The Players

Kenneth Walker

The line: Draft Walker as a high-upside RB2 workhorse bet in round two, but don't pay true top-five-back price given the scheme-fit and touchdown-role doubts.

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone slightly lower than consensus but still expects a good season; not a real fade.
• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Referenced as evidence that the Seattle coaching staff uses committee approaches even with talented backs.

Christian McCaffrey

The line: Draft McCaffrey as a discounted boom-or-bust RB1, not a top-5 lock — the touches and age make health the whole bet.

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone is lower on him than consensus due to massive 450-touch workload last year (including playoffs) and few precedents for backs over 30 sustaining huge volume; Harmon keeps him in his top tier despite injury risk.
• ▼Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Not practicing due to tightness, contributing to Ross's worry about San Francisco's overall health heading into the season.

Chase Brown

The line: Draft him as a locked-in early-round RB1 — the bell-cow role and receiving work face zero real pushback anywhere.

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone loves him in the early second round and often ends up with him in drafts; expects him to be a focal point of the Bengals offense with Burrow healthy.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 14th/15th overall as a bell-cow with little competition, strong red-zone snap share, and an elite Bengals scoring environment.

Jahmyr Gibbs

The line: Draft Gibbs 1.01 or 1.02 without hesitation — contract's done, workload's locked, and the only real risk is offensive line health.

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Predicted to finish as RB1 overall in the Lions' explosive offense with Isaiah Pacheco replacing David Montgomery.
• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Still the No. 1 overall fantasy player and will get a massive workload per Dan Campbell, but center injury and thin offensive line depth create ceiling/floor concerns.

Breece Hall

The line: Draft Hall as your RB1 workhorse target — the role and volume are secure, touchdowns are the only real variable.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Mentioned as the starter Allen would need to see miss time behind, with backup Isaiah Davis also banged up.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts are green-light on him as a potential workhorse with top-10 upside if Jets QB play stabilizes, though the offense remains a risk factor.

Chris Rodriguez

The line: Draft him in the 14th round purely for touchdown equity, but don't expect a real role if Tuten stays healthy.

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Going as RB44 in double-digit rounds, he's a 'glass eater' per coach Liam Cohen and could steal goal-line touches from Tootin, offering TD upside even without receiving work.
• ▶Fantasy Life Show: Described as part of a three-headed committee with Bhayshul Tuten early in the season, but expected to cede the lead role as the year progresses.

Bhayshul Tuten

The line: Talented enough to lead the backfield, but he's priced like a breakout while the goal-line role remains genuinely contested — draft with eyes open.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Has steamed up to 4th round in some formats (FFPC/NFFC) and is no longer a value; Rodriguez could cut into his role or take over goal-line work.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts back him as the lead back over Chris Rodriguez despite shared preseason co-starter buzz, citing his rookie-year 7-touchdown role and college ties to coach Liam Coen.

Jonathon Brooks

The line: Draft Brooks as your RB4 lottery ticket around pick 100-140 — the camp buzz over Hubbard justifies the injury risk at this price.

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts rank him well ahead of ADP as a sleeper who profiles to take over the Panthers backfield given positive camp reports on his health and role.
• ▲Fantasy Life Show: Pete gave him his second 10, citing his second-round draft capital, Carolina letting Rico Dowdle walk, and a cheap ADP (80-140); Kendall was more cautious at a 5 due to his second ACL tear history.

Keaton Mitchell

The line: Draft him as a cheap, speculative flex stash off McDaniel's scheme fit, not as a real threat to Hampton's role.

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Signed with the Chargers under Mike McDaniel, being used in camp on wheel routes and manufactured touches; going off the board around RB42 and offers standalone flex/RB2 upside, not just handcuff value.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Seen as a dynamic change-of-pace piece who won't significantly cut into Hampton's workload.

Jeremiyah Love

The line: Stash him for the athletic upside, but don't pay a top-15 rookie price until Arizona clarifies the backfield split.

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 25th-33rd overall as a rookie third-overall pick; hosts debate whether Arizona's committee (James Conner, Tyler Allgeier) limits his ceiling versus Ashton Jeanty's usage last year.
• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Priced at RB13/27th overall despite shaky Cardinals QB play and target competition from Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr.; Derek Brown fades the price while Fitzmaurice pushes back citing strong historical rookie RB production for top-12 draft picks.

Josh Jacobs

The line: Buy Jacobs only at a real discount — the legal risk and Green Bay's passing tilt make him a hold, not a target.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Older back with heavy career volume, currently dealing with a groin injury that's kept him out of practice, increasing Lloyd's value.
• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Harmon treats him as a red-light/fade given declining explosive run rate and yards after contact plus suspension/injury risk; Boone is more neutral, noting the risk seems priced into his falling ADP.

