Fantasy Football Today: Episode Summary

Episode: J.K. Dobbins to the Broncos; RBs 9-16 Debates!
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings, and guest Tyreek Hill
Description: In this episode of Fantasy Football Today from CBS Sports, the hosts delve deep into the latest developments in the running back (RB) landscape, focusing on the recent move of J.K. Dobbins to the Denver Broncos and scrutinizing the RBs ranked 9 through 16 in the consensus PPR rankings.

1. Running Backs Ranked 9-16: Arby’s Consensus PPR Rankings

The episode kicks off with a detailed examination of the running backs ranked 9 through 16 in the consensus PPR rankings. The featured players include:

• Josh Jacobs
• Chase Brown
• Jonathan Taylor
• Bucky Irving
• Ken Walker
• James Cook
• Chuba Hubbard
• Breeze Hall

Notable Insights:

• Josh Jacobs: Highlighted for his consistent performance, Jacobs has finished as a top-six running back per game in two of his last three seasons, especially when his team boasts a strong offense. “Josh Jacobs has been a reliable top-six RB, especially in high-scoring offenses,” notes Jamey Eisenberg at [03:06].

• Chase Brown vs. Bucky Irving: Brown is praised for his RB3 performance from weeks nine through 17 with an impressive 81 catches, whereas Irving, despite being RB6 from weeks 10 through 18, faces questions about his sustainability due to increased competition in his backfield.

• Jonathan Taylor: Despite fluctuating performances and injury concerns, Taylor remains a highly talented RB. “Jonathan Taylor is awesome,” Adam Aizer emphasizes at [03:46], though there are concerns about his workload consistency.

• Ken Walker: His high usage rate (76.1% of RB carries when healthy) underscores his value, but there are worries about potential workload splits and offensive line performance.

• James Cook: Noted for leading in rushing touchdowns while finishing lower in rankings, Cook's dual-threat capability is a double-edged sword. “James Cook is only the second RB in the last eight seasons to lead in rushing touchdowns yet finish lower than RB5,” Jamey points out at [05:32].

2. J.K. Dobbins Joins the Denver Broncos

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around J.K. Dobbins transitioning to the Denver Broncos with a one-year, $2.75 million deal, potential to exceed $5 million based on performance.

Key Points:

• Valuation Concerns: There’s debate over Dobbins' fantasy value due to his injury history and inconsistent performance. Adam Aizer questions the impact of Dobbins signing on RJ Harvey’s role in the Broncos’ backfield. “If you believed in RJ Harvey, you shouldn't let this sway you too much,” Adam advises at [08:24].

• Competition in the Backfield: Dave Richard highlights the increased competition Dobbins brings, comparing it to other rookie RB additions like Drone Ford and Caleb Johnson, potentially affecting their fantasy outputs. “They all have some level of competition which could be awful for them,” Dave explains at [09:38].

• Fantasy Implications: The addition of Dobbins is seen as both an opportunity and a risk, potentially pushing RJ Harvey down in draft rankings but offering depth and increased pass-catching options. “He’s been only around RB25 in full PPR projections,” Adam adds at [08:24].

3. Detailed Player Analysis

Josh Jacobs

• Strengths: Consistent high performance, strong in high-scoring offenses.
• Concerns: Potential regression due to offensive shifts.
• Quote: “Josh Jacobs is awesome,” Jamey comments at [03:46].

Chase Brown

• Strengths: High catch volume, solid RB3 performance.
• Concerns: Week-to-week performance variability.
• Quote: “Chase Brown was RB3 per game in PPR from weeks nine through 17,” Jamey notes at [03:06].

Jonathan Taylor

• Strengths: Elite rushing talent, high volume when healthy.
• Concerns: Injury history, inconsistent pass-catching, offensive system dependency.
• Quotes:
  • “Jonathan Taylor is awesome,” said by Adam [03:46].
  • “He hasn’t been as explosive in his last three seasons,” Dave adds at [37:01].

Bucky Irving

• Strengths: High PPR scoring in recent weeks.
• Concerns: Increased competition in the backfield.
• Quote: “Bucky Irving is RB6 per game from weeks 10 through 18,” Jamey states at [03:46].

Ken Walker

• Strengths: High usage rate, potential for top-tier performance.
• Concerns: Offensive line issues, injury history, snap share consistency.
• Quotes:
  • “Walker is around three pick, and I would not take Hubbard in round three,” Dave explains at [46:14].
  • “I see all the positives that you guys see, though, so consider me conflicted,” Heath shares at [48:14].

