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As NFL offenses continue to evolve, most teams live and die by the pass. As a result, we've seen the running back position de-prioritized to a certain extent, with true "workhorse" backs becoming almost extinct.
Committee situations and shared workloads are increasingly becoming the norm in today's NFL. However, due to a combination of injuries or lack of talent in their backfields, some teams have little choice but to rely on a bell-cow back.
As we head into Week 3 of the NFL season, several running backs have the potential to see workhorse-type usage for their fantasy managers. Let's take a look at the RBs who are candidates for high-volume workloads this week.
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James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
The knock on James Conner is that he's injury-prone. But when Conner is fully healthy, he's still a heck of a football player. Second-year Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon hasn't been shy about feeding his RB1, as Conner's 37 carries are tied for the fifth-most attempts in the NFL.
James Conner is over 100 rushing yards today for his 15th career 100-yard rushing performance. (at end of 3rd quarter, he has 101on 17 carries with a TD)
Conner hits 100 rushing yards for the 6th time in his last 20 games played – and for the 3rd time in his last 4 games played.
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) September 15, 2024
Many were concerned that rookie Trey Benson might eat into Conner's workload in 2024, but that's been nowhere near the case. He'll continue to be Arizona's bell cow in a Week 3 clash with the Detroit Lions.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson being deployed as a workhorse back was only a pipe dream during former Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith's tenure, but the talented second-year pro has been handed more volume since Smith's departure.
Robinson has been a true dual-threat for the Falcons in 2024 with 32 carries and 10 targets already under his belt through the season's first two games. He's one of just four running backs in the NFL who has averaged being on the field for more than 80% of their team's offensive snaps this season.
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
As always, Henry is going to be somewhat game-script dependent and will lose some passing-game work to Justice Hill anytime Baltimore falls palpably behind. However, there's no doubt that Jim Harbaugh and company want to lean on King Henry as much as possible in early-down and goal-line situations. He comes into this week's big showdown with Dallas off 19 touches in Week 2.
The Cowboys have been quietly or maybe not-so-quietly horrible against the run so far. Mike Zimmer's unit has coughed up the most fantasy points in the NFL to the RB position and has allowed a chunky 5.0 yards per carry. This matchup sets up better for Henry than it might appear on the surface.
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
A workhorse role doesn't necessarily equal production. That's been the case with D'Andre Swift, who has handled 28 of Chicago's 37 running back touches this season and saw 18 total opportunities in Week 2. Unfortunately, the Bears' big offseason acquisition has faced rugged matchups against Tennessee and Houston.
He should find much more daylight this week against a struggling Indy defense. The Colts enter Week 3 ranked dead last against the run and the 450 rushing yards they've allowed to the RB position is the most in the NFL.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Since a sluggish first half in the season opener in Brazil, Jacobs has been one of the more impressive runners in the league thus far. Signing with the Packers in the offseason, he's been the clear-cut workhorse of the Green Bay backfield, as those behind him on the depth chart are either inexperienced or injured. His 48 carries are tied for the most in the NFL.
Jacobs is picking up 4.9 yards per attempt through the first two games of the season, though he'll face a stiff defensive front against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
Cam Akers, Houston Texans
It's Week 3 of the 2024 season and Cam Akers is a legitimate workhorse candidate in the Houston Texans backfield. Shewww...life comes at you fast.
Sounds like Joe Mixon could possibly miss even more than just this week as sources are calling him “week-to-week”
With Dameon Pierce (hamstring) also out we could be looking at multiple usable weeks of Cam Akers
He’s got an A+ matchup vs JAX in Week 4 should Mixon miss that one https://t.co/bT5VMNBXZv
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) September 21, 2024
With Texans' RB1 Joe Mixon considered extremely doubtful to play and Dameon Pierce already ruled out for Week 3 against Minnesota, Akers is the main (only) option in the Houston backfield. Dare Ogunbawale will mix in for some passing game work, but Akers will be the focal point on the ground for Houston against a Viking squad that he suited up for last year.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor's usage last week was a bit curious. After handling every single Colts running back touch in Week 1, Taylor didn't see the field in the fourth quarter with Indy trailing against Green Bay - despite averaging a ridiculous 9.6 yards per touch in Week 2.
