The Ultimate Zero RB Watch List provides analysis for Zero RB and RB-heavy owners alike. Blair Andrews examines the running back workloads for every NFC backfield from Week 9. Check out Shawn’s companion piece on the AFC.
Almost every fantasy team can use a breakout RB, whether they were drafted as a Zero-RB squad or not. The Ultimate Zero RB Watch List helps to find these breakout stars before they hit. But it also helps you understand which of the high-profile backs you should be buying and selling based on workload shifts.
We’ll use the RotoViz tools to dive deep into the Week 9 advanced stats for every NFC backfield, focusing on expected points (EP), fantasy points over expectations (FPOE), and opportunity (snaps, targets, and carries).
Arizona Cardinals
With Kenyan Drake injured, Chase Edmonds took over the entirety of Drake’s role. Yet he somehow managed to give up his previous role entirely, without anyone taking it over. Despite the increased rushing workload, Week 9 marked the second-lowest receiving EP output for Edmonds this season.
The decrease in receiving work meant that even though Edmonds more than tripled his average opportunities per game through the first eight weeks, he still managed to come in below his per-game fantasy scoring average.
Eno Benjamin was inactive once again. Drake is day-to-day, so Benjamin’s best opportunity to get on the field may have come and gone.
Carolina Panthers
Christian McCaffrey returned to the field and promptly put up another EP double-double, his first of the 2020 season. In a slight surprise, Mike Davis had six targets of his own for a fairly useful 8.4 receiving EP.
Unfortunately, McCaffrey hurt his shoulder in this game, so his Week 10 status is already uncertain. If he can’t go, Davis would take on a large workload once again. His recent performances however, even with the large workload, have been disappointing enough that Samuel Wallace recommends selling Davis on the news that McCaffrey might sit.
