💪 7 late RBs you MUST draft

WE ARE BACK.

It's The Touchdown Press Newsletter. Your #1 source for all things fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting, along with 10,000+ fellow degenerates.

Time to tackle Tuesday and dominate your fantasy competition!

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• Late rounders with starting upside 📈 

• Zero-RB draft day targets 🎯 

• Why this team-less back is worth it 👀 

• Up-to-date NFL team news 🗞

Elijah Mitchell (SF), ADP 123, RB41:

Despite an injury-plagued 2022, Mitchell is now in line to be Christian McCaffrey’s primary backup.

He still possesses impressive speed and burst scores, ranking close to the 90th percentile in both.

He’s got respectable efficiency. As a rookie in ‘21 he fell just short of 1,000 yards and had nice metrics:

• 17th in breakaway runs (8)

• 16th in true yards per carry (4.5)

• 3rd in opportunity share (80.8%)

• 14th in fantasy points per game (15)

Even though there’s some durability concerns, McCaffrey has them too. He touched the ball nearly 330 times in ‘22, so the Niners would be wise to limit his play and keep him healthy late into the season.

If that happens, Mitchell is a high-upside backup with the potential to excel. He has already shown his talent and could deliver significant fantasy value.

Aaron Jones (GB), ADP 53.6, RB17:

Jones's upside may be limited by A.J. Dillon's role, but there's still plenty to like at his current ADP in the fifth round. It’s late for him.

In PPR formats, he finished as the RB9 last season.

He showcased elite receiving and elusiveness:

• 9th in evaded tackles (80)

• 6th in total receptions (59)

• 9th in RB target share (13.4%)

• 15th in breakaway run rate (6.6%)

Managers seem to be scared of Jones because of Aaron Rodgers’s departure from Green Bay.

I say don't overlook him, especially in PPR leagues. He can provide consistent fantasy production and be a reliable asset for Jordan Love on check downs.

I like his PrizePicks prop of 799.5 yards. It’s nearly 300 fewer than he gained on the ground in ‘22.

Jamaal Williams (NO), ADP 126.6, RB42:

Do I think he’ll score 17 TDs again? Most likely not.

The Saints, however, need a hard runner and Williams fits the bill.

There’s no guarantee Alvin Kamara will even be on the field at the start of the season, but even if he is, his efficiency is in decline. He ranked near 50th in:

• Juke rate

• Breakaway run rate

• True yards per carry

Taysom Hill may limit the upside on Williams too, but it’s possible New Orleans is looking for a more traditional back in the red zone role.

Consider taking a late-round flyer. If Kamara's performance falters or he misses time, he’ll step into a significant role and provide fantasy value.

Keep an eye on this situation during your draft.

Jaylen Warren (PIT), ADP 139.9, RB45:

The Steelers typically employ a bell-cow back, and Najee Harris has that role locked up, but I still think there's standalone value in Jaylen Warren.

Warren himself has impressive skills:

• 5th in juke rate (40%)

• 16th in breakaway run rate (6.5%)

• 5th in yards created per touch (3.82)

• Respectable 14.7 yards per route run

Should Harris get injured again, Jaylen Warren immediately inherits that bell-cow status, elevated to Pittsburgh’s golden calf.

Warren to me is a late-round steal. He’s one of the top handcuffs in fantasy with the skills to generate his own standalone value.

Tank Bigsby (JAX), ADP 141.7, RB46:

If you read me at all in the last two years, you know I love me some Travis Etienne.

ETN is the Jaguars’ star, but Tank Bigsby has generated considerable interest.

Over the last 2 seasons at Auburn:

• 402 carries

• 2,069 yards

• 20 total touchdowns

His advanced metrics were great too (per @AndrewErickson_):

• 7th in breakaway run rate

• 11th in forced missed tackles

• 6th in yards-after-contact per attempt (4.13)

He should be on your radar as a late-round pick.

If he slides into a significant role or takes over red zone duties, his fantasy ceiling could soar. He's a worthwhile investment for your depth.

Tyjae Spears (TEN), ADP 173.3, RB53:

If you play dynasty leagues or have a long-term perspective in redraft formats, Tyjae Spears is an intriguing option for your draft.

He showed great promise as the nation’s 5th-leading college rusher in ‘22.

He also scored 21 total TDs.

Derrick Henry is obviously a beast as a runner, but he had 382 touches last season and runs with a punishing style that has to start catching up to him as he approaches 30 years old.

As such, Spears is an excellent dynasty pick and a good stash in redraft leagues.

With Henry's workload and physical style, Spears could step into a significant role if injury strikes or as a long-term investment for your team's future.

Ezekiel Elliott (FA), ADP 174, RB54:

Drafting a player without a team isn’t typically recommended.

Zeke also has the unfortunate trend of fading metrics.

However, he still had a nose for raw stats AND the end zone:

• 6th in total TDs (12)

• 13th in RZ touches (40)

• 21st in total rushing yards (876) despite ranking 32nd in opportunity share.

Basically, Elliott managed to stay fantasy relevant despite a lower percentage of carries and facing stacked fronts (6th-most).

Obviously his situation will dictate what to do with him here.

If he finds a team with need, particularly in the red zone, he can still provide value in fantasy football.

Remember, he was once a top-3 overall pick.

🐻 Bears WR in Roster Battle: Special Teams Key to His Survival

🦬 Buffalo Star’s Frustration with Offense and Play-Calling Mounts

❤️‍🩹 Lineman on AFC Contender Cleared for Training Camp After Surgeries

✍️ Cincy’s Contract Conundrum: Will Star Adjust Salary?

🏃‍♂️ Ford in the Driver’s Seat: Browns Eyeing RB Depth

😳 Falcons Lose Williams: Cordarrelle Patterson Steps Up as Return Man

🦶Rams Kicker Emerges as Starter After Competition

✨ Veteran Set to Shine in Rams' Offense, McVay Confirms

🐈‍⬛ Panthers' RB Poised for Expanded Offensive Role

How everyone in your league values their players when you request a trade:

See you tomorrow!

Stay in the end zone of success and keep slinging those fantasy touchdowns!

The Touchdown Press is a must-read for every NFL fan — pure signal, highly actionable, and one-liners funny enough to make you pee a little bit.

If this one didn’t hit the spot, reply to this email... I would love to hear from you on how you think we can do better next time.