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Dynasty Trending Observations: Chargers, Broncos and Dolphins’ Backfields

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De'Von Achane | Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Moore Posted On July 14, 2024
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We’re getting deeper into training camp and more players are making news on and off the field. Below are some of those developments and how to handle them in your dynasty leagues.

Run Charge

 

The arrival of Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles has meant a lot of changes to the team which, Charger fans hope, means a change in their record. A change that coincides with the arrival of Harbaugh is a shift in the entire offensive philosophy. Harbaugh brought in Greg Roman to lead the offense, just as he did in San Francisco. To say Roman likes to run the ball would be an understatement. In the ten years he’s been an offensive coordinator, his teams finished in the top three of rush attempts in seven of those years and never finished lower than ninth.

More changes include the personnel on offense. Out are longtime Charger running back Austin Ekeler and in are former Ravens (and John Harbaugh coached) Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. Both Edwards and Dobbins are recovering from injuries with Dobbins suffering the more severe injury after tearing his Achilles last year. It’s led to the tweet above that indicates Edwards is in the driver’s seat to start.

But now that both have fresh starts in Los Angeles, what do we do about their dynasty value?

Dynasty Impact: To be clear, both Edwards and Dobbins are older veterans and only represent a short-term solution to your dynasty team. But with the short shelf life of running backs, as it is, you could argue every running back is a short-term solution. With that said, both Edwards and Dobbins could represent good value. They ended up at approximately the same ADP even though they took very different paths to get there.

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But because of their age, you could currently acquire either of them for a third-round pick in next year’s rookie draft. Or you could get crazy and trade a third for Dobbins (coming off the Achilles injury) and use a second on Edwards just to ensure you have the entire backfield. Riding the Chargers backfield is not the worst idea in the world especially if your dynasty running backs are lacking.

Mile High Problem

 

It’s been a tough road back for Broncos running back Javonte Williams. After a solid rookie season that saw him record over 1,200 total yards and seven touchdowns, he was tapped to be a breakout stud his sophomore year before a torn ACL ended his season. He returned last year but looked like a shell of himself, totaling just 774 yards in 13 games and averaging 3.6 yards per carry, nearly a yard less than either of the previous two seasons.

He enters the 2024 season, not only needing to prove himself in order to keep his job but with multiple threats to his place atop the running back depth chart. Last year, Jaleel McLaughlin was turning heads as an undrafted free agent and ended up second on the Broncos in rush attempts (not counting quarterback Russell Wilson). The Broncos then added to the running back room by drafting Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s a lot of meh on the Broncos depth chart so who is the best bet for your dynasty league?

Dynasty Impact: Thanks to the Broncos generally being mediocre last year, both Williams and McLaughlin dynasty values took a dip.

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Williams, the incumbent, is still way ahead of McLaughlin and the rookie Estime. But the latter two may be a better value. Yes, Williams is the stater but coach Sean Payton generally likes a mix of running backs taking the snaps. We all remember the days of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram splitting carries or even Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush. The point is that Payton will likely mix in all three at some or another. Williams being valued that high seems like an overpay while McLaughlin and Estime look to be priced just right. Those two are the ones to go after at their current cost.

Keep your Fins up

 

Whether it’s the Dolphins coaching that has led to their super-charged running attack or they just got lucky with the players they signed and drafted, Miami has the best depth at the position in the entire league. They had both the back that led the league in touchdowns in Raheem Mostert with 18 AND the back (with at least 100 attempts) that led the league in yards per carry in De’Von Achane at 7.8 yards, more than two whole yards than the next player. On top of all that they drafted a running back, Jaylen Wright, with 4.38 speed in the 2024 Draft.

It’s a great problem to have if you’re a real-life Dolphins fan but it can be a nightmare for fantasy teams and managers. Based on McDaniel’s playcalling, any running back could lead the team in rushing on any given week. They also all have the same style of running – fast – which makes it hard to determine which back will do what.

Dynasty Impact:

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Much like the Broncos’ situation above, the better value will be in the running backs ranked lower. It may seem like a fit to have Achane as a top-ten dynasty back. But Raheem Mostert, the starter for the Dolphins last season, saw 20 or more carries just three times and topped out at 209 carries on the season (he did miss the last two games). Each player will be a boom-or-bust proposition this season let alone in multiple seasons. You’re better off paying the lower cost of a Mostert or Wright than the costlier Achane. And if you have a team willing to pay RB1 prices for Achane, take it.

michael moore
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