Among the ambiguous NFL backfields, where do you see clarity to exploit the uncertainty in the market?
Phil Alexander: Kenyan Drake looks like a great value this week, especially on full-PPR sites. Jarvis Landry's departure in free-agency creates a gigantic void in the Dolphins' short passing game. Head coach Adam Gase recently stated he is planning heavy workloads for Drake, including 6-8 targets per game. If Gase stays true to his word against Tennessee in Week 1, Drake can easily pay off his middling salary. The Titans led the league in receiving yards allowed to opposing running backs by 126 yards over the next-closest team in 2017.
Will Grant: Don't look now - but Jordan Wilkins could sneak into the starting lineup for the Colts this week. Whoever runs the ball is going to see a lot of action because I don't see the Colts testing Andrew Luck to throw for 400 yards, so they're going to run the ball and probably have a lot of short passes and conservative offense. Early news has Wilkins being the starter. If that stays true, I think he's a great value pick.
Jason Wood: Royce Freeman is a fantastic option. I had zero doubts he would be the lead dog regardless of what the coaches were saying in deference to Booker. On Monday we got further confirmation of my thesis when Freeman was listed atop the official team depth chart. Freeman passed every test this preseason, and will be the Broncos offensive centerpiece.
I drafted Jordan Wilkins in a ton of season-long leagues, but I can't invest in him in Week 1; there's too much risk. I also like Kenyan Drake but the overall uncertainty surrounding the Dolphins offense, and the Titans defense, has me keeping Drake to a smaller percentage of my roster builds.
Chad Parsons: Royce Freeman has the most clarity of the previously ambiguous options, being named the starter in advance of Week 1. Peyton Barber is my favorite as Ronald Jones, the most glaring big picture threat this season, is marooned as the RB3 to open the season and Jacquizz Rodgers is one of the more pedestrian secondary backs in the NFL. Barber's biggest risk is game script going sideways on him against the Saints as a big underdog, but the cost is appealing as a low-cost RB2.
