Week 6 Fantasy Football RB Snap & Touch Report: Can Ray Davis, Tyrone Tracy, Tyler Allgeier Become Weekly Contributors?
Morgan takes a look at important usage numbers for fantasy football running backs coming out of Week 6.
Week 6 is in the books and all the stats have been processed, so now it’s time to go over some notable usage numbers.
We’ll touch on every team’s running back situation after already looking at some usage figures for pass catchers. We’ll skip the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins and Vikings as they were on bye weeks. The Cowboys and Bears are on byes this coming week.
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Patriots
With Rhamondre Stevenson out, Antonio Gibson led the Patriots’ backfield. He struggled to get going, as did backups JaMycal Hasty and Terrell Jennings.
Expect Stevenson to keep leading the backfield when he returns, with Gibsons serving as the top backup. Play matchups when deciding whether to play a New England back.
Jets
Breece Hall dominated the backfield and had his best game of the season. He’s a must-start in all formats.
Braelon Allen only played 12 snaps and got three touches. He might only be a handcuff to Hall now.
Bills
James Cook missed week 6, allowing Ray Davis and Ty Johnson to step into the spotlight. Davis had a big game and should get a little more work when Cook returns.
This is still Cook’s backfield though, so I wouldn’t expect Davis to become a major fantasy asset this season.
Ravens
Derrick Henry got 24 of the 26 backfield touches in week 6 and turned in another monster fantasy outing. He’s maybe the fantasy MVP right now.
Justice Hill only got two touches across 26 snaps, showing how risky of a starting option he is across any league type.
Steelers
Najee Harris was easily the top fantasy back from the Steelers last week, but he also only played six more snaps than Jaylen Warren.
This could become a split backfield, like it’s been in the past, now that Warren is healthy again.
Bengals
Chase Brown got 12 touches to seven for Zack Moss, while playing nine more snaps, 33-24.
The Bengals’ backfield might belong with Brown now, although I still expect the two backs to get a decent amount of work each week.
Browns
Jerome Ford got hurt, allowing Pierre Strong and D'Onta Foreman to split the backfield in week 6. We’re still awaiting the return of Nick Chubb too, meaning this is a backfield to avoid until we get clarity on which back is going to lead the way.
Texans
Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce returned and got 24 of the 28 touches. Mixon is back to being a must-start fantasy player, while Pierce could be a flex option or starter in deeper formats in the right matchup.
Titans
Tyjae Spears got injured, which allowed Tony Pollard to dominate the backfield. Pollard is a good starting option if Spears is out for a game or two.
Colts
Jonathan Taylor missed another game, so Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson split the backfield. Expect the same to happen if Taylor is out again.
If Taylor returns, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Colts play Sermon and Goodson a bit more than they were earlier in the season.
Jaguars
Travis Etienne was injured in the team’s loss in London, but it didn’t lead to a big game for Tank Bigsby. In fact, D'Ernest Johnson ended up leading the team in touches and was the more efficient player.
I’d expect Bigsby to lead the way if Etienne is out, but also wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnson get a decent amount of work. That makes neither very good starters in standard leagues.
Broncos
It was a split backfield in Denver in week 6, with Javonte Williams at nine touches and Jaleel McLaughlin five. Audric Estime made his debut and got two touches.
This is another backfield to avoid at all costs, at least until we have some clarity on the pecking order for touches.
Raiders
Zamir White missed week 6, so Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah carried the backfield. Expect the same to happen if White misses more time.
If White returns, I’d try to avoid playing any of the three Vegas backs.
Chargers
J.K. Dobbins dominated the backfield, while Kimani Vidal made his debut and was the top backup as Gus Edwards missed the contest.
Expect Dobbins to remain the lead back in Los Angeles, but for Vidal to maybe start stealing snaps and touches. At the very least, Vidal may take over the top backup role from Gus Edwards.
Cowboys
Rico Dowdle led the Dallas backfield, but in a blowout loss, wasn’t very effective, or utilized. Ezekiel Elliott actually outsnapped him 28-19.
I still think Dowdle is the top back in Dallas, and wouldn’t put much stock in this showing. Make your start/sit decision on Dowdle based on his defensive matchup.
Giants
Devin Singletary missed another game, which allowed Tyrone Tracy Jr. to be the lead back again, and he delivered again. Eric Gray was the backup, but only got three touches.
Expect Tracy to keep leading the way if Singletary misses more action. I’d guess Singletary and Tracy split the backfield when both are healthy, with Gray falling out of the picture.
Commanders
Brian Robinson missed the game, so Austin Ekeler led the way and Jeremy McNichols backed him up.
I’m really curious to see how the backfield shakes out when all three guys are healthy. If they are all active this week, it will be tough to determine who to start.
Eagles
Saquon Barkley dominated the backfield again, but had his worst fantasy showing of the season. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith returned to the field together for the first time since week 1, and now some are wondering if Barkley’s fantasy value will take a hit as a result.
Packers
Josh Jacobs was the clear leader in the backfield, with Emanuel Wilson serving as the backup.
Jacobs is close to being a must-start player, but I’d say to be wary of tough matchups still.
Bears
D'Andre Swift had another nice showing in week 6, and he’s clearly the top back in Chicago. You can safely start him for now.
Roschon Johnson is the top backup, but is just a handcuff to Swift for the time being.
Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery continued their strong 1-2 punch in week 6. Keep starting both guys in all formats each week.
Falcons
There might be a committee in Atlanta again, as Tyler Allgeier had one more touch than Bijan Robinson in week 6. Both were great fantasy options against a bad defense, and I’d keep starting them both against average or favorable matchups.
Buccaneers
Rachaad White missed the game with an injury, and in a blowout win, Sean Tucker was actually the most-utilized running back over Bucky Irving.
I still think Irving and White will lead the backfield, but it’d be hard for the team to not play Tucker some now after his big game. This backfield could become a mess in a hurry.
Panthers
Chuba Hubbard continued to dominate the Carolina backfield and will do so until Jonathon Brooks is ready to go.
Saints
Alvin Kamara is still the clear lead back in New Orleans. Kendre Miller could become the top backup when he is ready to step on the field.
Seahawks
Kenneth Walker got 22 touches and 54 snaps to just six touches and 24 snaps for Zach Charbonnet. Start Walker confidently each week, while avoiding Charbonnet if possible - he could be a flex option in super favorable matchups.
49ers
Jordan Mason got hurt on Thursday night, which left him and Isaac Guerendo tied with 10 touches each by the end of the game. Patrick Taylor got six touches.
Mason will remain the lead back until Christian McCaffrey is back, but Guerendo would likely lead the way if Mason misses week 7. Taylor wouldn’t have much fantasy upside even as the top backup.
Cardinals
James Conner led the Arizona backfield with 11 touches, but he lost nine touches to Emari Demercado and five to Trey Benson in a game the Cardinals trailed throughout.
I think this was more of a one-game outlier than a sign of things to come, but it’s worth monitoring going forward.
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