Rising Rushers: RBs Whose Fantasy Stocks are Going up

James Cook, RB Bills
Already locked into the primary pass catching back role in the Bills’ offense – Nyheim Hines is out for the year with a knee injury – Cook is already predominantly working as the top back in camp over Damien Harris. OC Ken Dorsey believes that Cook has 3-down potential, and it’s hard to disagree – Cook averaged 5.3 YPC in 2022 and had PFF’s no.1 breakaway run rate(44%). James is primed to usurp his big brother Dalvin as a top fantasy producer this season.

Roschon Johnson, RB Bears
Khalil Herbert has taken the majority of first team snaps thus far in camp, but Johnson is making an impact now that he’s on the field. Johnson missed valuable practice time this past week with an undisclosed injury, but he’s back and looking spry and powerful as a runner. In the last practice I attended, Johnson had the run of the day, bulldozing a safety on his way to a big gain. It was on the second team, but Johnson also made inroads with the first team, appearing on several passing downs. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin said that the starting job will likely come down to pass protection, and Johnson profiles as the best pass protector of the Bears’ bunch.

Kendre Miller, RB Saints
With the news that Alvin Kamara will miss 3 games as punishment for the fracas he was part of in Vegas at the Pro Bowl, Miller’s fantasy prospects have been sparked. Veteran RB Kareem Hunt visited New Orleans on August 8th, but left without a contract, and Jamaal Williams is already competing. Those guys are both 28 and in the twilights of their careers, though. Miller just turned 21 and was one of our top 3 backs in the draft process this year. He’s a player built in the mold of Kamara himself. Explosive and hard to tackle – Miller was first in his class in broken tackles per 100 touches(18). The dynamic rookie has the chance to start the season with a bang, assuming Hunt or another established veteran does not come in to create a touch squeeze during Kamara’s absence.