The preseason is complete, and there are plenty of running back depth chart takeaways around the NFL. Here are the notable clarity and upside category scores for all 32 teams:
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Starter Injuries
Joe Mixon was the centerpiece of news after the preseason ended that he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Nick Chubb is an in-house solution, and Dameon Pierce has more buzz and appeal than in previous years if needed. Woody Marks miring down the depth chart is a moderate surprise considering his earlier Day 3 pedigree and going in Round 3 of rookie drafts back in May.
Najee Harris and De'Von Achane are the other two starters with some doubt about their Week 1 status. Harris' eye injury, dating back to the Fourth of July, has been a relative mystery with its uniqueness as a football injury. Harris' absence throughout camp and the preseason points to an expanded role for heralded rookie Omarion Hampton, even if Harris is back by Week 1 (or soon after). In Miami, Achane and primary backup Jaylen Wright are both working back from injury, leaving Ollie Gordon II as the healthiest option as of publication.
Tier 1
RB2, Biggest Benefactor Listed
- Lions: David Montgomery
- Falcons: Tyler Allgeier
- Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet
- Panthers: Rico Dowdle
- Rams: Blake Corum
- Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson
These are the premier secondary running backs who can win leagues if the starter is out for a stretch of the season. Blake Corum had some doubts about his RB2 status when the Rams drafted Jarquez Hunter in Round 4 back in April. However, Corum was consistently ahead of Hunter in the preseason and was rested last week, along with the rest of the Rams' notables, while Hunter was still active. Zach Charbonnet and David Montgomery are the most likely to have standalone value even without an injury.
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