Committee Report: Relevant backup fantasy RBs heading into Week 12

Staying on top of fluid backfield situations from week to week for all 32 teams is quite the tedious task, even for fantasy diehards. To help with your fantasy preparations, my weekly RB Committee Report is intended to be your one-stop shop for tracking each and every fantasy backfield. Each week, we’ll go around the league to hone in on who’s trending up or down in terms of workload distribution and volume, as well as efficiency, in order to pinpoint which backs are making the most (and least) of their opportunities.

STOCK UP	WK 11 RB SNAPS % / SEASON %	STOCK DOWN	WK 11 RB SNAPS % / SEASON %
Devontae Booker	58.5 / 32.5	Adrian Peterson	63.8 / 62.6
Samaje Perine	69.6 / 35.5	Tevin Coleman	67.7 / 43.4
Lamar Miller	74.3 / 74.0	C.J. Anderson	36.6 / 54.4
Alfred Morris	38.1 / 12.5	Jerick McKinnon	57.7 / 44.9
Bilal Powell	*47.8 / 42.9	Rex Burkhead	31.7 / 25.3

*Week 10

Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy Starter	Backup to Know
Adrian Peterson	Kerwynn Williams (PPR)

If you’ve been holding onto David Johnson in hopes for a return in time for your fantasy championship, you can cut him loose now. In Arizona’s two wins since his arrival, Adrian Peterson has played 75 percent of the offensive snaps and averaged 20 fantasy points. In Arizona’s three losses, he’s played 53 percent of the snaps and averaged three fantasy points. That’s about as gamescript-dependent as it gets for a player with minimal involvement in the passing game. Given that Arizona is far and away our worst-graded team on the season and a weekly underdog, Peterson’s usage is hardly bankable from game to game.

Atlanta Falcons

Starter	Backup to Own
Devonta Freeman	Tevin Coleman

Devonta Freeman sat out Monday night’s game in Seattle with a concussion. Tevin Coleman handled 21 touches and found the end zone for the second straight week, and he also had a second goal-line TD called back after replay review. The Week 11 matchup was a tough one against Baltimore, although Coleman has forced only three missed tackles over the last two weeks, ranking 35th out of 42 qualifiers in elusive rating in that span. Prior to these last two weeks, Coleman had not played more than 44 percent of the snaps in any game this season.

Baltimore Ravens

Starter	Backup to Own
Alex Collins	Danny Woodhead (PPR)

If one were to simply glance over Sunday’s box score, Alex Collins’ stat line of 49 yards on 24 carries wouldn’t look particularly impressive without context. However, Collins’ 20 carries marked a season-high, and he did score on a goal-line opportunity. Collins also caught four passes for 24 yards. All told, he forced four missed tackles and averaged 2.25 yards after contact against PFF’s No. 4-graded run defense, earning an 85.1 overall grade and a spot on our Week 11 Sunday Standouts team. Danny Woodhead played only 13 snaps in his first game back from injured reserve, although he was targeted six times and caught five of them for 21 yards. As expected, he settled into Javorius Allen’s role and not Collins’.

Buffalo Bills

Starter	Backup to Know
LeSean McCoy	Mike Tolbert (12+)

Replacement-level backups

Carolina Panthers

Starter	Backup to Know
Christian McCaffrey	Jonathan Stewart (12+)

Prior to the Panthers’ Week 11 bye, Christian McCaffrey turned in his two best fantasy outputs of the season in back-to-back weeks, although his snap share dipped from a season-high 81.5 percent in Week 9, back down to 57.5 percent in Week 10 with the Panthers nursing a big lead against Miami. While the rookie does rank as the RB14 in PPR scoring, our Austin Gayle recently broke down how McCaffrey is not being utilized in near as many power/counter run concepts as he was at Stanford.

Chicago Bears

Starter	Backup to Know
Jordan Howard	Tarik Cohen (PPR)

A week after Benny Cunningham doubled up Tarik Cohen in snaps, Cohen out-snapped Cunningham 13-1 behind Jordan Howard (15) on Sunday against Detroit. Howard remains the alpha back – he churned out 125 yards and a score on 15 carries and leads the NFC with 841 rushing yards – although Cohen did match Howard with 31 snaps and produced 59 yards and a TD on 13 touches. Considering Cohen totaled only 38 snaps over his previous three games, his Week 11 usage looks like an aberration for now.

