Underrated Fantasy Assets at the Running Back Position

These backs aren’t sexy picks in fantasy, but they’re going to make you look like a million bucks on gameday…

Nyheim Hines, Colts
Hines posted career lows with Carson Wentz under center in 2021, but he gets a new lease on life now that Matt Ryan is the new QB in Indy. Ryan targeted RBs more than any other QB in 2021(8.6 targets per game), and though I don’t think he’ll top that average with Jonathan Taylor as his lead back, Ryan will still implement Hines on a healthy basis. Coach Frank Reich has even gone so far as to say he’d draft Hines in fantasy this season. At a current ADP of 146.3, or RB49, Hines is primed to pay off for savvy owners – He was RB18 in PPR formats in 2020.

Marlon Mack, Texans
Mack is getting no respect in fantasy. Dameon Pierce, the new rookie RB in the backfield, has never played an NFL down, in fact he hasn’t played that much in college either to be honest, and he’s already being drafted at RB50 ahead of Mack at RB56. Texans GM Nick Caserio has already stated that Pierce will have to create a role for himself, so the kid isn’t going to be given anything, and Mack has a good track record when he’s healthy. His last season as a starter in 2019, Mack tallied 1,091 yards and 8 TDs for the Colts. Now don’t get me wrong, Pierce looks like the future in Houston, but with a conservative Lovie Smith as new HC and a game manager type of QB in Davis Mills, I expect plenty of opportunities for Mack.

Ronald Jones, Chiefs
RosterWatch has a history of hating on Jones, but in actuality, he’s performed over his head for the most part. Jones had over 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2019 and 2020 in Tampa, and he’s one of the most efficient runners in the league – 239 yards over expected on inside runs last year. Chiefs HC Andy Reid brought Jones in to have a major role, you don’t give $5 million a year to a RB you don’t plan on using, and after losing Tyreek Hill to Miami, the Chiefs need playmakers. Without a true No.1 WR, or RB for that matter on the team – I stopped believing in Edwards-Helaire as a bellcow a long time ago, Jones will get his fair shot to perform on Sundays in one of the NFL’s most productive offenses.

Khalil Herbert, Bears
Tarik Cohen is lost for the season with a torn achilles, so Herbert is now the receiving back and direct backup to David Montgomery in what has been described as a new run-heavy offense in Chicago. The transition makes sense, as Justin Fields still has a lot of improving to do under center, and Chicago’s best offensive skill players are their backs – Herbert might actually be the best one too. Herbert showed up big time in Montgomery’s stead last season, picking up at least 72 yards in 4 games that Montgomery sat. Montgomery only ran for more than 72 yards 4 times in all of 2021. Montgomery is also in the final year of his rookie contract, so the team will have little allegiance to him. I like Herbert a lot this season and you should too.