With many NFL teams using a running back by committee approach White James Daniels Jerseys , the “bell cow” back who carries the ball 20 times per game has become a hot commodity in fantasy football. 10 of the first 15 players taken in typical drafts are running backs. If you want to field a competitive lineup this season, focus on RBs early.Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson are usually the first running backs selected in typical drafts.Gurley flourished in Rams coach Sean McVay’s revamped offense last season, leading all RBs with 13 rushing TDs, and he posted 64 receptions. He’s the major cog in a top offense.Bell has been a top 3 fantasy RB three of the past four seasons, but he’s expected to miss his second straight training camp due to a contract dispute with the Steelers. Missing camp last season may have contributed to his slow start. He’ll likely have another productive season, but buyer beware; Bell’s played the most snaps of any NFL RB since the 2013 season.Elliott led all RBs in 2017 with 98.3 rushing yards per game and will be the centerpiece of a depleted Cowboys offense. He’ll also likely play a bigger role in the Cowboys pass offense this season.Johnson missed most of the 2017 season due to a wrist injury, but he’ll be the focal point of the Arizona offense. He rushed for 1,239 yards, scored 20 total TDs and registered 80 receptions in 2016. He’ll run behind a fullback this season to minimize injury risk. Expect him to approach 2016 rushing and pass-catching stats.Alvin Kamara caught 81 passes last season, but the Saints may need him to play more snaps than he’s accustomed to while Mark Ingram serves a four game drug suspension. He may not match last season’s combined 13 TDs, however he’ll play a big part in the Saints passing game.Saquon Barkley is expected to have a big impact in his rookie season, both in the Giants run game and in their passing offense. He was going to have a big role anyway, but Barkley’s pass protection abilities will ensure he’ll be on the field for the majority of the Giants’ offensive snaps.Kareem Hunt led NFL RBs with 1,327 rushing yards and added 53 receptions last season. He’ll be the Chiefs‘ primary back in 2018 and may see a slight uptick in receiving targets with inexperienced QB Patrick Mahomes potentially using him as a safety valve in pressure situations.Melvin Gordon’s 3.8 career yards per carry (YPC) may not impress, however he had the third-most red zone carries among RBs last season and has scored 24 TDs in his last 29 games. TDs are hard to predict, but the Chargers consistently provide Gordon with a high volume of scoring opportunities. Gordon caught 58 balls out of the backfield in 2017 and his reception totals have increased in each of the past three seasons.The Jaguars run-first offense will provide Leonard Fournette plenty of opportunities. He rushed for 1,040 yards and scored 10 total TDs in his 2017 rookie campaign James Daniels Jerseys 2019 , but wore down as the season progressed. He’s had a history of foot related injuries dating back to his college days, and may not have prolific ball-catching skills, but if Fournette’s health holds up, he should post another 1,000-yard rushing season.Dalvin Cook is recovering from a torn ACL, but should be ready for Week 1. Although Latavius Murray will have a role in the Vikings backfield, Cook will be their primary back. Barring setbacks, pencil him in for 1,000-plus rushing yards and about 40 catches.Although he’ll still have fantasy value in standard (non-PPR) leagues, Christian McCaffrey’s 80 receptions from 2017 make him extra valuable in PPR. The Panthers have suggested he could get 25 to 30 touches per game. That sounds optimistic considering that C.J. Anderson is now in the mix, but if he approaches that workload, McCaffrey can possibly outplay his expectations of being a top 12 fantasy RB.Falcons RB Devonta Freeman landed in the NFL’s concussion protocol twice last season. He also sprained both his MCL and PCL. When healthy he is one of the top RBs in all scoring formats.Jerick McKinnon never had more than 159 carries in a season, but he’ll be the featured back in the 49ers offense. His outstanding pass-catching abilities make him valuable in PPR leagues, however his lack of experience as a bell cow back and smallish frame makes you wonder if he can withstand the rigors of a 16 game NFL season.Bengals RB Joe Mixon has immense talent, however inconsistency, a bad offensive line and uneven usage contributed to his underwhelming rookie season. As the Bengals’ primary back, if his offensive line improves its level of play he could enjoy a breakout season.Jordan Howard has an outstanding career 4.6 YPC, however he’s had problems catching the ball. The Bears insist he’ll be their featured back, however Tarik Cohen’s abilities as a pass catcher could cut into Howard’s snaps.LeSean McCoy’s offseason troubles and the anemic Bills offense make him risky. Jay Ajayi may break some runs this season but he’s an injury risk in a crowded Eagles backfield. Avoid the Seahawks backfield until there is more clarity regarding Rashaad Penny’s and Chris Carson’s playing time. Sony Michel is expected to miss the rest of the preseason due to a knee injury that could also affect his availability to start the regular season.Royce Freeman is a very talented RB who may end up being Denver’s featured back. Keep an eye on De’Angelo Henderson as well. Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch is a mid-level RB2 who is being drafted as an RB3.ROTOEXPERTS TOP 15 RBS, PPR LEAGUESDavid Johnson White Dan Hampton Jerseys , Arizona CardinalsLe’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh SteelersTodd Gurley, Los Angeles RamsAlvin Kamara, New Orleans SaintsMelvin Gordon, Los Angeles ChargersSaquon Barkley, New York GiantsEzekiel Elliott, Dallas CowboysKareem Hunt, Kansas City ChiefsDalvin Cook, Minnesota VikingsChristian McCaffrey, Carolina PanthersLeonard Fournette, Jacksonville JaguarsDevonta Freeman, Atlanta FalconsJerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ersLeSean McCoy, Buffalo BillsKenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins The offseason enters a new phase, as this week marks the start of the NFL’s "Underwear Olympics""Being who you thought we were since 2005!Log In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsBearsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Latest NewsThe Bears DenNotesXs and OsSuperfansThe Bear’s Den, February 25, 2019New,33commentsThe offseason enters a new phase, as this week marks the start of the NFL’s “Underwear Olympics”CSTShareTweetShareShareThe Bear’s Den Dan Hampton Jerseys 2019 , February 25, 2019Future Chicago Bears & then Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith runs the 40 yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil StadiumBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsBEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSBears grades and needs: Critical decisions loom on free agents Adrian Amos, Bryce Callahan - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears may be stuck deciding between retaining slot corner Bryce Callahan or safety Adrian Amos, but not both.NFL Mock Draft: Chicago Bears grab Ohio State WR in 3rd round - Bears Wire - A new NFL.com 2019 NFL Mock Draft has the Chicago Bears grabbing an Ohio State wide receiver in the third round.What are the odds? The 2019 NFL Combine Prop Bets - Touchdown Wire - The underwear Olympics are just three days away in Indianapolis. Most likely you did not get invited to the NFL combine; but don’t worry, you can still wager on it. The oddsmakers at BetOnline.AG sports have released the first round of combine prop bets.Ranking the Chicago Bears’ draft needs heading into NFL Combine - Bears Wire - Ranking the top four 2019 NFL draft needs for the Chicago Bears entering the NFL scouting combine.Perez: Complete 7-round order for the 2019 NFL Draft - Draft Wire - Complete order of all seven rounds of picks for the 2019 NFL draftMedina: Mitch Trubisky’s Development is in Good Hands With Bears Receivers and Other Bullets - Bleacher Nation - Bears receivers were exceptional at catching passes last season.Medina: Steelers GM Says Three Teams Have Already Expressed Interest in Trading for Antonio Brown - Bleacher Nation - Should the Bears be one of these teams in the hunt? Or should they be passing on this opportunity? Ken’s Note: There’s as much of a chance as the Bears will re-sign Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett as there is they pursue either Brown or Bell. OK, to be fair, there’s MORE of a chance they go after Marshall / Bennett than Brown / Bell.Kyle Long takes subtle jab at those questioning his health - 247Sports - Kyle Long’s name has come up a lot this offseason when speculating which members of the Chicago Bears could get released. It is not that Long has been a disappointment for the Bears, but rather he has struggled to stay on the field the last three seasons. Injuries have gotten the best of him after he went to three straight Pro Bowls to begin his NFL career as a first-round pick of the organization.Soble: Why Tyrann Mathieu is an Ideal Free Agent Target for Bears - The Loop Sports - The Bears have a vacancy at safety, with Adrian Amos set to hit free agency. Ditto slot corner, where Bryce Callahan will test the market as well.Smith: Robbie Gould sounds interested in returning to Chicago – ProFootballTalk - Just before the start of the 2016 season, Bears General Manager Ryan Pace cut kicker Robbie Gould. Since then, Gould leads the NFL in field goal percentage, while the Bears have had a series of kicking problems.Bears grades and needs: Will an open competition lead to a kicking fix? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears will bring in more kickers than Redford Jones to compete to find the desperately necessary fix to their placekicking woes.POLISH SAUSAGEAAF “onside conversion” makes an appearance, results in big play – ProFootballTalk - The Alliance of American Football does not have kickoffs, but it does have a replacement for onside kicks, a new play that made an appearance in today’s game in Atlanta -- and added some fun to the end of a blowout.Trent Richardson continues to make plays in the AAF – ProFootballTalk - Christian Hackenberg has been a disaster in the Alliance of American Football, but another former NFL draft bust is making the most of the chance the AAF is giving him. Trent Richardson, the former No.Trent Richardson White Richard Dent Jerseys , Iron run roughshod over Legends - NFL.com - Trent Richardson, a former Cleveland Browns first-round pick, found pay dirt three times to lead the Birmingham Iron to a 28-12 thumping of the Atlanta Legends in the AAF.Jon Gruden sees ‘a lot of potential’ in trading picks - NFL.com - Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he is open to trading any of his three first-round picks in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft as there is “a lot of potential for trades.”KNOW THY ENEMY2019 NFL Draft Profile: Corbin Kaufusi can provide late round value for Matt Patricia’s defense - Pride Of Detroit - Trying to find a fit in Matt Patricia’s defense can be difficult, but some guys stand out specifically for how well they fit the scheme, like BYU’s Corbin KaufusiVikings Off Season Plan - Pre Combine Edition - Daily Norseman - Mark is at it again, everybody2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Full schedule of events, workouts, & interviews - Acme Packing Company - Tune in all week for full coverage of the event.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONInfante's 2019 Bears offseason outlook: Ranking each position based off of need before free agency - Windy City Gridiron - Which positions will the Bears focus on the most this offseason? Here’s an in-depth look at how they stand at each position, as well as some free agent targets and draft prospects.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. 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