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The first week of the NFL season had the fantasy football community in a frenzy with regard to the running back position.
What else would you expect when the 49ers suddenly declared consensus No. 1 overall pick, Christian McCaffrey, inactive for Week 1 just one hour prior to kickoff for “Monday Night Football”?
Those who wisely handcuffed McCaffrey to his backup Jordan Mason were able to dodge the bullet, and will again this week, but those who didn’t found themselves opening their season with an 0-1 record.
Since that moment, all eyes and waiver claims have been focused on the rookie RBs slated as backups to open the season.
It isn’t a matter of adding someone like Blake Corum or Bucky Irving to start for you this week.
It’s about protecting your investments at running back, a position notoriously riddled with injuries.
We saw this again with the Dolphins in Week 2.
Raheem Mostert was ruled out, and De’Von Achane was listed as a game-time decision.
Had Achane not played, rookie Jaylen Wight would have shared the workload with journeyman Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wright profiles more like a starter, while Wilson is a plodder who is best served as a short-yardage guy.
The workload we saw from Achane is a great indicator that if he or Mostert go down, Wright could have an incredible opportunity, which makes him worth the stash on your bench.
When word broke that Sean McVay wanted to use oft-injured Kyren Williams as a punt returner, fantasy managers should have immediately checked on the availability of Corum.
He didn’t touch the ball in Week 1, but we weren’t expecting him to be involved anyway.
It is what we know about McVay’s scheme and how he utilizes his running backs.
Should anything happen to Williams, Corum becomes a major fantasy asset.
The situation in Tampa Bay also warrants your attention.
Rachaad White once again showed just how inefficient a runner he is with his 2.1 yards per carry average in Week 1.
Meanwhile Irving looked strong, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry on nine touches.
White made up for it to his fantasy managers with a good showing in the passing game, but Irving is also a solid pass-catcher, having caught 87 passes for more than 700 yards in his last two years at Oregon.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has already thrown down the “ride the hot hand” gauntlet, and if White isn’t careful, he could start losing opportunities.
How you run your fantasy bench is extremely important to your success.
Betting on the NFL?
You can start a revolving door and keep chasing last week’s points by haphazardly adding and dropping the flavor of the week, but all that will do is confuse you with added lineup decisions you probably shouldn’t even be making.
Or, you can be smart and prepare for the inevitable running back injuries that happen every year.
It is up to you, but the safe money is on those who protect themselves at a very tough position to navigate.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy: and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.