James Cook

• Strengths: Dual-threat as a rusher and receiver, leads in rushing touchdowns.
• Concerns: Finishing lower in rankings despite high touchdown count.
• Quote: “James Cook is awesome,” Jamey affirms at [05:32].

Chuba Hubbard

• Strengths: Improved performance in 2024, solid PPR scoring.
• Concerns: Previous inconsistent seasons, potential loss of workload.
• Quote: “Chuba Hubbard was RB8 per game. That’s a bit,” Jamey remarks at [04:50].

Breeze Hall

• Strengths: High yards over expected per attempt (though declining), potential as a pass-heavy RB.
• Concerns: Limited touchdowns, offensive system dependence.
• Quotes:
  • “Breeze Hall’s yards over expected per attempt has dropped,” Jamey explains at [05:27].
  • “I think he could still have RB1 potential,” Dave adds at [55:27].

4. Comparative Analysis: Running Backs vs. Wide Receivers

The hosts compare the RB rankings to the WR rankings to provide context on draft decisions.

Key Insights:

• Dave Richard: “It's easy for me, the guys before JSN, to take them over most of these running backs once we get to the JSN group,” emphasizing the flexibility in roster building at this stage [27:19].

• Adam Aizer: Suggests taking the top tier of WRs first, followed by the top RBs, indicating a strategic approach to drafting based on positional depth [27:33].

5. In-Depth Spotlight: Jonathan Taylor

A significant segment is dedicated to analyzing Jonathan Taylor’s performance trends and future outlook.

Discussion Points:

• Performance Over Years: Taylor has averaged between 7 to 10 PPR points per game in most seasons, with fluctuations due to injuries and offensive system changes.

• Offensive System Impact: Concerns about pass protection and quarterback decisions impacting his reception totals. “Will they trust him to block on passing downs?” Adam questions at [16:41].

• Potential Outputs: While Taylor is a top-tier rusher, his catch potential is inconsistent. “I think he just is one of those guys that such a great runner and gets so much work as a runner when he’s healthy,” Adam concludes [30:37].

Notable Quotes:

• “Jonathan Taylor hasn't been as explosive in his last three seasons as he was in his first two,” Jamey observes at [37:01].
• “He’s just one of those guys that's such a great runner and gets so much work as a runner when he's healthy,” Adam adds at [30:37].

6. Risk Assessment and Draft Strategies

The hosts discuss the balance between proven performance and potential upside, especially with younger RBs like Chase Brown and Bucky Irving.

Key Points:

• Safe Picks vs. High Ceiling: Jacobs and Taylor are viewed as safer, consistent options, whereas Brown and Irving offer higher upside but come with more risks.

• Injury Concerns: Players like Dobbins and Walker come with injury histories that could impact their draft value.

• Rookie Competition: The influx of rookies like Drone Ford adds competition, potentially affecting the workload of established RBs.

Quotes:

• “There’s huge upside with Chase Brown and Bucky Irving,” Dave states, balancing the discussion between safety and potential [43:23].
• “If you’re chasing maybe the higher ceiling, Brown and Irving may be better than Jacobs and Taylor,” Jamie adds at [43:23].

7. Final Rankings and Opinions

Towards the end of the episode, Brian Thomas Jr. shares his rankings, placing Jonathan Taylor and Josh Jacobs at the top, followed by James Cook and Breeze Hall.

Thomas’s Rankings:

1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Josh Jacobs
3. James Cook
4. Breeze Hall
5. Ken Walker
6. Chase Brown
7. Bucky Irving
8. Chuba Hubbard

Host Reactions:

• Heath Cummings: “I like James Cook; he is awesome and too good to fall lower,” expressing confidence in Cook’s consistent performance [63:35].
• Dave Richard: Emphasizes the safe choice with Jacobs over Taylor based on recent performance and offensive stability [38:39].

8. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter about plants and a teaser for the next episode's mailbag segment.

Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Football Today offers an in-depth analysis of the current RB landscape, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of players ranked 9 through 16 in the consensus PPR rankings. The significant discussion around J.K. Dobbins' move to the Broncos and its implications for other RBs provides valuable insights for fantasy managers looking to optimize their drafts and weekly lineups. The balanced perspectives from Adam, Dave, Jamey, and Heath ensure a comprehensive understanding of each player's fantasy potential, making this episode a must-listen for serious fantasy football enthusiasts.