Cincinnati Bengals

Starter	Backup to Know
Joe Mixon	Giovani Bernard (PPR)

Joe Mixon ranks dead-last out of 43 qualifiers in elusive rating over the past two weeks, having failed to force a single tackle on 32 touches while averaging just 1.66 yards after contact. Averaging only 0.80 yards before contact behind a Bengals’ O-line graded second-worst in run blocking, Mixon (RB33) remains more of a keeper/dynasty stash than a starting option in redraft lineups.

Cleveland Browns

Starter	Backup to Own
Isaiah Crowell	Duke Johnson (PPR)

After combining for 213 yards from scrimmage and two TDs over his previous two outings, Isaiah Crowell came back down to earth against Jacksonville, finishing with 18 yards on 11 carries. Duke Johnson held a 27-24 edge in snaps and produced 16.6 PPR points, although he was given only six touches. There’s simply no rhyme or reason to this backfield split; Johnson ranks 12th in elusive rating and 16th in PPR scoring on only 92 touches, while Crowell ranks 55th in elusive rating and 39th in PPR on 147 touches.

Dallas Cowboys

Starter	Backup to Own
Alfred Morris	Ezekiel Elliott

After months of speculation about which Cowboys backup to own, Darren McFadden was a healthy scratch in Week 11 after seeing just one carry the previous game. Technically, Rod Smith got the “start” and had 11 yards on eight carries, but most of that came in garbage time. Against an elite Eagles’ run defense and without LT Tyron Smith, Alfred Morris turned 17 carries into 91 yards – the most any RB has put up against Philly this season. “Alf” averaged 3.65 yards after contact, showing nice burst on back-to-back chunk gains where he pressed the hole and used his vision to find running lanes. He has the potential to be a league-winning handcuff down the stretch.

Denver Broncos

Starter	Backup to Own
Devontae Booker	C.J. Anderson

Devontae Booker held a 19-15 edge in touches over C.J. Anderson on Sunday and played a season-high 48 snaps, compared to 30 for Anderson, who also lost a key fumble. In fact, Anderson has played less than 40 percent of the snaps in three straight weeks after seeing the lion’s share over the season’s first eight weeks. Booker averaged only 3.1 YPC against Cincinnati but did have five catches for 54 yards. As a reminder, Booker was the team’s leading rusher a year ago as a fourth-round rookie out of Utah. He had previously talked about how coach Mike McCoy’s scheme was a better fit for his skillset, particularly in the passing game, but it’s now a fluid situation with QB coach Bill Musgrave taking over for the recently fired McCoy.

Detroit Lions

Starter	Backup to Know
Ameer Abdullah	Theo Riddick (PPR)

Ameer Abdullah is averaging a mere 3.4 YPC on the season, although he’s getting only 0.7 yards before contact behind the Lions’ subpar run blocking (No. 22 grade). Abdullah has scored in three straight but was held to only 35 yards from scrimmage against Chicago in Week 11. A TD-dependent back with both a low floor and a low ceiling (Detroit hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher since 2013), Abdullah sits outside the top-30 RBs in PPR scoring on the season. Theo Riddick is 41st but did tie a season-high in carries (9) and rushing yards (35) last week.

Green Bay Packers

Starter	Backup to Own
Jamaal Williams	Ty Montgomery (PPR)

Jamaal Williams is currently the last man standing from the rash of injuries that have befallen the Packers’ backfield. The rookie out of BYU did net 95 yards from scrimmage against a tough Baltimore defense in Week 11, although he has averaged only 3.3 yards on 38 carries over the last two weeks. However, Williams has averaged 2.34 yards after contact in that span, and his eight missed tackles forced trails only Mark Ingram’s nine. He’s a flex option against Pittsburgh this week.

Houston Texans

Starter	Backup to Know
Lamar Miller	Alfred Blue

With D’Onta Foreman out for the season after rupturing his Achilles, Lamar Miller is locked in as a backend RB1 based on volume. He’s played the second-most snaps among running backs this season and ranks 11th in PPR scoring, despite averaging just 3.7 YPC and ranking only 45th out of 48 RBs in elusive rating. It’s unfortunate timing for the rookie Foreman, who averaged 6.5 yards on 10 carries and scored twice against Arizona. Miller was coming off a season-low 58.6 percent of the snaps in Week 10 and had gotten less than 12 carries in two straight, but he rebounded with a season-high 22 carries in Week 11 and notched his third receiving score. Alfred Blue moves into the backup role, while new addition Andre Ellington figures to get some work on passing downs.

