A few weeks ago, we talked about the sad state of fantasy running backs. Week 11 may be the ultimate lowlight. Only two running backs rushed for more than 90 yards (Josh Jacobs, 109; Isiah Pacheco, 107). Only six running backs scored more than 20 fantasy points; three of them – Tony Pollard, Jamaal Williams and Samaje Perine – are their team’s backups.
Especially in PPR leagues, running back is now an afterthought. Pollard, who was the highest-scoring running back in Week 11 with 189 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns, had the same number of carries (15) as Ezekiel Elliott in the Cowboys’ rout of Minnesota. Williams, the RB2 this week, gets the goal-line carries for Detroit but had a total of 17 carries against the Giants mainly because D’Andre Swift still isn’t 100% healthy (heck, third-string back Justin Jackson had nine carries for a team-leading 66 yards in the game). Perine scored three receiving touchdowns in Pittsburgh, two of which came after starter Joe Mixon left the game with an injury.
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Maybe Week 11 was an aberration. Two of the more productive backs this season, Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce, combined for less than 10 fantasy points. Two other valuable backs, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker, had byes.
