Latest news with #runningback
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Chase Brown a 'must draft' fantasy first rounder?
Yahoo Sports fantasy analysts Matt Harmon and Justin Boone discuss the Bengals running back's performance last season and why he could be a sneaky first round value who is going much later in early drafts. Hear the full conversation on the 'Yahoo Fantasy Forecast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript Chase Brown here in the 3rd round. This is a guy that I'm targeting basically in every draft. Last year from week 4 on, he was a top 7 fantasy back and top 7 fantasy points per game in half PPR leagues. I don't see any reason why he can't do that again. Hopefully, the Bengals can get the contract situation sorted out with some of those defensive guys that are unhappy. Let's get those guys in there. I think this team could be better. I think he could get more scoring opportunity. I'm not that worried there about any of the other options in that backfield. Zach Moss coming back from injury, Taj Brooks, the rookie. I think they're just going to be complimentary pieces. I don't think they're coming for the top role by any means. And Chase Brown proved last year he can handle big workloads and he could put up good fantasy points. I think this guy might be like a round one value that people are getting in the 3rd round right now. I highly recommend everybody should be out there trying to get him. I think that, uh, Chase Brown is where the tear drops off to like another group at running back, cause I kind of hesitated between, I took Lamar Jackson at the top of the 3rd round, and Brown was maybe like my last tier of running backs where I do think there's a drop off to the Kenneth Walker, Bruce Hall, Kron Williams, like that James Cook, that group of guys. That was where running backs sort of dropped off to me, and I really will come back to elite quarterbacks cause I decided to go with Lamar Jackson there instead of Chase Brown, but I do think that's kind of the guy, the last one I see in this group of like, all right, like locked in running back one status. Close
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colts rookie tagged as ‘overlooked'; can have breakout year
The running back position is one of the most disposable in the game of football. Teams have learned that they can get solid production out of the position without prioritizing investing at the position. There are, of course, exceptions. The Colts are one of those teams to sway slightly from the norm as they will pay two-time Pro Bowl back Jonathan Taylor $11.9 million to be their starter, according to Spotrac. Indy added more bodies at the position this offseason after 2024 proved their depth behind Taylor was lacking. Khalil Herbert signed a one-year deal in free agency as a veteran player who can provide a change of pace and lessen the load on Taylor. The Colts also drafted DJ Giddens out of Kansas State, who's already received buzz as a dark horse candidate to emerge as a reliable piece in Shane Steichen's offense. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski mentioned Giddens among the rookie running backs he believes are being overlooked this offseason and could surprise in 2025. Sobleski mentioned how the Colts running back play dropped off significantly when Taylor became unavailable due to injury— an occurrence which has become more common in recent years. The 26-year-old has missed 16 games in the last three seasons. But he thinks Giddens is a perfect fit to go along with Taylor. 'A bit of Taylor can be found in DJ Giddens' game. Over the last two seasons, the Kansas State product amassed 3,150 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. He has a gliding style with breakaway speed,' he writes. 'With the likelihood of Taylor missing at least some time for the fourth straight season…and Giddens providing explosive capabilities out of the backfield, the rookie can be a relatively big part of Indianapolis' offensive plans.' The Colts were excited about Giddens when they drafted him in the fifth round in April. Head coach Shane Steichen likes his combination of a tough play style with versatility. 'The vision, the contact balance, the way he runs—he's a 4.43 (40-yard dash) guy that can catch the ball out of the backfield, is big for our team as well. So, it's a good get.' Of course, Giddens still has to earn his snaps in training camp, beginning July 23. But, there's no denying the league could be in for a rude awakening if the Colts are able to unleash him in their run-heavy offense.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears former 4th-round pick named 'player to watch' during training camp