Javonte Williams

The line: Draft him as a value RB10 — the efficiency metrics and expected touch share both say last year's touchdown drought was the outlier.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Considered the primary back Blue would need to miss time behind; Blue's ceiling is tied to Williams' health.
• ▶The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Silva loves him as a locked-in every-down back behind a top-10 Cowboys line who re-signed him early in free agency; JJ is more skeptical due to his poor yards per route run but still ranks him RB12-15.

TreVeyon Henderson

The line: Don't pay RB2 price — Henderson's ceiling is real but locked behind Stevenson's early-down/third-down role.

• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Downgraded to yellow-light after camp reports indicate he hasn't shown enough as a pass protector/receiver to threaten Stevenson's role yet.
• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Discussed as more explosive (four 50+ yard runs) and a better scheme fit if Josh McDaniels shifts touches his way, though he struggled with pass protection as a rookie.

Jonathan Taylor

The line: Draft him as a high-end RB1, but Freedman's injury-history fade makes him defensible just outside the true top five.

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone ranks him above McCaffrey, citing RB1-overall pace (22.4 PPG half-PPR) with Daniel Jones healthy last year, though touchdown regression and receiver losses are risk factors.
• ▶Fantasy Football Today: Was RB10 per game even in a worse second-half Colts offense; hosts question if the Colts revert to that less-efficient version under Daniel Jones.

James Cook

The line: Draft Cook as an early first-rounder now, but his ceiling case is contingent on real receiving-role growth, not projection.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Noted to have sustained heavy volume the last couple years, making Davis a relevant handcuff.
• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Mentioned as another RB/RB-style early build target.

Derrick Henry

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone is yellow-light, worried his age (30+) and lack of receiving role make him vulnerable to sudden decline despite still-strong efficiency metrics last season; Harmon is fully on board, ranking him RB8.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 16th overall despite age concerns; hosts cite elite EPA/rush-yards-over-expected marks and historic touchdown production for a 31-32 year old back.

Omarion Hampton

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone calls him the most underrated player in the first two rounds, the clear first-round-pick focal point of the Chargers backfield ahead of Keaton Mitchell and Kamani Vidal.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked RB12/24th overall based on fit with Mike McDaniel's scheme and contact-beyond-line efficiency, despite pass-protection concerns and competition from Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell.

Bijan Robinson

The line: Draft Bijan as a top-three overall pick; the only live debate is whether he or Gibbs goes 1.01.

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Expected to have a phenomenal season, but Robinson Jr. is a strong direct backup if he were to miss time.
• ▲Fantasy Focus Football: Close 1.01 debate with Gibbs; taken 7th overall in the mock after reports Brian Robinson Jr. was promised more volume elsewhere raised Bijan's relative value.

De'Von Achane

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts have started breaking ties in his favor over receivers like Drake London/Nico Collins in the early second round.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 13th-18th overall; hosts trust McDaniel's scheme to manufacture targets despite worries about a changed offensive environment and quarterback situation.

Ashton Jeanty

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Mentioned as the starter Sampson would need to see an injury to in order to gain value.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone thinks he's underrated and will still get heavy volume despite concerns about the Dolphins/Raiders offense being weak; people are overrating the negative impact of the offense.

Travis Etienne

• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Faded at RB19/4th round price due to inefficiency metrics (37th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackle rate) and Alvin Kamara remaining the better passing-down back.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Fourth-round favorite; benefits from Kellen Moore's fast-paced scheme and an upgraded Saints offensive line, projected as a fringe RB1.

Quinshon Judkins

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both see him as a solid but unspectacular RB2-type pick in the fifth-round range; Harmon slightly prefers him to Skattebo due to ADP value despite Dylan Sampson's pass-catching role concern.
• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Unanimously faded at RB21/49th overall due to poor per-touch efficiency last year, a brand-new unproven offensive line, low touchdown equity, and QB competition uncertainty in Cleveland.

Rhamondre Stevenson

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone now prefers him over Henderson after camp reports suggest Henderson hasn't answered concerns about pass protection and receiving role.
• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Fitzmaurice fades him at RB28 due to Travion Henderson's explosiveness, but Derek Brown notes Stevenson actually beat Henderson in most efficiency metrics last year and is coach-favored.

Chuba Hubbard

The line: Draft Hubbard as a shaky RB3 with real snap-share downside, not a bell cow—Brooks is the camp-buzz threat to watch.

• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone is most worried about him being overtaken, having moved Jonathan Brooks ahead of him due to strong camp buzz about Brooks' health and explosiveness.
• ▶Fantasy Focus Football: Taken over Jonathan Brooks as the presumptive early-down back, though hosts feel he lacks a truly firm grip on the job given last year's benching.

D'Andre Swift

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts are green light, noting he was RB14 in PPG last season and even better (RB10) after Kyle Monangai's role grew, arguing he's disrespected and not being pushed out of the backfield this year.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Fifth-round pick; splits touches with Kyle Monangai but offers more upside/creativity and would be a top-10 RB if Monangai got hurt.

David Montgomery

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone likes him as a low-risk RB2 with top-15 upside in an improved Texans offense; Harmon is more neutral but agrees the Texans environment is underrated for a run game.
• ▲The Audible: Seen as a high-floor, high-ceiling value at RB23 due to Houston's improved offensive line, elite defense allowing a run-first identity, and multi-tight-end sets; not worried about Woody Marks cutting in given his pass-pro limitations.

Jadarian Price

• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Avoided at RB26 ADP due to expected committee role with Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, and Emmanuel Wilson, plus fumbling issues and lack of receiving work.
• ▲Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Mailbag question on his low ADP despite being a Day 1 starter for a Super Bowl-winning team; hosts say buy now since one strong preseason snap or run could spike his price two rounds.

Kenny Gainwell

• ▼RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Also cited as an overpriced handcuff going as RB33 in the 8th round, similar to Corum in being too expensive for the role.
• ▲The Audible: From week 11 on last season, scored more fantasy points per game than all but six NFL running backs; joins Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay.

Alvin Kamara

• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Still considered the superior passing-down back in New Orleans, undercutting Travis Etienne's role.
• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Viewed as 'out of gas,' with early-down usage already ceded to LeQuint Allen last year, reducing his role behind Etienne.

Ray Davis

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Going as RB57 (15th round), positioned as the clear next-man-up handcuff for James Cook in Buffalo despite his role waning some.
• ▼Fantasy Football Today: Noted he 'may never play' but still included as part of the late-round RB group.

MarShawn Lloyd

• ▲The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Complementary-profile back who looks healthy this camp amid Josh Jacobs suspension uncertainty; hosts are in on him given LaFleur's strong offensive touchdown history.
• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: ADP steaming up (as high as 10th round in high-stakes leagues) due to sharp money; expected to mix in even with a healthy Josh Jacobs, and Jacobs' groin injury in camp has increased his opportunity.

Kyren Williams

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone strongly defends him as undervalued, noting he's been a top-10 PPG back three years running and is the same age as Blake Corum, dismissing the narrative that Corum will usurp him.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 29th-39th overall; hosts note he still finished RB11 despite a 1-2 committee, dominating goal-line/red-zone touches and snaps in neutral/trailing game scripts over Blake Corum.

Saquon Barkley

• ▶RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Mentioned as an older back who's taken on considerable volume, making Bigsby a worthwhile insurance pick.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone is lower than some, but clarified he still expects a good season and isn't fading him; risk from Tank Bigsby involvement is minor.

Bucky Irving

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Harmon has warmed significantly on him given a strong Bucs offensive line and reports that Kenny Gainwell isn't much of a rushing threat, though he stops short of expecting rookie-year ceiling again.
• ▼Harris Football Podcast: Lost his 'home run' burst and contact balance last year post-injury (foot/shoulder), now in a crowded backfield with Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker.

Jaylen Warren

• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Praised as more efficient, better pass blocker, and better receiver than Rico Dowdle, a strong fit for Aaron Rodgers' needs.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Seventh-round pick expected to be the passing-down back over Rico Dowdle, potentially catching 60 passes, though Josh is skeptical given his poor goal-to-go conversion rate.

Kyle Monangai

• ▲Harris Football Podcast: Ran with more discipline and earned increased red-zone touches from week 10 on, posting RB19 numbers from week 7 forward, threatening Swift's role.
• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Grouped with Blake Corum as a late-round dart-throw with real upside if the starter in front of him gets hurt.

Blake Corum

• ▼RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Cited as an example of an expensive handcuff going off the board at RB32, an 8th-round price tag that's too costly compared to alternatives.
• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Reportedly having a great camp and looking explosive; seen as a late-round swing with top-10 RB upside if Kyren Williams were to miss time.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone strongly backs him as the lead back after positive passing-game reports, valuing him well above his ADP outside the top 100 as a late-round sleeper.
• ▼Harris Football Podcast: Ran upright, didn't show elusiveness or power last year, lost work to Chris Rodriguez by season's end, and won't play on third downs with Rashad White taking that role.

