🏈 7 RBs who could challenge CMC/Ekeler

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We’re the Saturday Morning Newsletter you can read before you watch cartoons.

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

• RB targets in rounds 2-4 🎯 

• Stars with rising opportunity shares 📈 

• Old favorites ready to take up the mantle 🏆

• Player news from around the NFL 📰 

Nick Chubb (CLE), ADP 18.1, RB7:

The situation is lining up perfectly.

Chubb was 6th in fantasy PPG in ‘22 (16.6), which is consistent with his career. He’s never been outside of the top 10 since his rookie year in 2018.

Steelers LB Alex Highsmith recently called Chubb one of the toughest guys to tackle, and the numbers bear that out:

• 4th in juke rate (40.4%)

• 1st in breakaway runs (23)

• 1st in evaded tackles (133)

So what could vault him into the overall RB1 conversation? The anticipated opportunity boost.

He was 15th in that metric last season (64.4%), but now Kareem Hunt has vacated 167 touches, and has been more of the receiving back for the Browns over the last few years.

Many of those should go to Chubb.

As long as Deshaun Watson comes into the year looking like a modicum of his old self, Chubb will have a monster year.

Saquon Barkley (NYG), ADP 15.6, RB5:

Quon is the key to the Giants’ offensive attack.

He had the 3rd highest opportunity share in ‘22 and there’s no one on the roster to seriously challenge for touches.

He finished the year:

• 6th in targets (76)

• 4th in carries (295)

• 5th in fantasy PPG (17.8)

• 6th in evaded tackles (85)

• 2nd in breakaway runs (18)

He’s just an explosive player in both the ground and air games, putting him in elite company.

Daniel Jones and the offense have improved around him as well.

The big concern is the O-line, which does have some questions, but with a steady stream of touches incoming and the immense talent, Saquon is primed to go nuts.

Tony Pollard (DAL), ADP 15.9, RB6:

Is this guy really coming up in another column? Yup.

He deserves it because he’s one of the most efficient backs.

Last year, he flipped the 34th opportunity share (48.1%) into the 8th most fantasy PPG (15.6).

How did he do it? This way:

• 5th in yards per touch (5.9)

• 2nd in yards per reception (9.5)

• 4th in yards per route run (1.82)

• 4th in breakaway run rate (8.8%)

• 8th in yards created per touch (3.30)

Fantasy managers should be excited about what Pollard will do now that he’s alone in that Dallas backfield.

Considering Elliott had 12 rushing TDs on his own last season, I’m banking on Pollard to get MORE THAN 8, listed on PrizePicks.

Breece Hall (NYJ), ADP 32.7, RB11:

I understand that knee recovery can be tricky, and Breece might start the year a little more slowly than we’d like.

However, his rookie year was going splendidly before the injury:

• 1st in juke rate (50.5%)

• 1st in yards per touch (6.9)

• 2nd in breakaway run rate (11.3%)

3rd in yards created per touch (4.32)

Before the injury he was fantasy RB6.

Aaron Rodgers targeted his top backs 87 times in Green Bay last year, so he could hold the key to unlock Breece as well.

If he is able to get going early, he may just get there.

Derrick Henry (TEN), ADP 21, RB8:

A little older to challenge for RB1? Maybe.

But we’ve all seen this guy punish defenders with his body type and style. I still like watching his highlights.

By the way, did you see the clip of Coach Vrabel answering the question of how many 5-year-olds could tackle Henry?

The Titans just keep feeding him. He had an 83% opportunity share in ‘22, and was 1st among all RBs with 349 carries.

We all know he was 2nd in total rush yards (1,538), but his receiving chops are actually underrated:

• 1st in yards per catch (12.1)

• 1st in yards per route run (3.02)

• 9th in total receiving yards (398)

Big Dog is the Titan workhorse as long as he stays healthy, and he’s still got the talent to push for the top spot.

R. Stevenson (NE), ADP 31.7, RB12:

There isn’t as much hype around him as last summer.

But he finished as RB7, and Damien Harris has gone to Buffalo, taking 123 touches with him.

That leaves a nebulous backup situation, making it pretty much Rhamondre’s backfield to dominate.

He’s got the chops in the passing game:

• 4th in receptions (69)

• 7th in receiving yards (421)

And he can move as well as anyone, while plowing tacklers:

• 3rd in juke rate (40.5%)

• 6th in breakaway runs (15)

• 3rd in evaded tackles (113)

• 6th in yards created per touch (3.43)

The Patriot offense isn’t keeping many defensive coordinators up at night, but it WILL be more efficient after upgrading from Matt Patricia to Bill O’Brien this year.

All said, Rhamondre could take a major leap forward.

Jonathan Taylor (IND), ADP 23.7, RB9:

I acknowledge the conflict with the team and the drama that comes with such things.

However, I’d be remiss not to include JT here.

He was the consensus first overall pick in ‘22 until his ankle snapped, and was a BEAST the year before when he was 1st in:

• Carries (332)

• Rushing yards (1,811)

• Total touchdowns (20)

• Red zone touches (92)

• Fantasy points per game (21.9)

The Colts are turning to a rookie QB.

Anthony Richardson’s presence will create both a need for the team to lean on their running game, and a preoccupation from opposing LBs, as he’s one of the more athletic guys out there.

Shane Steichen’s attack worked for an athletic QB in Philadelphia, and his RBs still scored 18 TDs.

That bodes well for JT’s fantasy outlook, and his potential to finish high once again.

🤕 Seahawks WR Resting In Concussion Protocol

💼 Kareem’s Hunt Leads Him to Minnesota

🦵 Relief for Raiders in Davante’s Injury Scare

📝 Lions Extend WR Raymond For Two Years

🏃‍♂️ Sermon Surging Past Scott in Eagles’ Camp

👋 Saints Trim WR Corps; Bid farewell to Coutee

💥 Tank Explodes! Rookie Dell Dazzles Texans

🏈 Rookie Charbonnet Impresses with Physical Tools

🏃‍♂️ Williams dashes onto Raiders Amid Jacobs Watch

😳 Rookie RB Jumps Out In Preseason Game for Vikes

Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Only two weeks to go for all the college football fans out there. I can hear those betting apps firing up already!

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