Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Deciphering Murky Backfields with Justin Boone
Date: August 1, 2025
Host: Dave Kluge
Guest: Justin Boone (Yahoo Fantasy)

Brief Overview

In this episode, Dave Kluge is joined by renowned fantasy analyst Justin Boone to tackle one of the toughest preseason challenges: deciphering ambiguous NFL backfields for the 2025 fantasy football season. The discussion ranges from key RB battles across several teams, rookie sleepers and potential busts, the impact of coaching changes, how to interpret preseason camp news, industry insights, and Justin Boone’s transition to Yahoo Fantasy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Preseason Grind & Overreactions

• Busy Times: Both agree that preseason is often even busier (and crazier) than the regular season, due to camps, injuries, and rapidly changing situations.
• Reacting vs. Overreacting:
  • "People get confused...they think our busy time is the NFL season...But I almost feel like preseason is busier." (B, 01:43)
  • Caution against overreacting to minor camp injuries—teams are more cautious with the cart nowadays.
  • Remember recent examples of overreaction (Fields injury, Cam Meredith memory).

2. Breaking Down Murky Backfields

A. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones vs. Jordan Mason

• Situation: Jones, often injured, now splits with Mason.
• Justin Boone's Read:
  • Prefers Mason based on ADP and contingent upside.
  • Predicts near 50/50 split, with Mason as a possible goal line back.
  • "Could he be this year’s David Montgomery... gives you low-end RB2 or flex production with the potential for more if Aaron Jones misses time?” (A, 07:13)
• Strategy: Target Mason, but don’t fade Jones entirely.

B. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson vs. Rhamondre Stevenson

• Situation: New regime (McDaniels, Vrabel); rookie Henderson "too good to ignore".
• Insight:
  • Henderson’s pass protection boosts his role; Boone ranks him RB20.
  • Stevenson is an “overqualified backup”, may still see volume, but Henderson is just more dynamic.
  • "His pass protection skills are awesome...that is not something that’s going to take him off the field. If anything, it's something they want to have." (A, 10:37)
• Advice: Draft Henderson with confidence in the mid rounds.

C. Denver Broncos: R.J. Harvey vs. J.K. Dobbins

• Dynamic: Rookie Harvey vs. vet Dobbins; pass-pro difference matters to Sean Payton.
• Projection:
  • Harvey has more season-long upside, but Dobbins likely starts as leader and shares work.
  • Dobbins likely to get hurt, opening door for Harvey (high upside if/when that happens).
  • "Harvey is the better fantasy option...but I agree Dobbins is underrated and will have good games, especially early in the season." (A, 13:41)
  • Both backs are viable low-end RB2/FLEX picks due to Payton's schemes.

D. Jacksonville Jaguars: Etienne, Bigsby, Tootin (Three-headed backfield)

• Camp Buzz: Bigsby surprisingly running with first-team; Tootin slowed by hamstring.
• Takeaways:
  • Expect a frustrating RBBC (“really complicates it”) with no clear favorite.
  • Etienne could salvage PPR value via expanded pass-game role.
  • "I worry this is going to be kind of a frustrating committee here... especially when there’s three backs involved." (A, 18:59)

E. Dallas Cowboys: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaden Blue (+ Phil Mafah?)

• Hype: Williams had led in ADP, but Sanders and Blue now making noise.
• Consensus: Boone is out on the backfield—no strong lead back, lots of possible turnover, line injuries compound issues.
• Quote: "It just seems gross to me... I just don’t think we’re gonna get a meaningful starter from this group." (A, 21:46)
• Advice: Jaden Blue the only late dart; avoid expensive Cowboys RBs.

F. Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker vs. Zach Charbonnet

• Outlook: Clear RB1/handcuff split, both worth targeting.
  • Walker has team/coach love, but injuries make Charbonnet a premium backup.
  • "Charbonnet is one of the few backups where he is plug-and-play... I have a little more confidence in Walker leading the way." (A, 28:58)
• Strategy: Draft both at cost; Charbonnet particularly valuable as a handcuff.

G. New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy vs. Cam Scatabo (and Devin Singletary)

• Depth Chart: Tracy trended up in offseason, but Scatabo is gaining ground in camp.
• Insight:
  • Boone flips to Scatabo as “lead-back-by-a-little”, especially if Singletary isn’t in the way.
  • “If the coaching staff really likes you...there’s a chance he’s going to end up being the lead back this year.” (A, 32:45)

H. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon (injured foot), Nick Chubb, Woody Marks

• Unsettled situation, major injury concerns & odd press from coaches.
• Advice:
  • "I don’t want anything to do with any of these guys.” (B, 34:54)
  • Boone says Marks is “worth a shot” late; expects a new veteran to land in Houston if Mixon can’t go.