Indianapolis Colts

Starter	Backup to Own
Frank Gore	Marlon Mack

Hidden beneath Marlon Mack’s 3.7 YPC average is the fact that 3.2 yards of that average has come after contact, as he ranks seventh in elusive rating this season. No RB with as many carries has been afforded less room before contact (0.60) than Mack, who’s played only nine fewer snaps than Frank Gore over the last four games. The rookie also has been given twice as many carries as Gore inside the 10 and has been more involved as a receiver since Robert Turbin’s season-ending injury.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Starter	Backup to Know
Leonard Fournette	T.J. Yeldon (12+)

Leonard Fournette’s lingering ankle injury is something he plans to continue managing throughout the week and gutting out on Sundays. Thus far, he hasn’t appeared any worse for wear, with 100-plus rushing yards in three of his last four games. T.J. Yeldon produced 137 yards and a TD on 11 touches in Fournette’s absence back in Week 9, but Chris Ivory has played twice as many snaps.

Kansas City Chiefs

Starter	Backup to Know
Kareem Hunt	Charcandrick West (12+)

Kareem Hunt’s fantasy owners are well aware that he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3 and hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in five straight after hitting that number in four of his first five career games. However, he’s still getting plenty of volume and did run for 73 yards on 18 carries against the Giants, and that doesn’t include a couple of big runs that were negated by penalty.

Los Angeles Chargers

Starter	Backup to Know
Melvin Gordon	Austin Ekeler (12+)

Last week I pointed to Melvin Gordon’s friendly upcoming schedule as reason enough not to cut bait, and he rewarded fantasy owners with 80 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo on Sunday. Austin Ekeler has earned himself a piece of the pie with his recent play, but Gordon is still going to get his.

Los Angeles Rams

Starter	Backup to Know
Todd Gurley	Lance Dunbar (12+)

Replacement-level backups

Miami Dolphins

Starter	Backup to Know
Kenyan Drake	Damien Williams (PPR)

Damien Williams gained 69 of his 78 yards on one run against Tampa Bay, although he did finish with 11 touches to Kenyan Drake’s eight. Despite some big runs since Jay Ajayi’s departure, Drake has yet to log double-digit carries in a game, and we saw his floor in a negative game script against the Bucs with just four yards on seven totes. Neither player is a recommended option this week against New England.

Minnesota Vikings

Starter	Backup to Own
Jerick McKinnon	Latavius Murray (12+)

Jerick McKinnon continues losing work to Latavius Murray, which has ultimately made both backs touchdown-dependent in fantasy. That has benefitted Murray with three scores over the last two weeks, while McKinnon was held to single-digit fantasy points both times. The snap share continues to be split down the middle, with McKinnon seeing more work on passing downs.

New England Patriots

Starter	Backup to Own
Dion Lewis	Rex Burkhead (PPR)

Rex Burkhead paced New England in snaps at Denver in Week 10, but Dion Lewis was back on top this week and logged a team-high 14 touches, compared to nine for Burkhead and five for James White. Lewis made the most of his opportunities with 60 yards on 10 carries in addition to catching 4-of-4 targets for 28 yards and a score. Lewis’ involvement in the passing game is the X-factor, as his four targets were a season-high. He averaged seven targets per game just two seasons ago with the Patriots and was quite productive as a pass catcher.

New Orleans Saints

Starter	Backup to Own
Mark Ingram	Alvin Kamara (PPR)

It seems crazy to continue endorsing both Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara as surefire RB1s week in, week out. But the fact is, Ingram and Kamara have each failed to crack the top-10 fantasy RBs only once in the last six weeks. That’s a combined 20 out of 22 top-10 weekly finishes, as the duo ranks No. 1 and 2 among running backs in fantasy scoring since Adrian Peterson was traded in Week 6. So, yeah, if it ain’t broke …

New York Giants

Starter	Backup to Know
Orleans Darkwa	Wayne Gallman

Orleans Darkwa has gotten 15-plus touches in four of his past five games. He is averaging 12 PPR points in that span but ranks only 33rd in elusive rating. Still, he has taken over as the Giants’ lead back, with rookie Wayne Gallman and Shane Vereen mixing in situationally.

New York Jets

Starter	Backup to Own
Bilal Powell	Elijah McGuire

Coming off a bye, Matt Forte remained sidelined at Wednesday’s practice, and the swelling in his knee continues to be an issue. Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire split the work down the middle in Forte’s absence against Tampa Bay in Week 10, which wasn’t the scenario Powell’s fantasy owners were hoping for. It will be interesting to see if that is again the case this week against Carolina, considering Powell produced 190 yards from scrimmage and a score in his only game with 20-plus touches this season and was one of fantasy’s biggest difference-makers down the stretch last season.

