Related Links <\/span> <\/h2>\n\n- NFL trade candidates: Notable players who SHOULD be moved before the league's Oct. 31 deadline <\/li>\n
- NFL PANIC SCALE: Patriots hitting rock bottom; can injury-riddled Bills, mistake-prone Ravens get right? <\/li>\n
- 2023 fantasy football flex rankings: Top 150 RB\/WR\/TE options in Week 6 <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.www.nfl.com\/t_thumb_squared\/f_auto\/league\/api\/clubs\/logos\/MIN\")
<\/p>\n
\n- Alexander Mattison<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Cam Akers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
This Mattison-led attack has been quite stale in 2023. After parting ways with Dalvin Cook in the offseason, Minnesota ranks 29th in rushing entering Week 6.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Vikings traded for Akers, who was familiar with Kevin O\u2019Connell from the coach\u2019s days with the Rams, ahead of the team\u2019s Week 3 contest against the Chargers. Akers has been active in each of the last two games, but he has yet to play more than 35 percent of the team\u2019s offensive snaps. I believe this unit would see better output by splitting carries evenly between Mattison and Akers. The newcomer is a more explosive playmaker, but both guys are capable of helping the offense on all three downs and in short-yardage situations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The one-win Vikings will likely start running the ball a little more with all-world receiver Justin Jefferson now on injured reserve, so it\u2019s time for the backfield to provide more balance and big plays. <\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.www.nfl.com\/t_thumb_squared\/f_auto\/league\/api\/clubs\/logos\/PIT\")
<\/p>\n
\n- Najee Harris<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Jaylen Warren<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The Steelers must figure out how to get their 30th-ranked offense going. None of it has been pretty this season, though injuries to key pass-catchers (Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth) certainly haven’t helped.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As for the run game, Harris has nearly twice as many carries as Warren through five weeks. I’m a huge Najee fan, but based on what I\u2019ve seen this season, he’s not doing enough. With Harris yet to log more than 71 rush yards in a game this season, Warren is the more explosive option right now. He\u2019s hitting the holes, accelerating through contact and bringing juice to an offense desperately trying to get into a rhythm. We know Harris is capable of being the guy in the backfield, but he\u2019s not quite clicking with the offensive line right now and it’s showing in his production (he averaged a season-low 2.6 yards per carry against the Ravens on Sunday).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Warren has seen a slight<\/em> uptick in carries in recent weeks — he still doesn\u2019t have more than nine in a game this season — and should continue to see more opportunities. Coming out of the bye week, offensive coordinator Matt Canada would be wise to evenly split carries between Harris and Warren early in games before riding the hot hand in an effort to help jump-start this struggling offense.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.www.nfl.com\/t_thumb_squared\/f_auto\/league\/api\/clubs\/logos\/ATL\")
<\/p>\n
\n- Bijan Robinson<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tyler Allgeier<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Coming into the season, I predicted these two players would share the load in the backfield, and so far, I was spot on. Through five weeks, Robinson has 67 carries and Allgeier 62. Robinson has rushed for 364 yards (5.4 yards per carry) while Allgeier has amassed 191 yards (3.1 ypc). This duo\u2019s usage is dictated by the situation. Allgeier is best in short-yardage and goal-line situations, having scored two touchdowns when the Falcons were inside the opponent\u2019s 3-yard line.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Robinson has been phenomenal in every way, shape and form through five weeks. The rookie should start to see an increase in carries — thinking 60 percent of the totes — as his uncanny ability to make defenders miss has helped him record the fifth-most rushing yards over expected (+107) and fourth-most first downs (21) among running backs, per Next Gen Stats. He\u2019s also been a huge asset for Desmond Ridder in the passing game. Robinson is tied for the team lead with 21 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019d still lean on the physical Allgeier at the goal line and when Bijan lines up in the slot or out wide, but the phenom is too good to not use in a majority of situations.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.www.nfl.com\/t_thumb_squared\/f_auto\/league\/api\/clubs\/logos\/CLE\")
<\/p>\n
\n- Jerome Ford<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Kareem Hunt<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Replacing Nick Chubb is nearly impossible. Ford looked like he might be up to the challenge, racking up 131 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches in Week 2. However, in Cleveland\u2019s two games since, Ford has just 96 total scrimmage yards. Enter Kareem Hunt, who was signed in September after Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury. Back with his former team, the banged-up Hunt has played less than 25 percent of the offensive snaps in each of his games this season, posting 25 yards on 10 carries and adding 22 yards on two receptions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Coming off the bye week, I expect the Browns to work Hunt into the offense a bit more. Kevin Stefanski knows he has a tremendous asset in Hunt, whose experience should help guide the offense as it also navigates through Deshaun Watson\u2019s injury. The Browns would benefit from Hunt getting at least 50 percent of the carries. This team is still very much in the division race and will need to maximize the contributions of its running backs.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.www.nfl.com\/t_thumb_squared\/f_auto\/league\/api\/clubs\/logos\/DEN\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- Alexander Mattison<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Cam Akers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
