Backfield Chaos Rankings: 5 Most Unclear RB Situations! Cowboys, Chiefs, Giants, & More! (05/08 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: Backfield Chaos Rankings – 5 Most Unclear RB Situations!

Release Date: May 10, 2025

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, hosted by CBS Sports' Adam Aizer alongside analysts Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings, the team delves into the most perplexing running back (RB) situations heading into the 2025 NFL season. Focusing on five teams with uncertain backfield dynamics—New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys—the analysts provide in-depth rankings, insights, and projections to aid fantasy football enthusiasts in making informed decisions.

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1. New York Giants – Tyrone Tracy vs. Cam Scatterboo

Featured at 01:17

The New York Giants' RB situation lands at Number 5 on the chaos rankings. Adam Aizer discusses the complexities surrounding late draft pick Tyrone Tracy and the recently drafted Cam Scatterboo.

Adam Aizer [01:17]: "Tyrone Tracy, a late draft pick from 2024, had some good performances but struggled with fumbles. We drafted Cam Scatterboo, who might outperform Tracy both as a rusher and a passer."

He highlights Tracy's initial promise marred by inconsistencies and Scatterboo's potential to surpass expectations. Heath Cummings weighs in, suggesting that caution might be warranted when drafting either player.

Heath Cummings [02:02]: "Obviously no one's drafting Singletary but you'd still take Tracy ahead of Scatterboo."

However, Adam Aizer counters by presenting his projections, indicating a close competition between the two.

Adam Aizer [02:08]: "I've got Tracy projected at 178 carries and 49 targets versus Scatterboo's 183 carries and 22 targets. It’s a tough call, but I might lean towards Scatterboo."

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2. Kansas City Chiefs – Isaiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, & Brashard Smith

Featured at 03:08

Securing the Number 4 spot, the Kansas City Chiefs' RB backfield is described as a "full-blown committee." Adam Aizer breaks down the roles of Isaiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and Brashard Smith.

Adam Aizer [03:08]: "Pacheco is the lead back, Hunt handles short yardage, and Smith is poised to become the pass-catching back by midseason."

He emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding each player's role, especially with Pacheco's recovery from a leg injury affecting his performance.

Heath Cummings [04:23]: "Last season, Pacheco averaged 16.2 carries per game and had significant involvement in the passing game. If he stays healthy, he could be a workhorse RB."

Adam Aizer challenges Heath's negative view of Kareem Hunt, highlighting his specialized skill set.

Adam Aizer [05:28]: "Hunt has a great skill set for pass protection and short yardage. I’m not concerned about his role, but how he integrates with Mitchell and Smith."

The Chiefs' dynamic creates unpredictability, making their RB situation a critical point of analysis for fantasy managers.

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3. New England Patriots – Ramandre Stevenson vs. Trevion Henderson

Featured at 07:20

At Number 3, the New England Patriots' RB duo of Ramandre Stevenson and Trevion Henderson presents a strategic dilemma. Adam Aizer posits two potential scenarios for their usage.

Adam Aizer [06:35]: "Stevenson could lead in rush attempts while Henderson dominates passing downs and targets. Alternatively, Henderson might take over the entire load if he proves superior."

Heath Cummings expresses optimism about Henderson's versatility and Henderson’s ability as a pass protector.

Heath Cummings [07:20]: "Henderson was a major competition in college and has the skills to be a three-down back, potentially taking over the backfield if Stevenson doesn't dominate."

The Patriots' approach to balancing both runners could significantly impact their fantasy football value, depending on how roles are ultimately defined.

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4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, & Basil Tootin

Featured at 07:30

The Number 2 rank is awarded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the RB carousel includes Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and Basil Tootin. Adam Aizer expresses skepticism about the likelihood of any one player securing a dominant role.

Adam Aizer [07:30]: "None of these guys are clear favorites. I’m planning on moving Etienne down in my rankings next time because the new coaching staff doesn’t seem to favor him as much."

He discusses the potential for Basil Tootin to emerge as a key asset midseason, though noting the risks associated with rookie RBs.

Adam Aizer [08:18]: "Tootin was a day three pick and might not live up to expectations, but there's still upside if he can outperform in the latter half of the season."

Heath Cummings concurs, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the Jaguars' RB depth chart.

Heath Cummings [08:27]: "Scatterboo were early round four on day three, similar uncertainty persists here."

The Jaguars' evolving RB situation underscores the volatility and potential high-reward scenarios valuable in fantasy strategies.