Oakland Raiders

Starter	Backup to Own
Marshawn Lynch	Jalen Richard (12+)

The Raiders’ bye served Marshawn Lynch well, as he posted an 89.3 overall grade despite limited opportunities in a lopsided affair against New England. The 31-year-old averaged 3.0 yards after contact and forced four missed tackles on 12 touches. Still, he’s averaging only 11 carries per game this season and is not involved in the passing game, leaving him with a low fantasy floor in games that he doesn’t score.

Philadelphia Eagles

Starter	Backup to Own
Jay Ajayi	LeGarrette Blount

Wendell Smallwood was the odd man out on Sunday, but four different players still logged snaps in the Eagles’ backfield. LeGarrette Blount led the way with 30 snaps, finishing with 57 yards on 13 carries as he was called on to close things out with Philadelphia taking a big second-half lead against Dallas. Newcomer Jay Ajayi saw only 13 snaps, but he made the most of his seven carries and finished with 91 yards, 71 of which came on a third-quarter scamper that kick-started the Eagles’ second-half surge. Corey Clement found the end zone for the sixth time this season and saw 19 snaps, while Kenjon Barner scored on the opening drive after a 22-yard catch and run. All of that production came behind an O-line that generated 2.5 yards before contact, but at the end of the day, this is a better backfield in real life than in fantasy with so many mouths to feed.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Starter	Backup to Own
Le’Veon Bell	James Conner

Le’Veon Bell has played 100 more snaps than the next-closest RB in the league (Lamar Miller). For those with a roster spot to spare, Bell has played just one 16-game season in his four-year career. Rookie James Conner (4.7 YPC) would be a plug-and-play RB2 if Bell were to miss time for any reason.

San Francisco 49ers

Starter	Backup to Own
Carlos Hyde	Matt Breida

In the game prior to San Francisco’s Week 11 bye, Matt Breida had a season-best 55 rushing yards on nine carries, much of which came on a 33-yard TD scamper in the fourth quarter. He saw only 17 snaps, compared to 46 for starter Carlos Hyde, who averaged 5.8 yards on 17 carries and gained 84 of his 98 rushing yards after contact. Hyde has played the fourth-most snaps among RBs this season.

Seattle Seahawks

Starter	Backup to Know
Mike Davis	J.D. McKissic (PPR)

In a surprise move, Thomas Rawls was a healthy scratch on Monday night while Mike Davis got the start. Davis ran angry in the early going but, as has happened to a quartet of Seahawks RBs before him, wasn’t able to stay healthy and is unlikely to play in week 12 due to a groin injury. This has been a fantasy backfield to avoid all season, but there is some appeal for J.D. McKissic against San Francisco’s league-worst fantasy run defense. With Davis sidelined, McKissic out-touched Eddie Lacy by a 12-3 margin on Monday night. McKissic has made the occasional splash play, particularly as a receiver, but we simply haven’t seen him carry a starter’s workload. Still, he’s essentially a free square in DFS this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Starter	Backup to Know
Doug Martin	Charles Sims

Doug Martin is averaging only 3.1 YPC this season and hasn’t scored since Week 6. For one reason or another, he’s eclipsed 20 touches in four of his last five games. Charles Sims may get a look sooner rather than later, but he’s gotten only 12 carries on the season and averaged just 1.75 yards after contact.

Tennessee Titans

Starter	Backup to Own
DeMarco Murray	Derrick Henry

DeMarco Murray played 80 percent of the Titans’ offensive snaps on Thursday night and held a 13-7 edge in touches over Derrick Henry, but a four-INT outing by Marcus Mariota effectively rendered both backs useless for fantasy. As has been pointed out time and again in this space, Henry has outperformed Murray in practically every metric, but it appears his only path to fantasy stardom before season’s end would be in the event of an injury to Murray.

Washington Redskins

Starter	Backup to Know
Samaje Perine	Byron Marshall

With Chris Thompson and Robert Kelley both on injured reserve, Samaje Perine made the most of his first start with 117 yards and a score on 23 carries against the Saints in Week 11. Most impressively, Perine averaged 4.17 yards after contact and posted the week’s eighth-best elusive rating after entering the day ranked 41st in that category. He’s a locked-in RB2 for the stretch run.