The Rookie RB's Preseason Tracker

mudloggerone

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I wasn't planning on tracking this guy since he appears to be 3rd on the draft chart but games like he had in week 1 force you to pay attenion.


Joe Williams rushed seven times for 60 yards in the 49ers' preseason opener.

Perhaps upset at playing behind undrafted rookie Matt Breida, Williams came out hot in his NFL debut, gaining 34 yards on dueling 17-yard runs on his first two handoffs. He added a couple more chunk gains later and had another 17-yard run called back on a penalty. Despite working behind Breida, the two backs split work fairly evenly the rest of the way, suggesting they are neck and neck on the depth chart. The duo should battle it out for the No. 3 job the rest of the way.


Joe Williams had one carry for one yard.
 

efactor

Coming at you
Joe Williams had one carry for one yard.

Looks like Williams and Brieda are locks and they were looking at bubble guys Hightower and Bibbs this week. I think both are cut and Mostart will make the team if they go with 5 RBs because he plays special teams.

Hyde
Juskeyk
Williams
Brieda
Mostart
 

mudloggerone

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I really thought Hightower would be safe being familiar with the system and having played for the coach in the past. Williams sure appears to be making him an after thought though.
 

efactor

Coming at you
I really thought Hightower would be safe being familiar with the system and having played for the coach in the past. Williams sure appears to be making him an after thought though.

If they were a contender, that would probably be the case, but they're not, so why not give the young guys the work this year.

That's why I never understood the signing in the first place.
 

Phicinfan

Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything
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If they were a contender, that would probably be the case, but they're not, so why not give the young guys the work this year.

That's why I never understood the signing in the first place.
I always thought it was for a vet presence to help develop the young Rbs. I would not be surprised if he is not kept for that reason, and he knows the system.
 

efactor

Coming at you
I always thought it was for a vet presence to help develop the young Rbs. I would not be surprised if he is not kept for that reason, and he knows the system.

About 50/50 is the word.

I hope they cut him, go with 4 RBs since Juice can play HB in an emergency and keep an extra D lineman with potential, since they have a lot of them.
 

mudloggerone

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Kareem Hunt caught one pass for nine yards in the Chiefs' preseason opener.

He also rushed once for no gain. Hunt saw one snap with the first-team offense, but he was clearly behind Spencer Ware in the pecking order. On the bright side, he has already jumped Charcandrick West on the depth chart, and he has another month to close the gap on Ware. Hunt's eighth-round ADP is a little inflated, but he could return value if he continues to climb the depth chart.

Week 2

Kareem Hunt rushed eight times for 40 yards in Saturday's preseason game, adding three receptions for 23 additional yards.
Spence Ware "started," but played literally one snap.







Week 3



Kareem Hunt rushed nine times for 39 yards in the Chiefs' third preseason game.

He missed his lone target in the passing game. Far more so than his stats, the biggest takeaway from Hunt's night was that starter Spencer Ware suffered a potentially severe right knee injury, setting up Hunt to begin the season as Kansas City's bellcow back. The Chiefs fell in love with Hunt during the draft -- trading up for him in the third round -- and they were forcing him into a first-team role even before Ware went down. Hunt now needs to be treated as a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside in fantasy drafts. He's suddenly gone from a middle-round flier to an arguable third-/fourth-round pick.




Late last night the Chiefs said that the injury appears to be a knee strain and will not be season ending.
 
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mudloggerone

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Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Kareem Hunt will be the "featured back" for the Chiefs in Spencer Ware's absence.

With Ware's timeline for recovery looking to be 4-6 weeks
 

mudloggerone

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I guess this is progress of some sort or another.

Leonard Fournette RB | JAC
Jaguars' Leonard Fournette: Practices sans pads
by RotoWire Staff
(1 hr ago) Fournette (foot) was spotted at practice Saturday, but it was a session without pads, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
 

mudloggerone

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Saints third-round RB Alvin Kamara rushed four times for 35 yards in Thursday’s preseason opener.

Kamara started the game with both Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson sitting out the preseason opener. The Saints third-round selection shedded multiple tackles on runs of 12 and 22 yards while running behind a skeleton crew at offensive line versus the Browns’ defensive starters. He also started the game as the primary punt returner, but did not receive an opportunity for a return. Kamara seems destined to fill the pass catching role in the New Orleans offense filled by Travaris Cadet a year ago at best to start his career and still needs an injury to Ingram or Peterson to have significant fantasy relevance.