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5. Dallas Cowboys – Javante Williams, Miles Sanders, Jadon Blue, & Phil Is It

Featured at 08:44

Topping the list at Number 1, the Dallas Cowboys' RB lineup is the most enigmatic. Adam Aizer outlines the extensive depth with five RBs, none of whom have firmly established themselves as starters.

Adam Aizer [08:44]: "We have Javante Williams, Miles Sanders, Jadon Blue, Phil Isit, and Deuce Vaughn. None stand out as starting-caliber RBs currently."

He points out that while these players might not be primary options, their potential for touches keeps them relevant in fantasy leagues.

Adam Aizer [09:00]: "You don’t need a starting RB to be fantasy relevant if they get enough touches. However, these players are all available and very cheap, so you can take a gamble without much risk."

Heath Cummings summarizes the Cowboys' situation, indicating caution but acknowledging the potential for value picks.

Heath Cummings [09:45]: "These RBs are at the lower range but could provide depth without heavy investment in your draft."

The Cowboys' RB uncertainty presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario, ideal for fantasy managers looking to exploit low-cost, high-potential options.

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Conclusion

Featured at 09:45

As the NFL season approaches, the Fantasy Football Today team emphasizes the importance of monitoring these unclear RB situations. Each featured team presents unique challenges and opportunities:

• Giants: Balancing between Tracy and Scatterboo.
• Chiefs: Navigating a multi-faceted RB committee.
• Patriots: Determining the primary back between Stevenson and Henderson.
• Jaguars: Assessing the potential of Etienne, Bigsby, and Tootin.
• Cowboys: Exploring depth and opportunities among five RBs.

By understanding these complexities, fantasy managers can make strategic decisions to gain an edge in their leagues.

Heath Cummings [09:45]: "Those are the five most unclear running back situations as of May 8th. Have a wonderful weekend and a great Mother's Day and we'll talk to you next week on Fantasy Football Today."

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Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and focuses solely on the content discussed by the hosts and analysts.

Transcript

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[Heath Cummings]

18 + DNC supply five backfields that look a little chaotic right now. We're not sure what to make of it. We'll tell you on FFT Express. All right, Heath is here with five unclear running back situations so we'll go 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Give me number five.

[Adam Azer]

This could have easily been 10 or maybe even 15, but I will start with number five. I know my host, it's the New York Football Giants with Tyrone Tracy, a late draft pick from 2024 who had some good performances, had some fumble problems and was probably better as a rusher than we expected and worse as a pass catcher than we expected. The team went out and drafted Cam Scatterboo who I think might be better as both a rusher and a passer than Tracy. But it's it's two young running backs, a coaching staff that must win this year and I have no real certainty. And I should have mentioned also Devin Singletary is there and Trey.

[Heath Cummings]

Obviously no one's drafting Singletary but you'd still taking Tracy ahead of Scatterboo.

[Adam Azer]

I don't want to know. So I I currently in the projections have Tracy projected higher. It seems like Tracy usually goes first. If I see Tracy go I will draft Scatter Boo but I I would rather take a chance on Scatter Boo as of right now and I maybe that helps too. I'll like tell you what I've got for projections. I've got 183 carries and 22 targets for Scatter Boo. I've got 178 carries and 49 targets for Tracy.

[Heath Cummings]

Okay, don't draft anyone then. This could be a backfield you just want to avoid. But I do think that history says that fourth round pick is probably not going to be the main guy week one. I think Tracy will have his opportunity. We'll just see how he does with it. I think this could be a backfield to avoid. Who's number four?

[Adam Azer]

It's the Kansas City Chiefs. Let's just stick with the theme of being homers. No, this backfield you've got Isaiah Pacheco, who, I mean 18 months ago, 12 months ago, even we would have thought there's no way these other guys are competing with Pacheco for the job. But he broke his leg, didn't look the same at of last year. Hasn't really like even throughout his career had a very large sample size where they trusted him to be anywhere close to a feature running back. He's had somebody working in short yardage sometimes. He's had somebody working on passing down sometimes on the roster right now the Chiefs also have Kareem Hunt who was their best running back last year. They added Elijah Mitchell from the 49ers who's been very good whenever he's healthy and gotten opportunities. And they drafted and you talked about 5th round running backs don't usually become starters. Brashard Smith in round seven and there's a lot of chatter about him hopefully playing the Jerick McKinnon rule. So this may just turn into a full blown committee where Pacheco is the lead back, Hunt is the short yardage back and Brashard Smith by mid season is the pass catching back. And you don't really want any of them, but there's too much upside in this offense to do that. So Pacheco gets drafted in round seven and everybody else is a late round afterthought.

