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.
Note: See the table of all teams' HLO rankings at the bottom of this article.
The Good
49ers
A weekly tradition this season has been hailing the HLO prowess of the 49ers. They are on a historic heater in HLO terms with yet another No.1 finish. They are lapping the field on the season and have the No.1 finish the past four weeks and five of the last six weeks. In fact, only once this season have they not finished No.1 or No.2 on the week. In a season with three elite (RB1 overall worthy) running backs (Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson are the others), Christian McCaffrey is clear of the field and has scored at least 23 points in every game this season.
Chiefs
While sporting a three-headed committee, Kansas City has its offensive groove back in recent weeks. Their best three HLO finishes have been in the last three weeks, and all have been 10th or better. Isiah Pacheco is looking closer to full stretch by the week, and Brashard Smith has been rising in his involvement as a receiving option. After being 24th in the HLO the opening month of the season, Kansas City is easily within the top 10 since. The key to unlocking fantasy upside is if the three heads of the committee are pared down to two (or one) in future weeks via injury or any particular option seizing a stronger market share.
Steelers
Pittsburgh has been an HLO boon this season. Between Jaylen Warren's rise in market share and Kenneth Gainwell's clarified start back in Week 4, the Steelers are a strong backfield for optimized fantasy production. They have been 11th or better every week this season, and more than half of their game have been in the top five. Jaylen Warren has Aaron Rodgers' trust (Gainwell too), making for an easy projection for upside if either has the lead role in a given week. Starting in Week 11, Pittsburgh also has one of the best strength-of-schedule slates for running backs in the NFL.