The NFL is in its dormant period between minicamps and training camp, which gives us a chance to reset and focus our attention on the places where the most fantasy-relevant information will emerge, refining and improving our strategy as the high season of fantasy football drafts arrives later this summer. Given the decreasing supply and therefore increased demand for viable fantasy running backs, competition for depth chart spots and touches that are up for grabs is one of the highest priority areas to monitor. Let's dive in, shall we?
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Note: All ADPs are pulled from the Footballguys ADP Page.
Jacksonville RB1
Bhayshul Tuten (ADP: RB25) vs Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ADP: RB43)
Tuten has a head start here after a great offseason that showed progress in head coach Liam Coen's running game. A committee of some sort is the expected outcome here, but Tuten can prove that he deserves some of the passing game work over LeQuint Allen Jr. and some of the short yardage and game finishing work over free agent addition (and Coen favorite) Chris Rodriguez Jr.. Rodriguez suffered a foot injury during the offseason and had surgery, giving Tuten the opening to impress - which might not be as important as it would be on other teams given Coen's history with Rodriguez at Kentucky and glowing words after the Jaguars signed him. If the Jaguars' offense is as good as it appears to be after a hot finish last season, both players could be hits at ADP, no matter how the work is divvied up.
What to Watch For
- Is Rodriguez healthy to begin camp?
- Is Tuten getting reps in short yardage and passing game personnel packages?
- Is the Jaguars running game gelling in year two under Coen?
Pittsburgh RB1
Jaylen Warren (RB28) vs Rico Dowdle (RB32)
The Steelers curiously decided to sign Dowdle to a slightly cheaper contract than 2025 standout (and Aaron Rodgers favorite) Kenneth Gainwell, who signed in Tampa (more on that later). This will be a committee, but exactly how the work will be split and who gets the more choice cut of fantasy value-rich touches is to be determined. If last year is any indication, Rodgers' quick trigger will create a lot of PPR value. Dowdle has a history with new head coach Mike McCarthy, so he could be the preferred early-down back, but Warren has better passing-game chops and experience with Rodgers (who is a notorious perfectionist about his teammates' knowledge of the offense and his way of running it).
What to Watch For
- Who is the primary running back in passing game personnel sets?
- Has McCarthy changed his ways to embrace two tight end packages and go away from three wide receiver packages after the team signed Darnell Washington to a long-term contract?
- What is Rodgers saying about Warren and Dowdle?
- Is 7th round pick Eli Heidenreich - a Christian McCaffrey-esque player as a receiver out of the backfield - doing enough to earn a roster spot and role in the backfield, complicating the picture?
Seattle RB1
Jadarian Price (RB26) vs George Holani (RB75) vs Emanuel Wilson (RB58)
Many anointed Price as the likely lead back to begin the season, while Zach Charbonnet rehabs from February ACL surgery, with a target return in the second half of the season. He alternated first-team snaps with Holani - a former UDFA who gained trust with successful work as a third-down back after Charbonnet went down in the playoffs - while Wilson, a free agent signing from Green Bay, was sidelined for most of the offseason. Price is the best talent, but inexperienced after backing up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Holani is a shoo-in to get most or all of the passing down snaps, and could be underestimated as an early down option. Wilson was a workhorse when Josh Jacobs was hurt last year and could be the best early down/short yardage option.
What to Watch For
- Who gets snaps with the first team and in what order?
- What are the coaches saying about Price and his progress/trustworthiness?
- Who is the running back in short yardage personnel sets?
- Are there any updates on the timeline for Charbonnet's return?