Okay, that title is a little tongue-in-cheek. Nothing in fantasy football is guaranteed — especially running backs. Even the good ones aren’t guaranteed year-to-year success, so when I asked the GoingFor2 team to give me some of their breakout running backs for 2021, it was no small task…
Embed from Getty ImagesBrian Craighead @vandygrad92: Chase Edmonds (ARI)
After the Cardinals’ 2020 starting running back, Kenyan Drake, signed with the Raiders in free agency, Edmonds will open 2021 as the starter. James Conner was brought in to replace Drake, but injury will be a concern as Conner has missed nine games over the last two seasons.
Drake finished 2020 as the number 16 PPR RB, while Edmonds finished 25th. During the 2020 campaign, Edmonds had 97 rushes for 448 yards(4.4 yards/carry) and one TD, while adding 53 catches for an additional 402 yards(4 TD’s). Edmonds was 7th amongst RB’s in yards/touch and 11th in target share but only had a 45.1 percent snap share.
With his efficiency in both the run and passing games, Edmonds only needs to bump up his average touches/game slightly from last year’s 9.4 to land in the top 20.
Shawn Sullivan @shawn_sulli5: Javonte Williams (DEN)
Widely regarded as one of the best RBs of the 2021 class, the only obstacle is Melvin Gordon. But we may be looking at a more even timeshare than Gordon had with Philip Lindsay last season or even a timeshare favoring Williams.
The Broncos traded up in the second to draft Williams, there’s no reason to not push the rookie into the starting lineup immediately, especially since Gordon will not be a part of the Bronco’s future. He can be an every-down back or at the very least an early-down back. Getting him 14+ carries a game could easily place him in the conversation among RB2 candidates, while also taking pressure off Drew Lock and the passing game.
Gary Zamarripa @garyzam01: Gus Edwards (BAL)
Gus Edwards is poised to be a fantastic value at RB this season. He just signed a 2-year $10 million contract extension to remain the 1B running back to JK Dobbins in Baltimore. Last season he rushed for 723 yards and 6 TDs compared to Dobbins 805 yards and 9 TDs.
According to FantasyPros consensus ADP, he is being drafted 24 spots after Dobbins. He has standalone flex value and you have an RB1 if Dobbins misses any games this season.
Joe Puerschner @joepuersch22: Zack Moss (BUF)
Very solid receiver out of the backfield seems to have the trust of the Bills coaching staff as the RB1 over Singletary. On one of the best offenses in the league, Moss will have many opportunities to score in addition to his pass-catching upside. Which should lead to solid RB2 numbers.
Embed from Getty ImagesWayne Brady @socratictheory: Trey Sermon (SF)
Barring some type of injury setback, TREY SERMON WILL HAVE A BIG SEASON. Sermon was my number 1 running back in the 2021 class well before the NFL draft. A slashing zone runner that knows how to manipulate defenders at an elite level goes to one of the best zone running teams in the league. That’s a recipe for a big season.
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