams committee given Sean McVay's historical reliance on one running back was broken last season, with the touch share dropping significantly.

Before the Rams bye, Williams averaged 18.2 touches per game with a 74% touch share, but afterwards dropped to 16.9 touches per game with a 60% touch share, indicating a shift to a committee approach that benefited Blake Corum.

Luther Burden is expected to compete to be a top 12 wide receiver but is not being drafted as one, representing value in rounds three through eight.

Malik Willis has the single highest scramble rate in the league over the last two seasons in terms of times taken off per drop back, which differs significantly from Tua Tagovailoa's bottom-five scramble rate.

Mike Evans is expected to compete to be a top 12 wide receiver but is not being drafted as one, representing value in rounds three through eight.

Nicholas Singleton is expected to be the pass-catching back for the Eagles and has elite pass-catching credentials from Penn State with a double-digit target share in his last two seasons and 1.5 yards per route run.

Harvey exemplifies how late-round or waiver-wire running backs can be starting options on championship teams, with potential to net championships in the final month.

RJ Harvey has poor efficiency metrics and was ranked as an RB41, indicating the analyst does not see the upside in him and prefers Jonah Coleman as the Broncos' future back.

Barkley is cited as a cautionary example of a high-touch RB who declined significantly the following season, handling 480+ touches in 2024 but losing 7.7 PPG and finishing as RB15 despite being drafted in the first round.

Barkley handled 480+ touches in 2024 but lost 7.7 points per game, finishing as RB15 despite being drafted in the first round, illustrating the risk of high-volume running backs declining in production.

Saquon Barkley is listed among the eight running backs in the RB5-RB12 tier expected to go in picks 11-18 (end of round one into mid-round two).

Saquon Barkley is mentioned as part of the RB5-RB12 tier (picks 11-18) in the 'Great Wall of RBs' expected to go from the end of round one into the mid part of round two.

Barkley's ADP should be flipped with Jonathan Taylor's this year; a top three to top four running back finish is very plausible with the Eagles' improved offensive situation under new coordinator Sean Manion.

The Eagles' new offensive coordinator Sean Manion, coming from the Rams, appears open-minded to a far more progressive offense that won't limit the Eagles' most talented players like Barkley.

Saquon Barkley is cited as one of the last first-round running backs with a speed score of 110+, used as a comparable for Jeremiah Love's potential.

Saquon Barkley is a running back the analyst plans to jam up his home league boards early, suggesting he represents value.

Tony Pollard is not the pass-catching back for the Eagles; Nicholas Singleton is expected to fill that role, limiting Pollard's ceiling.

ETN is being considered as a potential round three pick who can be the only running back involved in the Jaguars offense, allowing flexibility to target wide receiver depth.

The analyst will not be drafting Trey McBride again, preferring Brock Bowers instead.

Marks exemplifies how late-round or waiver-wire running backs can be starting options on championship teams, with potential to net championships in the final month.

Zay Flowers is expected to compete to be a top 12 wide receiver but is not being drafted as one, representing value in rounds three through eight.