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Here is the Week 15 Running Backs Coach with my recommendations first and some relevant data you should be keeping an eye on when doing your research and making lineup decisions.
High End Options
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David Johnson continued his 100+ total yards streak on just 16 touches last week. This is likely going to be his toughest match-up of the season. Arizona is 8th in YPC as a team, 10th in run block rating per PFF and 4th in rushing TD’s. He is slightly discounted this week because of the match-up. Johnson is game flow proof so worth a look in GPP’s.
Le'Veon Bell, just like Johnson, has a tough match-up this week. He was shut down last game out vs Baltimore where he totaled just 70 total yards. Pittsburgh is 6th in run blocking per PFF and we saw Baltimore give up some rushing yards on the ground last week vs. Philadelphia. The Steelers offense is also much better at home which should lead to a better game for Bell than the last time vs the Ravens.
LeSean McCoy leads a Buffalo rushing attack that is 1st in YAC, 1st YPG, 1st in Rushing TD’s and 9th in run blocking per PFF. Miami is also 30th in rushing YPC allowed and 30th in YPG allowed. It would be nice if he got those 1 yard TD’s but as he showed last week he will score on just about anything outside of the 3-yard line.
Ezekiel Elliott stills leads in the NFL in rushing yards by a considerable margin. He one of the best match-ups of any of the premiere running backs. Dallas has the 3rd best run block rating per PFF, 3rd in overall offense rating per PFF, 2nd rushing YPG, 2nd YPAC and 2nd in rushing TD’s. Detroit is 28th in the run defense and 29th in overall defensive ratings per PFF.
Mid-Level Options
DeMarco Murray will take on Jacksonville this week. The Titans are 1st in run blocking per PFF, 5th overall offensive rating, 3rd YPC, 3rd in YPG and 6th in rushing TD’s scored. The Jaguars just fired their coach and Tennessee is battling for their playoff lives. We are seeing more Derrick Henry lately at the goal line which is a bit concerning so would limit my use of Murray to GPP’s.
Jordan Howard is still not getting the touches he should be. The struggling Redskins come to town who are 24th in overall defense per PFF, 22nd in run defense rating per PFF, 28th in YPG allowed, 28th in YPC allowed and 27th in rushing TD’s allowed. The Bears are 9th in YPC so a game that should have a better game flow could allow a big game for Howard.
Todd Gurley is hard to recommend based on how bad he has been this season but he gets the 49ers this week. San Francisco is 31st overall defense rating per PFF, 32nd In run defense rating per PFF, 32nd in YPG allowed, 32nd in YPC allowed and 32nd in rushing TD’s allowed. Gurley did get priced up for the match-up just about every running back has produced vs. the 49ers.
Latavius Murray takes on the Colts this week. Oakland is 4th in run blocking per PFF, 6th in overall offense per PFF, 6th in YPG and 6th in rushing TD’s. The Colts are 32nd in overall defensive rating per PFF, 31st in run defense rating per PFF and 27th in YPC allowed. Murray has been averaging just under 20 touches per game over the last 6 games after sharing more of the load early in the season.
Ty Montgomery experiment will continue for another at least another week. I don’t see being able to take a pounding every week but the Packers lack any options that they trust at the position. Montgomery had 162 rushing yards last week but still think he has more value in PPR formats. Green Bay is 6th in YPC this season so they do have success when they run the ball. I would expect both 50-60 yards in receiving and rushing this week.
Low Cost Options
Kenneth Farrow did not have a good game last week including a lost fumble. He gets a great match-up vs Cleveland. The Browns are 30th in overall defense rating per PFF, 31st in YPG allowed, 31st in YPC allowed and 27th rushing TD’s allowed. He had 17 touches last week compared to just 7 for Hillman so he appears to still be the lead RB and even got the next touch after his 2nd half fumble.
Justin Forsett will be the starting RB the last two weeks of the season for the Broncos. Kansas City does struggle vs the run where they are 24th in run defense rating per PFF, 28th in YPG allowed, 24th in YPC allowed and 20th in rushing TD’s allowed. Forsett is extremely cheap near minimum price and while he is new to the team he is very familiar with Kubiak’s offense.
