Fantasy Football: Free-Agent Running Back Team Changes

The NFL offseason has brought on some major changes for some offenses signing NFL veteran running backs, some to major deals. But which ones will produce as fantasy players in their new offenses? A running back’s workload in these roles on their new teams will dictate their fantasy value.

Running backs have an easier time adapting to new teams because they normally will continue using their skill set (running, breaking tackles) that is seen universal across teams. On the other hand, Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers have more to learn in the passing game including route tendencies, getting on the same page reading defenses, playbook notation, and play calling.

Today, I am reviewing the prominent free-agent running backs who have changed teams. What was their previous role (pass catcher, scat-back, power runner, goal line etc) and then try to size up this same role on their new team.

Jerick McKinnon signs a 4-year, $30 million ($12 mil guaranteed year 1) deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Last season, McKinnon split time with Latavius Murray after 2017 rookie sensation Dalvin Cook got hurt in week 4. He ranked as RB 14 in weeks 5-16, a solid RB2. He ended with 201 touches and nearly 1000 total yards and five TDs.

McKinnon will take over as lead-dog in the backfield, with only 2nd year RBs Matt Breida and Joe Williams to compete. (Interesting Factoid: McKinnon and Breida both went to Georgia Southern). FB Kyle Juszczyk will also be utilized as a blocker and pass catcher. McKinnon will likely get more than the 200 touches he got in 2017 with the Vikings, but probably not the 300 touches like Hyde did last season. But he is very good in the open field, good at catching out of the backfield. He is a decent goal line back as well and can bang inside the tackles if needed.

McKinnon joins an up and coming 49ers squad led by 2nd year coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan who is considered an offensive guru has had great success with Devonta Freeman in Atlanta. Freeman is a similar size to McKinnon, they are considered “smaller” running backs. 4 of last 5 seasons, Shanny has coached a top-15 RB.

Since quarterback Jimmy “GQ” Garoppolo took over in the final 5 games in 2017, the offense looked unstoppable. I would assume this offense will continue to grind with Jimmy GQ and McKinnon will be a huge fantasy benefactor in San Francisco.

Dion Lewis signs a 4-year, $23 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Lewis is coming off another AFC championship season with the Patriots, he has been proven to be a solid rusher up the middle as well as pass catcher from the backfield. Lewis has seen his share of injuries, missing two whole seasons in in 2013 and 2014 after being placed on IR in the 2013 pre-season. 2017 was his first season playing all 16 games.

Lewis joins 2nd year RB Derrick Henry who saw some action last year behind Demarco Murray who was released. Henry was seen as a mediocre running back who broke some very long plays. Henry only got the bulk of carries when Murray was hurt in 2017. But a brand new head coach and offensive coordinator will likely bring changes to the style of one back that Malarkey used in Tennessee last season. Lewis has proven himself to be an effective runner inside and outside as well as a great goal line option for running or passing.

The whole offense will be reworked under new head coach coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur (2017 Rams OC). The new staff has stated their desire to work QB Marcus Mariota in more run-pass options (RPOs) where he thrived at in his college years at Oregon. RPOs heavily involve the run-game and passes out of the backfield which spell upside for both Lewis and Henry.

Carlos Hyde signs a 3-year, $15 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Hyde is coming off a 4 year career with some bad 49ers teams, but still remained to be fantasy relevant. Coming out of college, Hyde was seen as a potential 3-down RB, but his health held him back early in his career as a 49er. After missing 11 games in his first two seasons he only missed 3 in the last two seasons. Hyde had over 1200 total yards in each of the last two seasons, with 244 and 299 touches.

Hyde will fill the roll that was left by Isaiah Crowell, which is big bodied between tackles runner. Even though he caught over 50 balls last season, that roll will likely be relinquished to his new teammate DUke Johnson.Duke Johnson has seen the field a lot in last three seasons and leads all NFL RBs in receiving yards during that time. Hyde will not likely see 300 touches again like last season, but should be a lock for seeing 240-260 and end-zone work.

Once thought of as a fantasy obscurity, signing with the Browns this season appears to be the opposite. Carlos Hyde is joining fantasy favorites like Tyrod Taylor, Josh Gordon, and Jarvis Landry as veterans who are signing with Cleveland. Other talents for a potential high flying Browns offense are WR Corey COleman, TE David Njoku, and RB Duke Johnson.

In addition to veterans, Todd Haley joins the Browns coaching staff as OC. He also has HC experience if Browns move on from Hugh Jackson. Haley’s recent accomplishments include making Le'veon Bell one of the best RBs of our generation.

Other Fantasy Relevant RB Moves:
Isaiah Crowell / New York Jets / 3-year
-Seen as big body RB, inside tackles runner.

Doug Martin / Oakland Raiders
-Previously thought as 3-down back (always on field), but was very bad last year with Buccs.

Jonathan Stewart / New York Giants / 2-year / $6.9 million ($3 mil guaranteed)
-Coming into his 11th NFL season, probably not a lot left in his tank.
-Giants could draft Saquon Barkley.

Chris Ivory / Buffalo Bills / 2-year / $5.5 million
-Decent pass catcher, decent backup to Shady McCoy.
-Injury and fumbling issues.

Legarrette Blount / Detroit Lions / 1-year / $2 million
-Established as big body RB, inside tackles runner.
-Has 2 Super Bowl rings over last two seasons, joins former Patriots DC [???]

Jeremy Hill / New England Patriots / 1-year / $1.2 million
-Once a 3-down back (2014), now seen as pass catcher.
-Might not make the team in New England.

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Tomorrow, I will review the major Wide Receivers Free Agent moves. Also check out my blog post about Free Agent Quarterbacks.

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