OWS Fam,

The first ever OWS Daily Dose Draft Guide is now available!

In today’s e-mail, we give you a look at OWS’s Mike Johnson’s five running backs to consider fading during your fantasy football drafts. Read on to find out what running backs our expert is steering clear of during his own drafts, as well as why he’s fading them.

Over the next two days, we will also be delivering the following critical draft-season content directly to your inbox:

9/2 - Five Fades Series (WRs)

9/3 - Five Fades Series (TEs)

To consume the Draft Guide in its entirety, follow this link to One Week Season:
https://oneweekseason.com/the-scroll/drafting-season/

It’s time to lock in Fam!

Five Fades: RBs

By: Mike Johnson (@mjohnson_86)

The last article in our One Week Season “Daily Dose” Draft Guide series featured our “Seven Sleepers” – players to target late in drafts whose upside could change your roster in a positive way. Something that is just as, if not more, important in a fantasy football league is avoiding those players earlier in drafts who can tank your rosters. To help you with that, we are bringing you our “Five Fades” series, which will feature five players at each position that I am fading based on where they are being drafted and concerns I have about their outlooks. Today’s article will focus on running backs::

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

The Colts’ offense could be really, really good this season and Taylor is still only 25 years old, but as a late first- or second-round pick, Taylor is a player that I won’t have on any of my teams. His ankle injuries have been an issue throughout his career, Anthony Richardson hurts Taylor’s touchdown expectations, and Taylor is an adequate pass catcher but not someone who excels in that area. Taylor is a great football player who I believe is destined to disappoint his fantasy managers this season.

2. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL

Henry has been a bit of a unicorn for most of his career and has stuck it to me a few times along the way, so “fading” him feels a bit uncomfortable again this year. The Ravens had 26 rushing touchdowns last season and Henry has been a touchdown machine throughout his career. However, he has over 1,500 carries the last five seasons, plus receptions and playoff touches. He turns 31 years old this season and I’m fine taking the chance on him sticking it to me. I believe an older running back with that much tread on the tires is one that has a greater chance of killing your roster than driving you to a championship. 

3. Rachaad White, RB, TB

White had a massive workload last season, but the Bucs have a new offensive coordinator and White has been relatively inefficient throughout his career. The Bucs also drafted promising rookie Bucky Irving, whose style and efficiency are likely to force him onto the field in at least a part-time role, with the potential to surpass White at some point during the season. White was a great fantasy asset in 2023 primarily due to his high-volume role and there is a lot of risk around his volume for 2024.

4. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE

Stevenson is a player that I had in almost every league two years ago. My how the times change. Rhamondre still isn’t “old” and he still can play, but the Patriots’ potentially poor offensive environment and the looming threat of Antonio Gibson make Rhamondre a clear fade for me. I think his appropriate draft position should be about two or three rounds after where he goes in most drafts, making him a clear “fade” for me.

5. Zamir White, RB, LVR

The Raiders finished 2023 as a relatively competitive team and Zamir White took over a bell cow role to end the year as they established themselves as a “ground and pound” offense. Many are excited for Zamir to continue that role this year, but I have my doubts. The Raiders receiving corps is no joke with Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Brock Bowers likely to dominate targets. Meanwhile, rookie RB Dylan Laube has drawn all the praise of the coaching staff for months and is likely to take passing-down work, while Alexander Mattison mixed in with the starters on early downs during the preseason. Add it all up and I see Zamir as an “early-downs only” running back who won’t catch many passes and will be on a team that might not score many touchdowns. Similar to Rhamondre, he’s a guy that I think is going a couple of rounds too early.