| Opp Ru | Opp Ov | Opp Ru | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Tm | Opp | G | Snaps | RuAtt | RuYds | RuTD | YPC | Rec | ReYd | ReTd | Tar | Fum | Def Rk | Def Rk | Yds/G | DVOA | O/U | $Line | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Le'Veon Bell | PIT | BAL | 11 | 649 | 241 | 1,146 | 6 | 4.8 | 72 | 601 | 1 | 90 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 88.5 | -0.153 | 44 | -230 | $9500 | $9400 | $6500 |
| LeSean McCoy | BUF | MIA | 13 | 521 | 186 | 976 | 10 | 5.2 | 41 | 317 | 1 | 47 | 2 | 22 | 15 | 142.7 | -0.018 | 42 | -200 | $9100 | $9000 | $5900 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | DET | 14 | 625 | 310 | 1,551 | 13 | 5 | 31 | 351 | 1 | 39 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 106.5 | 0.1590 | 43 | -345 | $8900 | $7900 | $6600 |
| David Johnson | ARI | SEA | 14 | 831 | 260 | 1,138 | 13 | 4.4 | 73 | 800 | 4 | 109 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 102.4 | -0.128 | 43 | -420 | $8700 | $9200 | $6600 |
| Melvin Gordon | SD | CLE | 13 | 658 | 254 | 997 | 10 | 3.9 | 41 | 419 | 2 | 57 | 2 | 32 | 32 | 167.7 | 0.1960 | 44 | 205 | $8600 | $7400 | $5800 |
| DeMarco Murray | TEN | JAC | 14 | 717 | 268 | 1,224 | 9 | 4.6 | 50 | 361 | 3 | 62 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 119.3 | -0.03 | 43.5 | 185 | $8400 | $7000 | $5600 |
| Todd Gurley | LA | SF | 14 | 597 | 241 | 778 | 5 | 3.2 | 36 | 270 | 0 | 50 | 2 | 30 | 31 | 189.8 | 0.1380 | 40 | -180 | $7900 | $6500 | $4900 |
| Devonta Freeman | ATL | CAR | 14 | 504 | 202 | 930 | 10 | 4.6 | 41 | 346 | 2 | 52 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 92.4 | -0.049 | 52 | 120 | $7800 | $7100 | $5500 |
| Latavius Murray | OAK | IND | 12 | 447 | 175 | 737 | 12 | 4.2 | 30 | 239 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 29 | 23 | 118 | 0.1180 | 53 | -185 | $7300 | $6200 | $5150 |
| LeGarrette Blount | NE | NYJ | 14 | 453 | 265 | 1,060 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 38 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 107.6 | 0.1030 | 44 | -1400 | $7200 | $5600 | $4900 |
| Jordan Howard | CHI | WAS | 13 | 528 | 194 | 969 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 266 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 26 | 26 | 124.2 | 0.0820 | 45.5 | 165 | $7200 | $6300 | $5100 |
| Carlos Hyde | SF | LA | 12 | 470 | 204 | 950 | 6 | 4.7 | 24 | 139 | 2 | 30 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 115.8 | -0.022 | 40 | -180 | $7100 | $5800 | $4900 |
| Doug Martin | TB | NO | 8 | 281 | 144 | 421 | 3 | 2.9 | 14 | 134 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 19 | 27 | 107.3 | 0.1260 | 52.5 | -150 | $7000 | $5400 | $5100 |
| Lamar Miller | HOU | CIN | 14 | 575 | 268 | 1,073 | 5 | 4 | 31 | 188 | 1 | 39 | 2 | 18 | 21 | 126.5 | 0.0320 | 41 | -125 | $6900 | $5700 | $5000 |
| Jeremy Hill | CIN | HOU | 14 | 393 | 215 | 831 | 9 | 3.9 | 21 | 174 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 17 | 18 | 110.9 | -0.033 | 41 | -125 | $6800 | $5300 | $5000 |
| Jay Ajayi | MIA | BUF | 13 | 454 | 212 | 1,007 | 7 | 4.8 | 23 | 128 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 31 | 24 | 134 | 0.0600 | 42 | -200 | $6700 | $5600 | $4850 |
| Bilal Powell | NYJ | NE | 14 | 392 | 94 | 540 | 3 | 5.7 | 53 | 359 | 1 | 68 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 94.7 | 0.0090 | 44 | -1400 | $6500 | $6000 | $4800 |
| Spencer Ware | KC | DEN | 13 | 471 | 201 | 860 | 3 | 4.3 | 31 | 427 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 137.7 | -0.188 | 37.5 | -180 | $6500 | $5300 | $5000 |
| Jonathan Stewart | CAR | ATL | 11 | 436 | 187 | 709 | 8 | 3.8 | 6 | 51 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 28 | 29 | 109.3 | 0.1170 | 52 | 120 | $6400 | $5200 | $5000 |
| Matt Forte | NYJ | NE | 14 | 474 | 218 | 813 | 7 | 3.7 | 30 | 263 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 94.7 | 0.0090 | 44 | -1400 | $6400 | $5300 | $4900 |
| Adrian Peterson | MIN | GB | 2 | 72 | 31 | 50 | 0 | 1.6 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 19 | 103.5 | -0.003 | 43 | -300 | $6400 | $4600 | $4950 |
| Mark Ingram | NO | TB | 14 | 397 | 167 | 850 | 3 | 5.1 | 38 | 287 | 4 | 47 | 2 | 23 | 7 | 124.9 | -0.046 | 52.5 | -150 | $6300 | $4400 | $4850 |
| Thomas Rawls | SEA | ARI | 7 | 192 | 93 | 327 | 2 | 3.5 | 13 | 96 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 106.8 | -0.109 | 43 | -420 | $6200 | $5100 | $4800 |
