The 5 Most Influential Running Back Position Battles for Fantasy Football

Here are the most influential running back position battles for the 2018 fantasy football season. When training camp and preseason games end, the winners of these position battles could be geared up for serious fantasy seasons. With most of these competitions, the question is how quickly each team is willing to hand the job to a rookie running back — if at all.

Washington Redskins

Derrius Guice seems to have a leg up on the competition with Rob Kelly and Samaje Perine in Washington. Chris Thompson should remain relevant in PPR, and maybe even in standard if he manages to score touchdowns with regularity. The distribution between the power running backs (Kelly, Guice and Perine) is what’s in question. Guice is most talented, but least experienced as a rookie. Kelly managed just 3.1 yards per carry in 2017, and Perine managed just 3.4 in his rookie season last year.

With a strong preseason, Guice should become a major contributor in Washington — and, in turn, on your fantasy team.

Detroit Lions

Rookie Kerryon Johnson joins a group of veterans who have unconvincing cases as the starter. Ameer Abdullah has potential, which has never actuated on the field in a meaningful way. LeGarrette Blount has been solid in recent years, but is 31 years old and brand new to Detroit’s offense (his past relationship with the Patriots obviously played in a role in new coach Matt Patricia bringing him in). Theo Riddick is a solid third-down back, but has never proved productive as a between-the-tackles runner.

In other words, predicting the outcome of this group will be a challenge. For now, Johnson and Abdullah will probably split carries on early downs. Riddick will get third downs. Blount will get goal-line carries. However, strong performances (and good health) could swing volume in the direction of any one of these players.

Denver Broncos

Devontae Booker, Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay are fighting for touches in the Denver backfield. Booker, a veteran with a history of underwhelming performances, will compete with Freeman and Lindsay, who both have different skills sets. Freeman, a rookie out of Oregon, is a powerful runner at 6-foot, 230 pounds. Lindsay, meanwhile, is a scatback with the ability to catch the ball — much like Tarik Cohen. Freeman and Lindsay could emerge together, and take different roles in the offense.

Their position group will be worth eyeing as the three running backs fight for handoffs from Case Keenum.

Cleveland Browns

There’s a chance no one wins in this backfield, largely because they’ve got so many deserving running backs.

In the same offseason, the Browns signed Carlos Hyde, drafted Nick Chubb and re-signed Duke Johnson. Running back is apparently a priority in Cleveland. But because they’ve made such significant commitments to each player, each back’s role in the offense in 2018 has become a bit hazy.

Johnson is likely the third-down back, and will be useful in PPR. However, Hyde and Chubb might cannibalize into each other’s workloads. If one gets injured, the other player could quickly become supremely valuable. If they stay healthy, they may be risky flex plays. Still, one of the power backs could begin to take control during the preseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The question in this backfield: How long can Jacquizz Rodgers hold off Ronald Jones? The Buccaneers have showed that while Rodgers is a more of a third-down back, they’re not afraid to ride him on every down, like they did during Doug Martin’s suspension last season. But those who have watched Jones’ highlights will know just how exciting he was in the Pac-10 as a runner and pass-catcher at USC.

If you’re Tampa and you need a big-play threat to give Ryan Fitzpatrick some help during Jameis Winston’s suspension, then Jones seems like an awfully nice option. There’s no guaranteeing he’ll beat out Rodgers right away. If Jones can, he’ll get tremendous volume in 2018.