The NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday and while we saw a small flurry of activity, not much changed on the running back front. We had one deal – Green Bay traded Ty Montgomery to Baltimore – that could have an interesting impact, but overall, it’s been quiet. No news is good news, right? Well, we still have a few situations that bear monitoring, so we’ll get to them too.
Baltimore Ravens
Let’s just start with the trade as every Alex Collins owner got a case of whiplash after doing a double-take upon hearing the news of the deal. Why in the world do the Ravens need another running back? We’ve been dying for John Harbaugh to give Collins the every-down opportunity and he’s failed to do so at every turn. Sure, you can cite the fumbles near the goal line, but Collins has also carried five balls into the end zone as well. Six if you count his one touchdown reception. But even if you think they need someone at the goal line, isn’t that what Javorius Allen is for? We’re not entirely sure of what kind of value Montgomery brings to the Ravens, but for fantasy purposes, we still don’t need/want him. If he starts to poach touches from Collins and Allen, we’re going to have to re-evaluate our desire to own either guy.
Green Bay Packers
It was a no-brainer to ship Ty Montgomery out of town as he blew the Packers chance of spoiling the Rams on their quest for the perfect season. But does it really have much of an effect on the Packers backfield? After seeing approximately 35-percent of the snaps most of the season, Montgomery saw just 12-percent this past Sunday and he hasn’t had much of an impact on either the real team or anyone’s fantasy squad for that matter. But it’s not like his absence is going to change the way Mike McCarthy deploys his running backs. Aaron Jones should maintain the lead role in the backfield, but Jamaal Williams is going to continue getting carries at his expense. And what’s worse is the Packers are willing to use Williams in the red zone. So while no Montgomery does us just fine, the roles aren’t really going to change.
Jacksonville Jaguars
After watching the jaguars play Sunday, it seems evident that Carlos Hyde is going to see a significant role in this offense when Leonard Fournette is out. T.J. Yeldon will serve as a complementary back and, until Fournette returns, could be the third-down pass-catcher. But that’s probably the best-case scenario for Yeldon. If Fournette does return in Week 10, Hyde will move to a complementary role and Yeldon will be sitting on the bench.
New England Patriots
Just felt it was important to document the Patriots backfield usage during their Week 8 Monday night match-up. Rather than lead with James White and have Kenjon Barner chew up the clock in the second half, Bill Belichick opted to turn Cordarelle Patterson into a running back and used him as the primary runner. James White got some work in and found the end zone, but this Patterson play came from out of nowhere. If anything, it just tells you Belichick has zero interest in using Barner and when Sony Michel returns, he’s up as the main guy. Sorry to those who actually thought Barner could be even just a temporary thing. Thanks a lot, Bill.
Philadelphia Eagles
We’re going to need to see the Eagles play one more game before we make actual changes to the grid. They’re on a bye this week so hopefully they sort things out, but from the looks of things, it would seem that Josh Adams is going to get a chance to lead this backfield. He saw the bulk of the carries out of the backfield while Wendell Smallwood saw the majority of the snaps and all the pass-catching work. Corey Clement , on the other hand, played a very minor role and it just doesn’t look promising for him moving forward. If Adams gets the shot in Week 10, then he and Smallwood will have the fantasy value while Clement fights for snaps and touches as a potential complementary back. If that’s the case, Clement can safely be dropped from your roster while Adams becomes a must-own.