Running Back Roulette: Preseason Week 3

Photo: Joe Camporeale, USA Today Sports

The first installment of this series set the table for the backup running back landscape, plus notable starting roles to track in the weeks leading up to Week 1. With two weeks of the preseason behind us, the start of the regular season is within reach. Also, next week marks a critical span for waiver wires with NFL roster cutdowns, practice squad designations, and notable running backs changing teams. Here is a full recap of adjustments out of preseason Week 2:

RB2 Stabilization

Jerome Ford is not yet back to full health, but a positive sign is developing for Ford as the clear RB2 for Cleveland is the lack of additions. With Ford out, the Browns have leaned on Demetric Felton and Hassan Hall in the preseason and added Jordan Wilkins as a camp body. This points to Ford being healthy for Week 1 or a Nick Chubb monster workload for a week or two, with Felton and possibly Hall having minimal RB2/3 roles until Ford is back. Outside of Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt being signed, Ford is a more stabilized RB2 open by the day.

Joshua Kelley has maintained his edge over Isaiah Spiller in both weeks of the preseason, continuing his trend as the RB2 for the Chargers last season. The split could be strong enough that Kelley is not an elite injury-away option if Austin Ekeler misses time, but being the 1A in a big-time Chargers' offense is enough to be worth holding from now on.

Tank Bigsby had a breakout game...in the preseason. While all of Jacksonville's notable offensive players rested this week, Bigsby was notably playing. While he is trending towards the stabilized RB2 on the depth chart, do not discount JaMycal Hasty's panache for passing game and change-of-pace work, and Travis Etienne is the clear starter, outside of injury, for the foreseeable future. If other teams in a dynasty league view Bigsby as worth a future 1st or as a challenger to a healthy Etienne's lead role, capitalize on that sentiment in the trade market. On an ancillary note, monitor D'Ernest Johnson for greener pastures situationally if he is released. Johnson is a quality talent and yet buried in Jacksonville.

Tank Bigsby was a highlight for Jacksonville in the Footballguys Need to Know information for this week.

Tyjae Spears is rising by the week in Tennessee. Hassan Haskins looked like just a guy last year and more of the same this August. Spears has burst, and the RB2 role is minimal in-season with Derrick Henry blocking out the opportunity sun when healthy. Consider Spears the heavy favorite to be the RB2 'answer' and Haskins trending towards being an easy fantasy cut soon, if not already.

Keaontay Ingram returned to the rotation this week and put Corey Clement firmly behind him. Clement warranted a pickup over the past two weeks, but Ingram is the easy favorite heading toward Week 1. Clement can be churned back to the waiver wire with minimal risk as he possesses no name cache and was still out there a bunch even when the possibility of being the RB2 was within reach earlier this month.