Free agency brought about some big changes in the backfield of many teams. As the dust settles some backs landed in positions that may be beneficial to fantasy players while others may have lowered their draft stock this season. We take a quick look at where they stand now and what to watch for as the draft approaches and the offseason moves forward.
Derrick Henry: TEN Titans -> BAL Ravens
The Titans offensive muscle has moved on after eight seasons in Nashville. He will now line up behind Lamar Jackson and add another weapon to a potent offensive unit. Henry (like Saquon Barkley) now will not have to carry the offense on his shoulders as he has had to do for many of the years he was in Tennessee. This should lead to less chronic injuries and despite his age good numbers. He will run behind a strong offensive line and with defenses having to choose between him, Lamar, Andrews, and the athletes in their WR corps it should create opportunities for him. I can see him having a better season then last when it comes to fantasy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time to take the throne 👑 <a href="https://t.co/HpSuDzpE8X">pic.twitter.com/HpSuDzpE8X</a></p>— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1768339654724432031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Saquon Barkley: NY Giants -> PHI Eagles
If you are a Giants fan you can hate Barkley all you want to for going over to the “dark side”, but at the end of the day it was most definitely the right thing for his career and for anyone who grabs him in fantasy this year. Philly has a host of talent which will likely lead to more production out of Barkley just like Derrick Henry in Baltimore. Might he lose some goal line TD’s to the tush push…? Possibly, but with Kelce gone and Jalen’s injured knee last year they may opt to go back to a more traditional scoring strategy which would be hand the ball to Barkley and thus more points for you in fantasy.
Austin Ekeler: LA Chargers -> WAS Commanders
Though Washington might be a great place for Ekeler to end up after a rough 2023 season, it’s a bad place for fantasy owners. Ekeler will now be splitting carries with Brian Robinson who has shown how tough and punishing he can be as a rusher. In 2023 he averaged just 12.1 PPR fantasy points per game and this year that could fall further barring any injury to Robinson. It’s no doubt that the Commanders got a little better in their backfield but at an expense to Ekeler fantasy owners everywhere.
Josh Jacobs: LV Raiders -> GB Packers
Jacobs leaves Sin City and heads to Green Bay Wisconsin…quite the change of scenery. With it though comes more opportunity for him on the field and in the air. Jacobs is sure to be RB #1 in GB with the departure of Aaron Jones. He will have AJ Dillon still to share some of the load with but with an increase in passing yards most likely based on how Green Bay and Love incorporate RBs in their passing games that should make up for it.
Aaron Jones: GB Packers -> MIN Vikings
Aaron Jones is an interesting fantasy play for a few reasons (none of them being that he went to the rival team). Jones now looks like he will be the RB1 in MIN. Ty Chandler is there but at the end of the day will likely clean up when Jones needs a rest. As it stands Sam Darnold runs the offense and though that could change with the upcoming draft, either way Aaron looks to capitalize on the ground or as an easy outlet in the passing game. He will also more than likely see a lot of goal line action when the team is down there and could find the pay dirt, something that proved to be tough for him at times in Green Bay. With that said his health status will be something to watch. Coming off MCL and hamstring injuries last year and dealing with similar injuries in the past it would be my only real worry with him next season. Otherwise as a RB2 on your team he could fit nicely.
Gus Edwards: BAL Ravens -> LA Chargers
They need to feed him for him to be useful to you. That’s all I can say about Gus Edwards and your fantasy team. With new HC Jim Harbaugh at the helm the offense will get moving and the run game is sure to be a large part of that. Edwards has shown what he could do in Baltimore behind a very good offensive line. The problem is there is a chance that the Chargers aren’t done filling out the backfield and Edwards may be splitting carries. Only time will tell but as an off the bench option he is good pick up in late rounds as of now until we start to see the Harbaugh magic unfold.
Tony Pollard: DAL Cowboys -> TEN Titans
I’m a little skittish on Pollard after this move. I like Pollard a lot and think he is a great back. The move to Tennessee though now puts him next to Tyjae Spears who the Titans are very fond of. He doesn’t take up that bruising RB role that Derrick Henry held, and it will be intriguing to see how he is used there. Unfortunately, the way I see it now, I think his disappointing season last year may be a repeat this year and until something tells me otherwise, I am staying away.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> RB Tony Pollard on playing in a shared backfield with Tyjae Spears. (He's done it since college at Memphis): <a href="https://t.co/sN0uqfuPCf">pic.twitter.com/sN0uqfuPCf</a></p>— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/TDavenport_NFL/status/1768313828993913216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Joe Mixon: CIN Bengals -> HOU Texans
Joe Mixon landed in a great place. With CJ Stroud under center and Dameon Pierce struggling some last season, Mixon is the clear number 1 back in a high-powered offense. Now in the AFC South he will face weaker defenses which should make for some great fantasy numbers. Expect a rise from Mixon with good mid to low-end RB1 and high-end RB2 potential.
