Targets and goal-line carries are the lifeblood of quality fantasy production at running back. A starting role and high-volume carry total are nice, but when those touches happen away from the end zone, they become empty-calorie opportunities. In short, they do not mean much. However, being a starter and a high-volume back generally points to more targets and goal-line chances, which can lead to high-scoring fantasy 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
Bears
Roschon Johnson cleaning up with a quality fantasy performance in the second half of Week 6 against the Falcons is a good example of the powerhouse upside for the Chicago backfield. They have finished No.1, No.1, and No.2 in each of the past three weeks and, in the case of a positive game script, two running backs can have 15+ PPR-point upside. The Bears are firmly up to No.2 in HLO on the season and the only team within a stone's throw of the Lions at No.1. Should the Bears have clarity for an RB1 with a workhorse role due to injury, that running back can be an elite RB1 for fantasy, whether it is D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai (currently hurt), or Roschon Johnson.
Raiders
The Raiders have one of the highest floor and ceiling combinations in HLO this season. They have three weeks with a No.4 or better finish and have yet to finish worse than No.21 in a week. Ashton Jeanty has been fantasy-viable despite playing through multiple ankle injuries, and the optics of Week 6 were better than previous weeks, with Jeanty looking closer to his typical self. One concern is Dylan Laube taking away receiving opportunities from Mike Washington Jr. should Jeanty miss time, but the situation is optimal with No.4 HLO ranking on the season and some regression possible as they rank No.7 in actual HLO production.