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There's a classic football saying, “you can't make the club from the tub." Well, in fantasy football it's hard to win the strap if your players aren't getting the snaps.
To close things out we'll get the final verdict on how many of these backfield committees shook out and what it could mean for next season.
As always, tweet me @ericmcclung with your comments, questions and suggestions.
Buffalo Bills (62 offensive snaps)
With LeSean McCoy (knee) sidelined, Karlos Williams led the Bills' backfield by playing 61 percent of the snaps and carrying the ball 17 times for 76 yards. Mike Gillislee only saw 36 percent of the snaps, but ran for 93 yards. Both scored, although Gillislee had a touchdown overturned to setup a one-yard plunge for Williams. McCoy is obviously the lead guy next year, but Williams has made a strong case to remain in the mix and will be a very popular handcuff selection on draft day 2016.
Carolina Panthers (52 snaps)
Replacing Jonathan Stewart (foot) is no easy task, which is why the Panthers found themselves running him 20-plus times on a weekly basis. Both Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert played nearly 39 percent of the snaps while Fozzy Whittaker wasn't far behind at 35 percent.
Chicago Bears (71 snaps)
The Bears are looking toward the future, and rightfully so. Jeremy Langford saw the field 54 percent of the time while running the ball 19 times for 83 yards. There's no reason to expect Matt Forte (39 percent, 11 carries, 54 yards) to return next year. Langford has shown flashes of ability, but is only averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
Cincinnati Bengals (72 snaps)
This week saw a pretty typical split of playing time for Jeremy Hill (53 percent) and Giovani Bernard (46 percent). This was an obvious timeshare heading into the season. However, Hill was plummeted from 5.1 yards per carry in last year's rookie season to a mere 3.4 YPC. It's nearly impossible to imagine drafting either one as a fantasy starter next year, even Bernard in PPR.
Denver Broncos (65 snaps)
Ronnie Hillman (51 percent) and C.J. Anderson (48 percent) each got nine carries, with the latter making the only big play on a fourth quarter 39-yard touchdown run. Despite the erratic production, Anderson is averaging 4.6 YPC. Hillman is under 4.0, but Gary Kubiak remains locked into this committee approach.
Detriot Lions (71 snaps)
Ameer Abdullah (28 percent) has recorded a long run of over 20 yards in three of the last five games. However, the rookie has been limited to single-digit carries in three straight games after averaging nearly 14 carries in the three previous contents. Theo Riddick (48 percent) paced the backfield in this one with Joique Bell (28 percent) equaling Abdullah.
Green Bay Packers (66 snaps)
James Starks only saw seven snaps due to a lost fumble. That allowed Eddie Lacy to play 63 percent of the snaps. A big part of the Packers offseason has to be figuring out what exactly they have in Lacy and bringing in a better alternative than Starks.
Houston Texans (72 snaps)
Send me a tweet if you can figure out of the Texans backfield. This week broke down like so: Alfred Blue (39 percent, 15 carries), Jonathan Grimes (24 percent, six carries), Chris Polk (22 percent, 11 carries).
Kansas City Chiefs (54 snaps)
Jamaal Charles (knee) will be the man next year, but KC found out they have a very capable backup in Charcandrick West (89 percent). Spencer Ware (ribs) only played six snaps.
Miami Dolphins (72 snaps)
After several weeks of erratic usage, Lamar Miller saw 71 percent of the snaps this game. Rookie Jay Ajayi played 18 percent. Miller is a pending free agent, one of several big decisions the Dolphins will need to make this offseason.
New England Patriots (56 snaps)
None of the Pats RBs got much done on the ground, but Brandon Bolden (48 percent) and James White (39 percent) were targeted a combined 12 times. Newcomer Steven Jackson (16 percent) did very little with his seven carries.
New York Giants (55 snaps)
Rashad Jennings (48 percent) racked up 136 yards of total offense while Shane Vereen (33 percent) was nearly invisible. Jennings has been really good over the last three weeks, highlighting just how ridiculous the Giants four-man backfield approach was.
New York Jets (71 snaps)
Nothing really new here. Bilal Powell (62 percent) is the best fit for how the Jets want to play offense. Since Powell returned in Week 11, Chris Ivory (35 percent) has seen 13 or fewer carries in four of seven contests.
Philadelphia Eagles (81 snaps)
DeMarco Murray (19 percent) led the team in rushing with only 27 yards, but played fewer snaps than Darren Sproles (38 percent) and Ryan Mathews (21 percent). Assuming the Eagles bring him back, it's not hard to envision Murray bouncing back next season in a downhill running scheme that suits his skill set.
Seattle Seahawks (72 snaps)
The Seahawks were absolutely putrid on the ground. Russell Wilson led the team with 38 yards. No one else had a run over seven yards. For those interested in this dumpster fire of running backs: Fred Jackson (49 percent, two carries, 11 yards), Bryce Brown 15 percent (seven carries, nine yards), Christine Michael (31 percent, six carries, six yards).
San Francisco 49ers (62 snaps)
DuJuan Harris got off to a nice start, but only played 24 percent of the snaps while ending up with 73 yards on 11 carries. Project player Jarryd Hayne (56 percent, nine carries, 27 yards) could see even more action in the finale for evaluation purposes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (56 snaps)
Pending free agent Doug Martin saw 57 percent of the snaps due to a pair fumbles. That allowed Charles Sims to play 43 percent and lead the team with 72 receiving yards on just three catches. Coming off two disappointing seasons marred with injury, Martin is back to putting similar numbers to his rookie season.
Tennessee Titans (66 snaps)
The Titans suffered a beat down that was so bad Bishop Sankey played nearly 46 percent of the snaps. This team needs a competent running back in the worst way.
Player News
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala says free agent QB Aaron Rodgers “is not going to play just for the sake of playing.”
Kinkhabwala has had conversations with Rodgers and executives around the league trying to sign him. Based on those conversations, she says, “it’s extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing.” He remains unsigned with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon and multiple teams needing quarterback help. The Steelers are the most likely fit, but it seems Rodgers won’t force it if he does not find a good fit. This explains why Rodgers has been interested in the Vikings and has not yet signed. The 41-year-old may be headed for retirement if a situation he prefers, like the Vikings, does not want him back. His options remain limited and Rodgers may call it a career if he still does not like his options later in the offseason.
Bears signed LB T.J. Edwards to a two-year, $20 million extension.
Edwards’ extension includes $16.6 million guaranteed. The Bears originally signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract two seasons ago and he has outplayed that salary. Edwards has four interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons starting for Chicago in the middle of the field. He gets a raise as the Bears lock up another important part of their defense after extending CB Kyler Gordon earlier in the week.
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.