| Tevin Coleman | ATL | CAR | 10 | 280 | 101 | 386 | 7 | 3.8 | 25 | 361 | 2 | 33 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 92.4 | -0.049 | 52 | 120 | $6100 | $5000 | $4700 |
| Kenneth Farrow | SD | CLE | 12 | 106 | 51 | 164 | 0 | 3.2 | 9 | 41 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 32 | 32 | 167.7 | 0.1960 | 44 | 205 | $6100 | $5000 | $4800 |
| Frank Gore | IND | OAK | 14 | 553 | 208 | 790 | 4 | 3.8 | 31 | 237 | 4 | 39 | 1 | 21 | 22 | 125.8 | 0.0430 | 53 | -185 | $6000 | $4800 | $4800 |
| Robert Kelley | WAS | CHI | 13 | 254 | 137 | 595 | 6 | 4.3 | 10 | 76 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 27 | 14 | 124.5 | 0.0080 | 45.5 | 165 | $5800 | $5200 | $4800 |
| Terrance West | BAL | PIT | 14 | 369 | 178 | 729 | 5 | 4.1 | 27 | 191 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 95.9 | -0.058 | 44 | -230 | $5800 | $4400 | $4600 |
| Isaiah Crowell | CLE | SD | 14 | 449 | 163 | 746 | 5 | 4.6 | 33 | 299 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 103.1 | -0.079 | 44 | 205 | $5700 | $4100 | $4150 |
| Tim Hightower | NO | TB | 14 | 231 | 122 | 490 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 189 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 23 | 7 | 124.9 | -0.046 | 52.5 | -150 | $5500 | $4000 | $4300 |
| Rashad Jennings | NYG | PHI | 11 | 350 | 154 | 497 | 2 | 3.2 | 30 | 189 | 1 | 36 | 0 | 15 | 10 | 113 | -0.105 | 41.5 | 125 | $5500 | $0 | $4400 |
| Ryan Mathews | PHI | NYG | 12 | 223 | 137 | 615 | 8 | 4.5 | 12 | 99 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 97 | -0.143 | 41.5 | 125 | $5400 | $0 | $4700 |
| Devontae Booker | DEN | KC | 14 | 402 | 155 | 528 | 3 | 3.4 | 23 | 169 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 25 | 12 | 134.3 | -0.039 | 37.5 | -180 | $5400 | $3700 | $4500 |
| Derrick Henry | TEN | JAC | 13 | 205 | 91 | 412 | 4 | 4.5 | 10 | 112 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 119.3 | -0.03 | 43.5 | 185 | $5300 | $4900 | $4300 |
| Robert Turbin | IND | OAK | 13 | 212 | 31 | 99 | 4 | 3.2 | 20 | 128 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 21 | 22 | 125.8 | 0.0430 | 53 | -185 | $5300 | $3600 | $3500 |
| Darren Sproles | PHI | NYG | 13 | 454 | 78 | 366 | 1 | 4.7 | 47 | 400 | 2 | 64 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 97 | -0.143 | 41.5 | 125 | $5300 | $0 | $4300 |
| Jerick McKinnon | MIN | GB | 12 | 384 | 129 | 388 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 140 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 19 | 103.5 | -0.003 | 43 | -300 | $5300 | $4000 | $4000 |
| Kenneth Dixon | BAL | PIT | 10 | 182 | 66 | 281 | 1 | 4.3 | 26 | 142 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 95.9 | -0.058 | 44 | -230 | $5300 | $4200 | $4300 |
| Theo Riddick | DET | DAL | 10 | 423 | 92 | 357 | 1 | 3.9 | 53 | 371 | 5 | 67 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 87.1 | 0.0220 | 43 | -345 | $5300 | $5400 | $4450 |
| Dwayne Washington | DET | DAL | 10 | 170 | 69 | 212 | 1 | 3.1 | 7 | 49 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 87.1 | 0.0220 | 43 | -345 | $5300 | $3400 | $3900 |
| Chris Ivory | JAC | TEN | 10 | 255 | 103 | 394 | 2 | 3.8 | 16 | 117 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 14 | 25 | 98.8 | 0.0560 | 43.5 | 185 | $5200 | $3600 | $4200 |
| T.J. Yeldon | JAC | TEN | 14 | 535 | 128 | 460 | 1 | 3.6 | 50 | 312 | 1 | 68 | 2 | 14 | 25 | 98.8 | 0.0560 | 43.5 | 185 | $5200 | $3800 | $4100 |
| Christine Michael | GB | MIN | 9 | 340 | 117 | 469 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 96 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 114.5 | -0.078 | 43 | -300 | $5100 | $3500 | $4100 |
| Matt Asiata | MIN | GB | 13 | 345 | 107 | 354 | 6 | 3.3 | 25 | 182 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 103.5 | -0.003 | 43 | -300 | $5100 | $3100 | $4100 |
| Mike Gillislee | BUF | MIA | 13 | 207 | 66 | 409 | 6 | 6.2 | 8 | 40 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 15 | 142.7 | -0.018 | 42 | -200 | $5100 | $4500 | $4000 |
| Dion Lewis | NE | NYJ | 5 | 81 | 37 | 183 | 0 | 4.9 | 14 | 85 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 107.6 | 0.1030 | 44 | -1400 | $5100 | $4100 | $4600 |