I. Chicago Bears: DeAndre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai

• Situation: Bears “got sniped” in draft, ended up with Swift, longstanding uncertainty.
• Outlook: Opportunity for any backup to emerge; Roschon a safer pick for 2025 usage, Monangai flashier, but less trusted.
• Quote: "Right now I have drafted probably a decent amount of Roschon Johnson... I don't think he's the league-winning type but where he's going I could see a scenario where he ends up being part of a committee." (A, 41:21)
• Concern: Swift could struggle early; Ben Johnson (OC) has never mentioned Roschon, which is a red flag.

J. Pittsburgh Steelers: Caleb Johnson vs. Jaylen Warren

• Take: Caleb Johnson likely for early downs/TDs; Warren's role as pass catcher.
• Forecast: Not a league-winning situation; still, both offer solid floor if one is sidelined.

3. Industry Wisdom and Justin Boone’s Process

Transition to Yahoo

• Boone shares excitement about joining such a big brand, looking forward to the new challenge and collaboration.
• Balancing content ramp-up with personal standards; much more to come at Yahoo this season.

Accuracy Edge & Work Ethic

• Boone attributes his edge to relentless devotion and attention to detail, not “secret formulas.”
• “The one thing I can control is that I can outwork everybody else. And I do my best to do that.” (A, 52:12)
• Acknowledges importance of being adaptable and questioning priors constantly.

Community and Relationships in Fantasy Football

• Advocates for helping new analysts, fostering camaraderie, highlights stories about late Mike Tagliere and mutual aid in the space.
• “The majority of people are like so nice and so generous with their time and so willing to help...” (A, 56:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Coach Speak and Camp Hype:
  “Because a beat writer says that a guy might have a breakout season or career year, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to have a good fantasy season.” (A, 17:14)

• On Dealing with Uncertainty:
  “I like the fact that you’re like me and you will just straight up admit if you don’t have a strong feeling about a situation…” (A, 37:36)

• On Overdrafting Favorite Players:
  “People love their favorite team and they still draft players way too high... Recency bias is the thing people overreact to.” (A, 58:58)

• Industry Ethos:
  “When I see somebody like you putting out good content, putting in the work, it fires me up and makes me want to do more.” (B, 55:02; quoting Mike Tagliere)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------| | 02:16 | Preseason overreactions & injury hysteria | | 05:33 | Minnesota Vikings RB breakdown (Jones/Mason) | | 09:59 | Patriots RBs: Henderson vs. Stevenson | | 12:38 | Denver Broncos RBs: Harvey vs. Dobbins | | 15:57 | Jacksonville Jaguars' muddled three-way RB split | | 21:38 | Dallas Cowboys RBs: Williams, Sanders, Blue | | 27:17 | Seattle Seahawks: Walker vs. Charbonnet | | 31:27 | Giants: Tracy vs. Scatabo (with Singletary in mix) | | 34:54 | Houston Texans—Mixon injury, Chubb, Marks | | 39:43 | Chicago Bears: Swift, Roschon, Monangai | | 44:32 | Steelers: Caleb Johnson vs. Jaylen Warren | | 48:13 | Justin Boone’s move to Yahoo—career/life update | | 52:00 | Boone’s “secret”: Work ethic, not formulas | | 58:54 | Most common analyst/manager mistakes: Recency & fandom bias | | 61:46 | Boone’s 2025 "Hill to Die On": Omarion Hampton’s rise |

Advice & Analysis Takeaways

• Don’t Overreact to Preseason Hype: Wait for authentic, actionable information before shifting draft ranks.
• Target Cheaper High-Upside Backup RBs: Especially in murky committees (Jordan Mason, Zach Charbonnet, Jaden Blue, Woody Marks—late).
• Skill Set Matches Matter: Pass-blocking, short-yardage, and pass-catching roles differentiate “committee” outcomes.
• Monitor Team Moves: Some backfields still expect veteran additions—Houston, Dallas, etc.
• Draft For Upside In Uncertain Backfields: Take cheaper “shots” where roles aren’t settled.
• Acknowledge Uncertainty: Sometimes the right advice is “don’t know yet”—be nimble and adapt post-Week 1.
• Don’t Get Swayed By Camp Coach Speak Alone: Look at context, track record, and match buzz with what’s visible on depth chart.

Boone's Boldest Call:

Omarion Hampton will be this year’s “Gibbs” — rising into the elite RB tier and likely a 2026 first-round fantasy pick. (A, 61:46)

"By the end of this season... we are going to view Omarion Hampton kind of the way we view Ashton Jeanty." (A, 61:46)

Where to Find Justin Boone

• Yahoo Fantasy: Rankings updates, Dynasty trade value chart, breakout/sleeper series all incoming.
• Twitter/X: @justinboone

This episode was a masterclass in navigating uncertain RB rooms, calling out the traps of preseason overreaction, and offering actionable advice for staying ahead in your drafts—all with a healthy dose of humility and industry wisdom from Justin Boone. Essential listening for anyone drafting this year!