Saints rookie RB Alvin Kamara rushed 5 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's preseason game against the Chargers.
Kamara's first carry of the game was an explosive 50-yard touchdown run. He looked great throughout, running decisively and exploding through the hole. He was also utilized in the passing game, catching a ball in the flat and scampering for a 20 yard gain. Kamara's success seems to have guaranteed him playing time in the regular season, but it's unclear how much.

Week 3

Alvin Kamara RB | NO
Saints' Alvin Kamara: Rested against Houston
by RotoWire Staff
(1 hr ago) Kamara was rested for Saturday's preseason game against Houston, Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports.
The Saints wanted to get a good look at Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson, after watching Kamara explode for 96 yards on nine carries through the first two preseason games. The rookie should have a small role that includes some playing time in the slot, but Ingram still figures to handle a good portion of the passing-down work in the backfield. Kamara's explosive preseason bodes well for his long-term prospects with the team.
 
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mudloggerone

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Honorable mention in week 2.

Steelers rookie RB James Conner rushed 20 times for 98 yards and caught 1-of-4 targets for three yards on his preseason debut Sunday night.

Week 3



James Conner notched 26 yards on four carries Saturday in the Steelers’ third preseason game.

All of his work came in the second half.
 

mudloggerone

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Marlon Mack

Marlon Mack carried five times for 45 yards while adding two receptions for 14 yards in Saturday’s preseason game.

Week 3


Marlon Mack registered 18 yards on seven carries and caught his only pass for 17 yards Saturday in the Colts’ third preseason game.

He operated as the Colts’ No. 2 running back but that was only because Robert Turbin got the night off. Mack had a quiet game on the ground aside from a 12-yard scamper in the third quarter. There’s some opportunity in Indy’s backfield with Frank Gore entering the latter stages of his career, though Turbin is probably a stronger handcuff than Mack at this point.
 

mudloggerone

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Jamaal Williams rushed four times for 14 yards in the Packers' preseason opener.

Week 2: ??

Week 3

Packers' Jamaal Williams: Catches trio of passes
8 hrs ago
Williams gained four yards on three carries and 46 yards on three reception (three targets) in Saturday's preseason game against Denver.
While clearly on track for the top backup job, Williams hasn't done much to challenge starter Ty Montgomery, running for only 30 yards on 14 carries this preseason.
 

mudloggerone

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Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Looks good in exhibition debut
August 9, 2017 9:58 PM EDT | by RotoWire Staff

McCaffrey rushed seven times for 33 yards in Wednesday's preseason opener against the Texans.
McCaffrey was also the target of one unsuccessful passing play. Carolina's first-rounder played most of the first half and showed just why he's expected to play a large role in the team's offense. Not only did McCaffrey display his quickness on runs to the outside, but he also exhibited patience while hiding behind blockers between the tackles. Overall, it was a productive first outing for the rookie, who will be eager for more touches in the games to come.

Christian McCaffrey rushed three times for 33 yards and one touchdown in the Panthers' second preseason game, adding two catches for 39 yards.
The Panthers' offense barely saw the field in the first quarter due to a first-play fumble by Devin Funchess and then a Derek Anderson interception, but Jonathan Stewart played six of the first ten snaps, with McCaffrey getting the other four and the next five. McCaffrey ripped off numerous big plays in succession, first a 13-yard run up the gut followed by a 17-yard touchdown between the right guard and tackle. On the next drive, he took a screen 38 yards. McCaffrey's burst especially stands out. He's the real deal. McCaffrey's ADP has settled in the mid third round.


Week 3

Panthers' Christian McCaffrey: Splits first-team work
August 24, 2017 8:59 PM EDT | by RotoWire Staff
McCaffrey gained 21 yards on seven carries and 12 yards on one reception in Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville.
While not as efficient as he was the past two weeks, McCaffrey encouragingly split work with Jonathan Stewart on the opening drive, finishing with five touches to the veteran's four during that series.
 

mudloggerone

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The 4 remaining rookie RB's that I am tracking play today. At 1530 you can watch Mixon/Perine match up on network TV followed at 1900 by Cook and Joe Williams the dynamite RB for the 9ers, also on network TV. Enjoy the show.
 

mudloggerone

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Joe Williams rushed seven times for 60 yards in the 49ers' preseason opener.