The Chicago Bears offense is all about what quarterback Caleb Williams can do in his second season, but he is going to need help around him for the Bears offense to be one of the best in the NFL. One position group on offense that the Bears failed to upgrade this offseason was the running back room, adding only Rutgers' Kyle Monangai in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. One running back that has been with Chicago the last two years is Roschon Johnson, and he has a chance to take over as the lead back. Gene Chamberlain from Bears On SI thinks Johnson is a player to watch during training camp. "D'Andre Swift's skillset is well known after his 295 touches in the Bears offense last year and Ben Johnson knows him well from being together in Detroit. It's the power back who is a lesser known quantity and entirely necessary in what his coach wants to do," Chamberlain. "Roschon Johnson has barely been used in two seasons--a paltry 136 carries and 50 receptions in two seasons. He pass blocks well and this will be critical. Rookie Kyle Monangai is a player the Bears would like to see deliver but a seventh-rounder is at least as likely to wind up cut and on the practice squad as on the roster, and a position of prominence in the attack is definitely not a given. The only Bears running backs from Round 7 since the seven round draft started in 1993 were Kerrith Whyte Jr. in 2019 and Michael Hicks in 1996. Hicks gained 106 yards in is Bears career while White got cut, put on the practice squad and then pilfered off it by Pittsburgh. He lasted part of a season in the NFL. If a back is that good, why did they go in Round 7, and why were 21 other backs taken before Monangai? It's Johnson to watch at camp, and maybe Monangai is a back to watch in preseason games when the new players at the bottom of the roster get more playing time." The Bears drafted Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and should be able to help take control of the offense in his third NFL Johnson could be the No. 1 running back for the Bears, the team could make the playoffs.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colts offensive playmaker named 2025 MVP candidate
All the attention this offseason in Indianapolis has been focused on the Colts' quarterback situation. As a result, one of Indy's most reliable and consistent playmakers has flown under the radar despite having MVP potential. Given how much Indy is likely to lean on him, Eric Edholm selected running back Jonathan Taylor as the Colts' best MVP candidate in 2025. With Taylor having been Edholm's choice in 2024 as well, he's even more confident in the two-time Pro Bowler to be the guy again. 'Taylor was the Colts' best performer in 2024 -- despite the fact that he missed three weeks early in the season and ultimately posted modest receiving totals,' he writes. 'I feel even stronger about the pick this time around, with the Colts' run game being absolutely critical to achieving the level of team success that would produce an MVP candidate in the first place.' Taylor taking home the ultimate individual prize the NFL offers would be a long shot in today's pass-first era of football. In fact, no running back has won the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012, over a decade ago. The Colts adding Khalil Herbert in free agency and drafting DJ Giddens in the 5th round in April also suggest a lesser work load for Taylor. Still, the former Wisconsin Badger is the Colts most likely choice. The 26-year-old has already led the league in rushing yards once in 2021 (1,811) and posted 1,431 yards in 2024, his best total since that league-leading campaign.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football class of 2026 running back commit elevated to four-star
Wisconsin's top class of 2026 running back commit, Amari Latimer, was elevated to a four-star prospect on Monday. Latimer, who committed to Luke Fickell's program back on June 28, was widely considered a three-star prospect throughout the recruiting process. On3/Rivals elected to boost the running back's profile, concurrently elevating him into the top 20 at his position. 247Sports, meanwhile, lists the Georgia native as the No. 30 running back and No. 61 recruit from his home state. The Sandy Creek High School product decided to join the Badgers' program over opportunities with the Michigan Wolverines, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers. In total, Latimer received nearly 50 offers from some of the most prestigious programs throughout the nation. The rising senior will also reunite with his older brother Geimere Latimer, who transferred to UW after an impressive 2024-25 season at cornerback with Jacksonville State. As a junior at Sandy Creek High School, Latimer tallied 136 carries for 1,113 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground. Through the air, the duel-back reeled in 27 receptions for 363 yards and four receiving touchdowns. In three years as a member of Sandy Creek's varsity squad, he's accountable for 2,513 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns off 317 carries, in addition to 44 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver. With his decision, Latimer became the 15th player to join Wisconsin's class of 2026 cohort. Wisconsin has yet to land another player since his commitment. While UW's 2026 recruiting outlook is incomplete, his continued development and enthusiasm to join Wisconsin's program emerge as one of the more promising storylines of the offseason. With the program boasting numerous legends at the position over the last 20 years, Latimer has major figures to look up to. His ceiling should be sky-high once he arrives in Madison. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football commit Amari Latimer recruiting rankings boost
