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.
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).
Baltimore Ravens
We all knew it was only a matter of time before Mark Ingram lost his stranglehold on this backfield. Sure enough, 303-pound fullback Patrick Ricard was Lamar Jackson’s go-to target in the end zone, converting his one target for a touchdown and ending as by far the best receiver in this backfield.
In all seriousness, Ingram did actually lead the backfield in EP, but Gus Edwards was more involved than in Week 1, and Ingram was only on the field for seven snaps more than Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins is the playoff hammer you want to own here.
Buffalo Bills
Although it looked in Week 1 like Zack Moss was going to come in and take over the high-value targets and red-zone touches in this backfield, Devin Singletary proved in Week 2 he won’t be so easily replaced, as Moss was not targeted at all. Now there’s news indicating Moss is dealing with a toe injury, potentially giving Singletary more opportunity to dominate touches. Unfortunately this is starting to look like it may be a frustrating backfield on a week-to-week basis. But it’s also possible both backs could have value on the same week.