This Mattison-led attack has been quite stale in 2023. After parting ways with Dalvin Cook in the offseason, Minnesota ranks 29th in rushing entering Week 6.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Vikings traded for Akers, who was familiar with Kevin O\u2019Connell from the coach\u2019s days with the Rams, ahead of the team\u2019s Week 3 contest against the Chargers. Akers has been active in each of the last two games, but he has yet to play more than 35 percent of the team\u2019s offensive snaps. I believe this unit would see better output by splitting carries evenly between Mattison and Akers. The newcomer is a more explosive playmaker, but both guys are capable of helping the offense on all three downs and in short-yardage situations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The one-win Vikings will likely start running the ball a little more with all-world receiver Justin Jefferson now on injured reserve, so it\u2019s time for the backfield to provide more balance and big plays. <\/p>\n
- \n
- Najee Harris<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Jaylen Warren<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The Steelers must figure out how to get their 30th-ranked offense going. None of it has been pretty this season, though injuries to key pass-catchers (Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth) certainly haven’t helped.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As for the run game, Harris has nearly twice as many carries as Warren through five weeks. I’m a huge Najee fan, but based on what I\u2019ve seen this season, he’s not doing enough. With Harris yet to log more than 71 rush yards in a game this season, Warren is the more explosive option right now. He\u2019s hitting the holes, accelerating through contact and bringing juice to an offense desperately trying to get into a rhythm. We know Harris is capable of being the guy in the backfield, but he\u2019s not quite clicking with the offensive line right now and it’s showing in his production (he averaged a season-low 2.6 yards per carry against the Ravens on Sunday).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Warren has seen a slight<\/em> uptick in carries in recent weeks — he still doesn\u2019t have more than nine in a game this season — and should continue to see more opportunities. Coming out of the bye week, offensive coordinator Matt Canada would be wise to evenly split carries between Harris and Warren early in games before riding the hot hand in an effort to help jump-start this struggling offense.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Bijan Robinson<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tyler Allgeier<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Coming into the season, I predicted these two players would share the load in the backfield, and so far, I was spot on. Through five weeks, Robinson has 67 carries and Allgeier 62. Robinson has rushed for 364 yards (5.4 yards per carry) while Allgeier has amassed 191 yards (3.1 ypc). This duo\u2019s usage is dictated by the situation. Allgeier is best in short-yardage and goal-line situations, having scored two touchdowns when the Falcons were inside the opponent\u2019s 3-yard line.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Robinson has been phenomenal in every way, shape and form through five weeks. The rookie should start to see an increase in carries — thinking 60 percent of the totes — as his uncanny ability to make defenders miss has helped him record the fifth-most rushing yards over expected (+107) and fourth-most first downs (21) among running backs, per Next Gen Stats. He\u2019s also been a huge asset for Desmond Ridder in the passing game. Robinson is tied for the team lead with 21 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019d still lean on the physical Allgeier at the goal line and when Bijan lines up in the slot or out wide, but the phenom is too good to not use in a majority of situations.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Jerome Ford<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Kareem Hunt<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Replacing Nick Chubb is nearly impossible. Ford looked like he might be up to the challenge, racking up 131 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches in Week 2. However, in Cleveland\u2019s two games since, Ford has just 96 total scrimmage yards. Enter Kareem Hunt, who was signed in September after Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury. Back with his former team, the banged-up Hunt has played less than 25 percent of the offensive snaps in each of his games this season, posting 25 yards on 10 carries and adding 22 yards on two receptions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Coming off the bye week, I expect the Browns to work Hunt into the offense a bit more. Kevin Stefanski knows he has a tremendous asset in Hunt, whose experience should help guide the offense as it also navigates through Deshaun Watson\u2019s injury. The Browns would benefit from Hunt getting at least 50 percent of the carries. This team is still very much in the division race and will need to maximize the contributions of its running backs.<\/p>\n
- Kareem Hunt<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Tyler Allgeier<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Jaylen Warren<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Cam Akers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n