Perhaps upset at playing behind undrafted rookie Matt Breida, Williams came out hot in his NFL debut, gaining 34 yards on dueling 17-yard runs on his first two handoffs. He added a couple more chunk gains later and had another 17-yard run called back on a penalty. Despite working behind Breida, the two backs split work fairly evenly the rest of the way, suggesting they are neck and neck on the depth chart. The duo should battle it out for the No. 3 job the rest of the way.

Joe Williams had one carry for one yard.


Week 3


Joe Williams managed 16 yards on seven carries and caught his lone target for a gain of 11 in the 49ers' third preseason game.




He seems to be fading fast and falling down the 9er depth board.
 

mudloggerone

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Dalvin Cook rushed five times for 13 yards and caught 4-of-4 targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' preseason opener.

With Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon idle, Cook operated as the Vikings’ every-down back with the first-team offense. Cook was employed as a true bellcow, staying in for pass-protection situations and staying on with the Case Keenum group, even after Sam Bradford rested. Cook is trending toward a true feature back in Minnesota and should be approached as an upside RB2 pick.


Dalvin Cook rushed seven times for 40 yards in Friday's second preseason game against the Seahawks.
He also caught 1-of-3 targets for 10 yards. In a little over one half of football this preseason, Cook has touched the ball 17 times. With Jerick McKinnon back for the exhibition, it was notable that Cook was the starter and played every snap with the ones before McKinnon came on late in the first half. The starting job is Cook's to lose, and he's done anything but that this summer.

Week 3

Dalvin Cook rushed five times for 17 yards and lost five yards on his lone reception in the Vikings' third preseason game.

Cook remained the Vikings' lead back against San Francisco, but Latavius Murray was finally active and involved this week. Murray managed 16 yards on four touches, however, and did nothing to suggest he's more than a minor threat to Cook's early-season workload.







The Vikes open the season against the Saints.
 

mudloggerone

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Redskins fourth-round RB Samaje Perine rushed six times for 15 yards in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Ravens.

The stats don't really matter, as none of the Redskins' first- or second-teamers could get anything going, putting up zero points in the first half. But Perine's not going to be in the coaching staff's good graces after he fumbled on a second-down run in the second quarter, which Perine recovered, before then dropping a wide-open pass the very next play to force a punt. Fumbling has been an issue at training camp. Rob Kelley worked with the ones and remains top dog.


Samaje Perine rushed eight times for 45 yards and caught one pass for 29 yards in the Redskins' second preseason game.
Perine did not get any work with the first-team offense, which played the entire first half, but he came out hot after the break. Perine made a nice catch on a 29-yard grab on the first drive of the half, and he gained 22 yards on back-to-back runs to help set up a touchdown on the next series. Perine reportedly bounced back in practice this week after a poor showing in the preseason opener, and he kept that going on Saturday night. The rookie is still well behind Rob Kelley, but this performance likely helped him close the gap.



Week 3

Samaje Perine rushed five times for five yards in the Redskins' third preseason game.

The fourth-round pick wasn't targeted in the passing game. He struggles with the second-team offense came on a day where Rob Kelley shined with the starters.
 

mudloggerone

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Joe Mixon rushed six times for 31 yards and caught an 11-yard pass in the Bengals' preseason opener.

Jeremy Hill played first, but Mixon mixed in twice on the Bengals' opening drive and appears to be a part of the first-team offense, even if he's not yet the "starter." Mixon showed nifty feet and superb vision on his carries and turned a short checkdown in the flat into an 11-yard gain by breaking a pair of open-field tackles. The rookie also executed in blitz pickup. It's only a matter of time before Mixon takes over this backfield.

Joe Mixon rushed six times for 16 yards in the Bengals' second preseason game.
Jeremy Hill once again got the start, but Mixon was in on the Bengals' opening drive. Hill was more effective, turning his six carries into 28 yards. For the the summer, Mixon has taken the rock 12 times for 47 yards (3.91 YPC). Hill is proving more stubborn than expected, but Mixon is still the early-season touch favorite in the Bengals' backfield.



Week 3

Joe Mixon rushed eight times for 31 yards in the Bengals' third preseason game.

Jeremy Hill once again got the "start," while Giovani Bernard was the second back in the game, but Mixon got snaps on the Bengals' opening drive. He was the offense's most impressive back, showing balance and explosion. He did commit a boneheaded fumble, failing to look the ball in on what may have been a miscommunication with Andy Dalton.
 
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