Jordan Mason

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone argues his ADP (~120 overall) is too low; if Aaron Jones' injury history catches up with him, Mason profiles as the Vikings' lead back and was RB16 in a stretch last year.
• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Late-round RB target; upside tied to Aaron Jones missing time, though poor Vikings QB play is a concern.

Jonah Coleman

• ▲The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Viewed as the best value pick at his ADP; expected to be the primary beneficiary if Dobbins misses time, offering size, blocking and receiving ability.
• ▲Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: JJ named him a favorite sleeper, projecting he could take over the lead role in Denver's backfield in the second half of the season if J.K. Dobbins gets banged up.

Rachaad White

• ▲The Audible: Elite receiving back with 89.1% career catch rate and 40+ catches in four straight seasons; could be overlooked amid crowded backfield with Bucky Irving.
• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Listed among late-round RB targets as running back gets shallow, could see role change if Gainwell eats in.

Kimani Vidal

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Available as a 17th-round pick (RB64) behind Omarion Hampton; praised by Mike McDaniel and could step into the lineup if Hampton got hurt.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Mentioned only briefly as part of the Chargers backfield mix behind Hampton, without standalone commentary beyond usage context.

Isiah Pacheco

• ▼The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Sprained MCL will cost him about a month of practice, leaving the Lions with almost no proven depth behind Gibbs.
• ▶Fantasy Focus Football: Reported to have a sprained MCL but expected back for the season opener, complicating the Gibbs/Robinson debate.

Jaydon Blue

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Going as RB53 and nearly free in ESPN/Yahoo/Sleeper leagues; possesses elite sub-4.3 speed and strong receiving background from Texas, could get a Keaton Mitchell-esque manufactured role even with Javonte Williams healthy, and would lead Dallas in fantasy points if Williams missed time.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Harmon likes him as a sleeper with a better path to standalone value than Marshawn Lloyd, citing the Cowboys' strong explosive run-rate infrastructure.

Cam Skattebo

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Boone strongly backs him as the clear starter on a run-heavy Giants team who got ~75% of work over Tyrone Tracy Jr. before injury; Harmon is skeptical, viewing him as overhyped ('meme player') given team/talent concerns.

RJ Harvey

• ▼The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Compared to Darren Sproles; hosts believe he'll be capped in a rotational role since Sean Payton never features one back heavily, calling him overrated at his current ADP.

Tony Pollard

• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Kept over Blake Corum/Kyle Monangai as a plug-and-play RB; not worried about TreVeyon Henderson-type competition given Brian Daboll's history of leaning on one back... (Titans context).

Rico Dowdle

• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Fitzmaurice fades him at 7th-8th round ADP, arguing Jalen Warren is the better player across efficiency, receiving, and pass-blocking metrics; Derek Brown agrees Warren is superior.

J.K. Dobbins

• ▼The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Suffered a soft-tissue injury; has never played more than 13 games in a season since college, raising concern about his workload security.

Brian Robinson

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Landed in Atlanta as backup to Bijan Robinson; has had multiple double-digit scoring seasons and a 37-catch year in Washington, would instantly start if Bijan missed time.

Zach Charbonnet

• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Expected to return from ACL injury early in the season and cut into Jadarian Price's workload.

Emmett Johnson

• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Called the best player available in a rookie/vet dynasty draft, praised as a strong long-term investment with a sizable workload projected.

Dylan Sampson

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Referred to as 'Mike Washington' but describes a rookie with elite combine numbers (4.3-4.4 40, 39-inch vertical) landing behind Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas; going as RB59, would be next man in if Jeanty got hurt.

Braelon Allen

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Going as RB65; with Isaiah Davis dealing with a knee injury, Allen would see a considerable role if Breece Hall missed time; noted as a large, athletic player still only 22 years old.

Tank Bigsby

• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Going off the board as RB47 (12th round); flashed efficiency last year and has hype in Philly camp, would offer near-RB1 weekly value behind Jalen Hurts and a strong O-line if Saquon Barkley missed time.

Ty Johnson

• ▼Harris Football Podcast: News of an issue didn't sound great; he has held off Ray Davis as Buffalo's main third-down back.

Marcus Martin

• ▲Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: BYU three-down RB who returned to school; seen as a safe Day 2/early Day 3 prospect with strong receiving ability.

Amar Johnson

• ▲Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Oregon TE, 6'6" 257 lbs, seen as the next first-round TE prospect after being productive behind Kenyon Sadiq.

JaQuan Hardy

• ▶Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Missouri RB with 1,600+ rushing yards, called RB1 talent-wise, but recovering from a gunshot wound and may miss week one.