Dynasty Deep Dive: Sophomore RBs

While examining high profile off-season winners and losers can be a fun exercise, a savvy dynasty manager knows that paying attention to each roster spot is paramount to building a contending team year after year. When it comes to the back end of a dynasty roster, managers should constantly be churning players onto and off of their squad searching for players with a realistic path to production. To be clear, none of the players discussed are worth paying a premium for.  The appeal of these players are two things. Potential opportunity and a perceived inexpensive cost to acquire. In the ever-changing landscape of the NFL, keeping up with under the radar players can help managers unearth diamonds in the rough and stay one step ahead of their league mates.

Isaiah Spiller – LA Chargers

Entering the 2022 NFL draft process, it was believed that Spiller would be among the first RBs to hear his name called. Slipping all the way to the 4^th round, Spiller landed in the high-octane Chargers’ offense. The team had been looking for a running mate for super star Austin Ekeler, and Spiller was supposed to fit the bill. Unfortunately, Spiller’s 2022 campaign was a complete disaster. Appearing in just 6 games, Spiller posted a rushing line of 18/41/0 (2.3 YPC) and caught all 3 of his targets for just 13 yards. Turning 21 years old during the 2022 pre-season, Spiller was one of the youngest players in the league during his rookie campaign. Playing for a team with playoff aspirations, the team prioritized winning games over the development of their young players, which lead to Spiller’s limited role as a rookie. Despite a poor statistical showing last season, the Chargers did not sign a running back in free agency and passed on the position entirely during the 2023 draft. Outside of Ekeler (who is currently engaged in contract dispute with the team) the current Chargers depth chart consists of Spiller, Joshua Kelley and Larry Round Tree III.  With very little competition for touches behind Ekeler, Spiller could be primed of an opportunity if Ekeler were to be traded or miss time due to injury during the 2023 season.

Keaontay Ingram – Arizona Cardinals

Another case of a sophomore running back who sparsely produced as a rookie fitting the mold for a deep stash. Registering only a 27/60/1 rushing line along with 4 receptions for 21 yards, Ingram was an afterthought for a bad Arizona team in 2022. Much like Spiller, Ingram finds himself running being an entrenched starter in James Conner. But beyond Conner, the depth chart is wide open. After passing on the position in the draft, Ingram finds himself sharing the RB room with veterans Corey Clement and Ty’Son Williams. With such minimal competition for snaps, he has a real chance to carve out a role in this backfield. Conner’s health has been a question mark throughout his tenure in the league, as he’s yet to register a full season in his 6-year NFL career. It is unlikely that Ingram ever become a household name that carriers immense fantasy value, but he’s worth monitoring and stashing on a bench in deeper leagues in case opportunity comes knocking in 2023.

Jerome Ford – Cleveland Browns

Like Spiller and Ingram, 2022 can essentially be chalked up as a red-shirt NFL season for Ford. Carrying the ball just 8 times for 12 yards and failing to catch a pass, Ford was virtually invisible a year ago.  Running behind All-Pro Nick Chubb and veterans Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, Ford’s lack of involvement during his rookie campaign was highly predictable. Fortunately for Ford, we aren’t replaying the 2022 season. What was once a crowded backfield has thinned out dramatically. With Hunt’s contract expired and Johnson moving on to Jacksonville, the thought around the league was that the Browns would bolster their depth either in the draft or in free agency. Surprisingly, the team passed on RB in the draft, and have yet to sign a back in free agency. As a result of the front office’s inactivity, Ford stands alone as the second fiddle to Chubb. While Chubb is an unstoppable force when he gets rolling, injuries have nagged him in the past and caused him to miss a combined 7 games between 2020 and 2021. If there is one thing we know for certain, it is that father time is not kind to the RB position. Chubb will turn 28 during the season and will surpass the 1,500-touch mark in 2023. Should he go down again, Ford could go from being a waiver wire afterthought to a must start back in what is expected to be a revamped offense.