| Justin Forsett | DEN | KC | 3 | 118 | 31 | 98 | 0 | 3.2 | 11 | 36 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 25 | 12 | 134.3 | -0.039 | 37.5 | -180 | $5100 | $3600 | $4600 |
Player News
Titans beat writer Turron Davenport said “they’re probably not picking up the fifth-year option” for Treylon Burks.
This news comes as a surprise to nobody. While it’s worth noting that nothing has been made official at this time, Burks’ time with the Titans has been filled with disappointing production across 27 games, (53-699-1) and injuries. According to Davenport, Burks is still going through rehab to recover from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 5 last season. The former No. 18 overall pick is entering a legitimate prove-it year, but may struggled to see the field even if healthy. In addition to competing with Calvin Ridley, Burks will also be going up against veteran Van Jefferson and rookie receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, who they used fourth-round picks on last weekend.
Browns will not exercise Kenny Pickett’s fifth-year option.
Well, yeah, the idea of paying Kenny Pickett $22.1 million to play quarterback in 2026 is laughable. Pickett is now part of a four-headed battle in training camp between himself, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Joe Flacco to make the Browns. We’ll see if Pickett makes the roster, but it may be more about how well the rookies play than anything he does in camp or the preseason.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he expects Mark Andrews to remain with the Ravens.
We’re losing a staple of the on-again/off-again veteran tight end trade market posts this offseason. DeCosta said this after Day 2 of the draft, implying that the Ravens likely would only have moved on from Andrews if they received more than a Day 3 pick. Andrews can continue to be penciled in as a mid-range TE1 in fantasy drafts now that we know for certain he’s attached to Lamar Jackson for another season.
The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia believes Dalton Kincaid can be a “post-hype sleeper” for the Bills in 2025.
It’s certainly more of an opinion than a fact, but Buscaglia writes that Kincaid “can be the single-most important key to giving the Bills a different element to their game.” Perhaps more notable is the fact that Kincaid is healthy after dealing with “ill-timed injuries” last season, which includes but are perhaps not limited to a knee injury that led to him missing four regular season games. Kincaid caught 73 passes for 673 and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, but was limited to just 44-448-2 across 13 games last season. Kincaid was selected 25th overall by the Bills two seasons ago and will hopefully have more to offer in his third season. A more reliable role could have him on the fantasy radar as a low-end TE1 after he ranked 11th amongst TE in points as a rookie.
Giants signed WR Antwane Wells.
Reunited with Jaxson Dart! Wells (6’1/201) is a fifth-year senior with stops at three college programs. He began at James Madison, catching 83 passes for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. Transferring to South Carolina before his junior year, Wells tallied 68 receptions for 928 yards and six scores before playing just three games his fourth year. He transferred to Ole Miss for a final 28-catch, 553-yard season with six touchdowns. With 19.8 yards per reception last season, Wells showed strong vertical ability. He lacks clean routes and his production dwindled in his final college years, but Wells has a good frame and the physicality to contribute at the end of a pass-catching rotation in the NFL.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes Quentin Johnston will “have to earn his roster spot” in training camp.
Popper has Tre Harris starting alongside Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey in three-wide sets, bringing up the possibility of moving KeAndre Lambert-Smith on to the field when they “need more speed.” None of this sets up especially well for Johnston, the last pick of the Tom Telesco regime. He improved last year with a 55/711/8 receiving line, but he may be fighting for one of the last spots on the roster this year if everyone makes it through training camp without an injury. Harris getting early buzz as a starter is interesting too, though we expect the Chargers to run plenty of two-wide sets.