With a tight game expected against Chicago this week, we can look for J.T.'s volume to trend closer to the norm, equating to around 16-18 total opportunities in Week 3.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Preseason reports that Kyren Williams would serve as the Rams punt returner left many scratching their heads and wondering if his role as L.A.'s lead running back was in danger following the team's selection of Blake Corum in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, the reports of Williams' demise were greatly exaggerated, as he's logged 38 total opportunities across the Rams' first two games while Corum has only seen eight garbage-time carries.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Through injuries and circumstances, Miami's De'Von Achane could suddenly find himself in a workhorse role for the Dolphins. With fellow Miami running back Raheem Mostert very doubtful and Jeff Wilson Jr. banged up - and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa knocked from the game with a concussion - Achane received an eye-popping 29 touches in a Week 2 loss to Buffalo.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel probably doesn't want his dynamic second-year star to get that type of workload against Seattle this week, but he might not have a choice, as Tagovailoa has been placed on IR while Mostert and Wilson are unlikely to be able to contribute.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
The Saints icon has been a revelation to this point in 2024. Kamara appears to be completely rejuvenated in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system, as he's run with the sort of burst and elusiveness that he possessed at the age of 25. He currently leads the NFL in scrimmage yards and TDs.
Alvin Kamara is poised for a big day against the Eagles' run defense
Kamara ranks 4th among RBs in explosive runs this season, and he'll be facing an Eagles defense that ranks 32nd in run defense efficiency, making this an ideal matchup for the Saints RB to pick up big chunks. pic.twitter.com/1vf6yrsnlI
— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) September 21, 2024
Kamara has been the clear alpha in the Saints backfield, earning 35 carries and eight targets while also being pulled from games early in New Orleans' two blowout wins. Philadelphia has been destroyed on the ground this season and has yielded 6.5 yards per carry to opposing backs through the first two weeks of the 2024 campaign.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants
It's not necessarily easy being the running back in a bad offense, but Devin Singletary has at least made the Giants' RB1 job clearly his. Singletary has garnered 31 of the G-Men's 38 running back touches in 2024 and saw all but one of the RB carries for New York last week when he rushed for 95 yards on 16 attempts.
Production will likely be hard to come by in Week 3 against a rugged Browns defense, but we do know that Singletary will get the vast majority of backfield usage for the Giants in this matchup.
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles haven't been shy about utilizing their prized offseason acquisition. Philadelphia inked Barkley to a deal with $26 million guaranteed and it looks as though the organization intends to get their money's worth out of the former New York Giant.
Barkley is third in the NFL with 46 rushing attempts, while also receiving nine targets in the passing game. He'll again be a big part of the Philly game plan in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Mason has been phenomenal while filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey. To their credit, the Niners haven't been shy about leaning on the 25-year-old running back. Mason is tied for the NFL lead in rushing attempts at 48. He's racked up an impressive 5.1 yards per carry through San Fran's first two games and will see plenty of volume against the Rams this week.
#49ers Jordan Mason is 2nd in the NFL in rushing for a reason 👀 pic.twitter.com/LROgNKgFzw
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) September 19, 2024
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
With Kenneth Walker III looking extremely doubtful for Week 3's tilt against Miami, it will very likely once again be Zach Charbonnet time for the Seahawks.
The second-year back was a true iron man in Walker's absence last week, playing all but two of Seattle's offensive snaps while handling 19 total touches. He's a legitimate dual-threat who will rarely come off the field against the Dolphins.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Many expected the Titans backfield to be near a 50/50 split between the newly-signed Pollard and electric second-year pro Tyjae Spears. However, the veteran out-snapped Spears 39 to 29 in Week 1 and 44 to 22 in Week 2.
Spears now sports a questionable tag ahead of a Week 3 matchup against the Packers after picking up an ankle injury last week. If he is out or limited, Pollard would be a candidate for a monster workload against a Green Bay defensive unit that's allowing a juicy 5.5 yards per carry to RBs this year.
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