As the 2020 NFL Season approaches, NFL training camps have come to a close. Though training camp often provides an opportunity for players on the roster bubble to stake their claim on a roster spot, there are some depth charts that perhaps haven’t yet found their starter. Let’s dive into some of the more ambiguous backfields of this altered off-season and what we can presume about the RB rotation amid the training camp buzz.
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San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert vs. Tevin Coleman vs. Jerick McKinnon
What We’ve Heard
Raheem Mostert: Mostert most recently made the news as his NFL agent, Brett Tessler, announced that his client was requesting a trade from the 49ers after talks to revise his contract terms came to a halt in early July. He’s since rescinded the request and through camp has been praised by beat reporters as looking excellent in practice. Though Mostert wasn’t a workhorse in 2019 by any means, he was the team’s most-efficient back and saw increased usage as the season progressed which is a positive indicator for 2020. His newly restructured contract reflects the potential for a continued uptick in usage with new incentives to boost his earning potential over the next two years of his deal.
Tevin Coleman: Coleman followed his former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the west coast on a two-year deal. Though Coleman led the 49ers in total touches in the 2019 season, he wasn’t able to accomplish quite as much as fellow RB Raheem Mostert. At times, he looked like a fraction of the back that he was with the Falcons, though he hasn’t been the picture of perfect health. Of all of the 49ers running backs, Coleman seems to be generating the least amount of buzz.
Jerick McKinnon: McKinnon joined the 49ers in free agency after earning himself a four-year/$30 million contract in free agency following his 2017 performance with the Vikings. However, the excitement was short-lived as he suffered a torn ACL just before the start of the 2018 season and then another knee injury heading into 2019, and now, he finally appears to be on a track of good health. Though he’s trending up, it’s reasonable for him to assume a decent role as a receiver without cutting too much into the work of the other backs.
The Spin: There are real concerns about Shanahan’s usage of the running back by committee approach, but it seems that Mostert should, at the very least, be the first one on the field.
Mostert led the 49ers backfield in 2019 with 3.5 yards after contact per rushing attempt, 29 avoided tackles and 10 total touchdowns. He has been noted as being “far and away the best back on the team,” by Kyle Posey with Niners Nation. Even though he’s also the most costly asset in fantasy drafts this offseason, he does have the highest upside of the three.
Los Angeles Rams
Malcolm Brown vs. Darrell Henderson vs. Cam Akers
What We’ve Heard
Malcolm Brown: Even though the Rams are currently featured on this season of Hard Knocks, we haven’t had much of a glimpse into the running back battle underway. Some things we do know:
- After the Rams traded up for RB Darrell Henderson in the 2019 NFL Draft, he totaled just 43 touches on the season in a span of 13 games.
- In 2019, Brown ranked second in team carries, rushing yards, and was the team’s clear-cut next man up in the red zone. He was efficient there, too, managing five scores on eight attempts inside of the five.
- So far, Brown has led first-team reps in training camp.
Darrell Henderson: Reports for Henderson had been trending positively through the offseason as he rehabbed following ankle surgery that ended his rookie season. He’s generated positive reports through camp, as McVay has cited growth as a runner, receiver and blocker under RB coach Thomas Brown. Henderson profiles as an explosive back and capable receiver that could succeed in a zone-friendly scheme like McVay’s. Unfortunately, Henderson suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s first scrimmage that threatens to keep him off of the field for the rest of camp.
Cam Akers: There may be no running back that Draft Twitter defends more fiercely than Akers, but it seems that this camp has been somewhat quiet despite the opportunity that’s just become available to him. Akers was incredibly productive in Florida State, totaling 1,369 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns his junior year, despite dreadful quarterback and offensive line play.
The Spin: Though many are excited about Akers’ talent, it isn’t easy to imagine any single back running away with the bulk of the carries too early on in 2020. Given Henderson’s hamstring injury and the fact that he’s missing out on reps, we should expect a slow start for him early on.
There is value to be had in this backfield in terms of offensive scheme and play volume, we have heard from McVay that he is interested in utilizing a committee. Given the start in camp, it’s difficult not to project exactly that. I’m saving this backfield for best ball leagues, and when I do, I’ll take each of the later round values in Brown and Henderson who may see more work as goal-line and receiving backs respectively.
Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary vs. Zack Moss
What We’ve Heard
Devin Singletary: Singletary should forever be known as the running back who could have advanced the Bills to the Divisional Round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs… if it weren’t for his then-36-year-old competition Frank Gore. The Bills totaled 465 rushing attempts and 2054 yards in the 2019 season, ranking sixth and eighth in these metrics, respectively. However, despite their dedication to the run, the team totaled just 13 rushing touchdowns on the season; Singletary accounted for just two of them.
Despite Gore’s inefficiency, Singletary still saw just two carries inside the five and 14 fewer rushing attempts on the season. Singletary has been praised by BM Brandon Beane for his progression in the offseason and improved physique, which may help him gain some more usage in goal-line situations. However, given his historical usage in that role (or lack thereof), it’s best to temper expectations in 2020. His current ADP has him being drafted a late-fourth to early-fifth round pick in half-PPR formats.
Zack Moss: Moss was drafted in the third round out of Utah where he totaled over 4,700 yards and 41 touchdowns in his four-years, emerging as PFF’s second-most highly graded rookie of this year’s draft class. Moss ran a 4.65 40-yard dash to add fuel to the fire that he doesn’t have the speed or burst to survive in the NFL, but his rave reviews in camp have told us otherwise. Beat reporters have spoken highly of Moss’ adaptation to the offense and ability to be used in all phases of the game, from blocking to rushing to receiving.
The Spin: Regardless of how you see this backfield shaping up, there are two facts that are difficult to ignore. First, there will be plenty of carries to go around. The Bills have established their team as a defensive, run-first unit and there’s no indication to believe that will change in the coming season. It’s surely within the realm of possibility that both can be fantasy relevant. Second, if you are a believer that Moss will receive more goal-line work, he’s the better value in fantasy drafts in the 10th round.
