Now that training camp is in full swing, backfield battles are playing out and we're getting a better idea of the kinds of roles certain running backs will play on their respective teams. Committee Meetings is here once again to fill you in on the latest developments with the Eagles, Lions, Texans, Broncos, Giants and Jets backfields. So with draft day quickly approaching, grab a sugar-free Red Bull, turn up your "Hard Knocks" playlist and get your study on!
Ryan Mathews worth a look in later rounds
DeMarco Murray | Ryan Mathews | Darren Sproles | Kenjon Barner // Eagles
Recently referred to as "freakishly athletic" and "a forgotten man", Eagles running back Ryan Mathews could provide more fantasy value this season than his current Round 12 ADP suggests. With DeMarco Murray's participation limited last week due to illness and dehydration, Mathews got additional reps with the first team offense and excited beat writers with his performance. There is no question that last season's leading rusher and No. 1 fantasy running back, Murray, is the top dog of the Eagles' backfield pack, but Mathews is in line to get his too, especially in Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer predicts a 50-30-15 split between Murray, Mathews and Darren Sproles for the Eagles this season. So if you see Mathews slipping beyond the seventh round, he's well worth taking a jab at. And for drafters who end up with Murray in the early rounds, Mathews is a no-brainer handcuff selection that you would need to consider reaching for.
Ameer Abdullah looks excellent in Lions camp
Joique Bell | Ameer Abdullah | Theo Riddick | George Winn | Zach Zenner // Lions
With Joique Bell still sidelined as he recovers from two offseason surgeries, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah is getting a real chance to show his new coaches and teammates what he's made of. And apparently, what he's made of is all kinds of goodness. In a recent report by Lions beat reporter Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press, the list of phrases used to describe the second round draft pick after the first week of training camp included but was not limited to:
So, in case you need some help deciphering all of this, Abdullah is basically set to explode onto the fantasy scene whether we're ready for it or not. Detroit's defensive coordinator Teryl Austin even went so far as to say that "We can't tackle the guy. We can't even touch him. He's like grasping at air." If the cat wasn't out of the bag yet, it sure is now. If Abdullah has a couple of highlight reel plays in the Lions first preseason game against the Jets on Thursday night, expect his ADP to skyrocket.
Montee Ball holding onto No. 2 duty in Denver
C.J. Anderson | Montee Ball | Ronnie Hillman | Juwan Thompson // Broncos
Last week, Denver coach Gary Kubiak said that he believes in the bell cow backfield approach and that if a player "can play three downs, can protect the quarterback and can handle it, then he should stay out there." This news was music to fantasy fans ears, as it basically cemented C.J. Anderson's feature back role in one of the league's top offenses, which could be more run-based than in years past. But, as we found out the hard way last season with the Broncos' backfield, it's just as important for fantasy owners to be aware of who the No. 2 and No. 3 backs are. According to the team's first preseason depth chart, Montee Ball is listed as the direct backup to Anderson and Ronnie Hillman is the No. 3 back. While Anderson will be fed the most, Ball is an intriguing late-round option at running back. He will be looking to prove himself after an injury-plagued 2014 season. He's a great handcuff stash for owners who take Anderson early, and since he's going virtually undrafted in NFL.com leagues, Ball will come at almost no cost. But as the preseason continues, don't count Hillman out just yet either.
Texans scramble to replace Arian Foster
Alfred Blue | Chris Polk | Jonathan Grimes // Texans
Arian Foster's unfortunate injury, which could keep him out for several weeks of the regular season, has created a huge opportunity for the Texans backup running backs. Sophomore Alfred Blue, former Eagle Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes are all vying for the starting job. But the fact that the Texans brought in veteran free agent Pierre Thomas last week (the sides failed to negotiate a successful deal) suggests that the team is hoping to find a Foster replacement that isn't already on the roster. Still, head coach Bill O'Brien referred to Polk as "a three-down back" whose only real concern is health (he was sidelined for some time with a hamstring injury but returned on Saturday). Blue, who averaged a paltry 3.7 ypc in the five games that he toted the rock 13 or more times last season, may provide late-round fantasy value if he can improve his skills in the passing game. But tread cautiously here as this is a backfield that remains in a state of flux while the Texans scramble to find ways to replace the irreplaceable Foster. Hopefully, HBO's "Hard Knocks" series featuring the Texans will shed some light on the situation.
Calm down, Rashad Jennings is still the Giants No. 1 RB
Rashad Jennings | Andre Williams | Shane Vereen // Giants
The panic meter hit every notch between "don't draft Rashad Jennings in fantasy" to "everyone needs to relax with all of this Rashad Jennings nonsense" in the span of about 10 hours last Friday. The panic was in regards to the 30-year-old's depth chart positon for the upcoming season. A report that Jennings was taking a majority of his practice reps with the Giantssecond-team offense and special teams sent fantasy diehards into a tailspin over his potential draft value. But later in the day, NJ.com beat reporter Jordan Raanan tweeted that he "wouldn't make too much" of the initial report and that Big Blue was just spreading the snaps around in camp. Raanan also tweeted that Jennings and Vereen were working with the first-team offense on Friday while sophomore Andre Williams was relegated to second-team duties. This sentiment was confirmed when the Giants released their first preseason depth chart on Monday, listing Jennings as the starter, Williams as his backup, and Vereen as the third-string runner. However the workload ends up getting shared, it's still likely to be an unfriendly situation to fantasy owners with all three backs getting an unpredictable amount of work. Jennings and Vereen remain the runners to target on draft day, but reaching for them is not recommended.
Ivory emerging as Jets lead back
Chris Ivory | Bilal Powell | Stevan Ridley | Zac Stacy // Jets
The Jets' backfield situation was as muddled as any of the three-headed-monster committees at the start of training camp with Chris Ivory, Bilal Powel, Zac Stacy and Stevan Ridley (recovering from an ACL tear) all in the mix for touches this season. But heading into Week 1 of preseason games, it appears that Ivory is bracing for a role that would provide more fantasy value than if he were just another member of a committee. The Jets' 27-year-old running back finished last season as fantasy's RB19 in standard scoring leagues and is looking at more of a featured role than originally expected, with whispers of him potentially being a three-down back. With Ridley working his way back from a serious knee injury, Stacy buried on the depth chart and Powell merely a third-down option, Ivory brings great value in fantasy drafts with his current Round 10 ADP.
Matt Franciscovich is an associate fantasy editor at NFL.com. His nickname around the NFL Media office is Franchise, and he's totally cool with it. If you're looking to kill some time, be sure to check out his player rankings and follow him on Twitter for fantasy advice all season long _@mfranciscovich_.
