The Ultimate Zero RB Watch List provides analysis for Zero RB and RB-heavy owners alike. Blair Andrews examines the running back workloads for every NFC backfield from Week 1. Check out Shawn Siegele’s companion piece on AFC backfields.
Almost every fantasy team can use a breakout RB, whether they were drafted as a Zero-RB squad or not. The Ultimate Zero RB Watch List helps to find these breakout stars before they hit. But it also helps you understand which of the high-profile backs you should be buying and selling based on workload shifts.
We’ll use the RotoViz tools to dive deep into the Week 1 advanced stats for every NFC backfield, focusing on expected points (EP), fantasy points over expectations (FPOE), and opportunity (snaps, targets, and carries).
Arizona Cardinals
Kenyan Drake is probably fine. He surpassed expectations as a runner. But if you drafted him in the second round — or possibly in the late first round — you can’t afford for him to lose all-important receiving touches to Chase Edmonds, a back who was consistently inefficient as a receiver last year.
Week 1 was only the fourth time in Edmonds’ career he’s had positive receiving efficiency. A touchdown kept him in the black, but when you see the Cardinals throwing 14% of their passes his way, you have to take notice.
