Targets and goal-line carries are the lifeblood of quality fantasy production for the running back position. The starting role and receiving a high volume of carries are nice, but not near the end zone makes those touches empty-calorie opportunities. In short, they do not mean much. However, being a starter and high-volume back generally points to receiving more targets and goal-line chances for high fantasy-scoring plays. This weekly feature analyzes all 32 NFL depth charts for underrated and overrated running backs.
- Change: Shift in Team Ranking Overall From the Previous Week (Beginning after Week 2)
- Current RK: Team Ranking in Expected High-Leverage Opportunity PPR Points
- Last: Previous Team Ranking (2022 final ranking in this edition)
- HLO: High-Leverage Opportunity Score Average Per Week
- GL: Rank in Goal-Line Carries (Inside the Five-Yard-Line)
- TGT: Rank in Team Running Back Targets
The Good
Dolphins
After being the No.1 HLO backfield in 2023, Miami is back to its elite ways to start 2024. The shift in the backfield was De'Von Achane as the RB1, with Raheem Mostert taking a backseat to the lead role, especially in the passing game. The Dolphins had a down game on offense in general and still were top-10 in goal line and running back targets for the week.
Ravens
The competitive game with a negative game script aided their target volume for the running backs, especially Justice Hill. Derrick Henry will have plenty of better game scripts in future weeks and has survived and thrived with low routes, targets, and HLO situations for years in Tennessee. Baltimore will be a regression team to watch in the coming weeks as they consistently have been mired in the bottom tier of HLO teams during the Lamar Jackson era.
Saints
The demise of Alvin Kamara during the offseason was overblown, at least for Week 1. The Saints blew out the Panthers (a matchup to overtly target going forward), and after the No.2 HLO finish in 2023, the Saints (and Kamara) are off to a torrid start again in 2024.
Giants
The Giants are a poor offense overall, but HLO can benefit truly poor teams consistently in trail mode late in games. They were a strong target team in Week 1 in the blowout loss to the Vikings. Goal-line chances will be difficult to collect on the struggling Daniel Jones-led offense for Devin Singletary, but voluminous targets late in games can keep Singletary on the RB2 radar.