[Heath Cummings]

Okay, I, I am hopeful and I think I'm just gonna be getting a lot of Isaiah Pacheco. I really don't factor in what he did after the broken leg. Last year's broken leg. Yeah, you know, obviously just wasn't healthy. Andy Reid said as much. Last six games of 20, 23, he averaged 16.2 yards, 16.2 carries per game. And then in the playoffs, 24, 15, 24 and 18 carries. Week one, 15 carries, week two, 19 carries. So I do think that they obviously were turning to him as a workhorse running back. And enough catches, by the way, in those games, too. I mean, you had a kind of a lot of catches, you know, So I love the role. If this is another one where I just feel like if he's good, he's going to have a really good year. If he struggles, then, yeah, we could have some problems here. But I don't look at anyone else in that backfield. Teeth is as major competition, especially Kareem Hunt. I mean, it would be really a travesty if they use Kareem Hunt a lot this year. Like, he's one of the worst running backs in the NFL.

[Adam Azer]

I'm sorry, he's just, he, I don't, I, I, I would disagree with that. He has a skill set that's very good at certain things. I think he's really good at past protection. I think he's really good at short yardage. And I'm not really concerned about anyone. I think it's unlikely that Hunt is the lead back again for the Chiefs, but I am very concerned that Hunt and either Mitchell or Smith both have a role.

[Heath Cummings]

All right, let's go. Take a break here and we'll get to 3, 2, 1 after this on FFT Express.

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[Heath Cummings]

Giants at 5, the Chiefs at 4. What's the third most unclear backfield right now?

[Adam Azer]

So I think you could choose any of the ones where the rookies were drafted, but the one that is the most unclear probably is Ramon Dre Stevenson and Trevion Henderson in New England. Stevenson has had flashes where he's looked like a good runner. He's had seasons where he got a lot of targets. I am hopeful that the thing that makes the most sense is what the Patriots do, and that is that Ramon Dre Stevenson leads the team in rush attempts and Travion Henderson dominates passing downs and targets. That would make sense to me, but they do have a history of throwing it to Stevenson a lot. Henderson's got to earn the role and I think there is an outside chance. They've said they view him as a three down back. There's a chance he just takes the whole darn thing from Ramandre Stevenson and is the second best rookie running back.

[Heath Cummings]

Yeah, that would be great. I'll get greedy and hope he leaves the team in carries and gets all that passing work. And very good pass protector Trayvon Henderson in college. Anyway.

[Adam Azer]

Number two, it's the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's Travis etn. It's Tank Bigsby. It's Basial Tootin. I don't none of these guys can I don't think really been be viewed as the favorites. I'm planning on moving ETN down in my rankings the next time that I add him. There's been some talk or that I update them. There's been some talk that ETN is not really a favorite of the new coaching staff. Bigsby was very good as a rusher last year. Tutin is another. He was a day three pick. Right. Another day three running back that may. There's a possibility that he takes this backfield over by mid season. There's a possibility that he is just completely worthless as a round two rookie draft pick also because often running backs taking day three or yeah he and.

[Heath Cummings]

Scatter Boo were very early in round four on day three. All right, so Giants five, Chiefs four.

[Adam Azer]

Who is Patriots three?

[Heath Cummings]

It's three. Jaguars two. Ooh. I've got a guess for number one but I'm not going to tell you what it is until you tell me what.

[Adam Azer]

Why don't you just guess. I've got it written down so if you, you, you guess.

[Heath Cummings]

It just doesn't feel like. It doesn't feel on brand for you. Okay, I'm gonna go with the Cowboys.

[Adam Azer]

Cowboys are most definitely the most uncertain backfield at this point. I'm not so sure that the cat, the starting running back for the Cowboys is even on the team right now. But they've got Javante Williams, they've got Miles Sanders, they drafted Jadon Blue and Phil Is it Mafa like they've. They've got a. They still have Deuce Vaughn on the roster. They've got five running backs on their depth chart. None of them look like starting NFL running backs to me at this point but absolutely. We didn't think Rico Dowdle was really a starting running back two years ago or a year and a half ago and he, he isn't any longer. He's a backup again. So you don't necessarily have to be a starting caliber running back to be fantasy relevant if you end up with a bunch of touches. Now a lot of times these guys end up in the Zemir White range where we boost them up too much because of lack of competition. That's not happening with any of these guys. They're all available, very cheap. Javante is still my favorite for now.

[Heath Cummings]

All right, that is Heath Cummings, I am Adam Azer, and Those are the five most unclear running back situations as of May 8th. Have a wonderful weekend and a great Mother's Day and we'll talk to you next week on Fantasy Football Today.

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