One Simple RB Shuffle in Tampa Bay Changes Everything for Fantasy Football Owners in Week 7

Fantasy football analyst Pranav Rajaram breaks down what to make of a now-messy Tampa Bay Buccaneers' backfield and other RB situations to monitor ahead of Week 7.

The Buccaneers backfield, which was once thought to be a clear-cut, top-10 fantasy running back situation, has now taken a drastic turn. In Week 6, both Fournette and Jones were active, but it was the latter who received the majority of the carries and more importantly, the goal-line work.

Fournette, who was thought to be the clear-cut starter coming into the season, was limited in practice all week due to a hip injury he sustained in Week 5. Jones, on the other hand, practiced in full and, as a result, received the start. Jones’ snaps are trending upward, while Fournette’s snaps are trending downward.

This new development puts fantasy owners in a pickle, especially those who drafted Fournette in the first round. The uncertainty in the Buccaneers backfield makes it difficult for owners to trust either running back as a reliable fantasy option. However, based on the current trend, Jones appears to be the better option moving forward.

But the Buccaneers backfield isn’t the only RB situation to monitor ahead of Week 7. Another situation to keep an eye on is the Indianapolis Colts backfield. The Colts, who were thought to be a run-heavy team coming into the season, have been anything but that. In Week 6, they rushed the ball a total of 14 times for 53 yards.

The Colts backfield is a mess, with Hines, Taylor, and Wilkins all vying for carries. However, based on the current trend, Taylor appears to be the clear-cut starter. His snaps are trending upward, while Hines’ snaps are trending downward.

Another RB situation to monitor is the New Orleans Saints backfield. The Saints, who were thought to be a pass-happy team coming into the season, have actually been running the ball a lot. In Week 6, they rushed the ball a total of 32 times for 152 yards.

The Saints backfield is currently led by Kamara, who has been the workhorse for the team this season. However, Ingram has slowly started to trend upward in terms of snaps. Ingram is a reliable receiving back who can be a viable option in PPR formats.

Lastly, the Seattle Seahawks backfield is another situation to monitor. The Seahawks, who were thought to be a run-heavy team coming into the season, have actually been passing the ball a lot. In Week 6, they rushed the ball a total of 22 times for 67 yards.

The Seahawks backfield is currently led by Carson, who has been the clear-cut starter this season. However, Penny has slowly started to trend upward in terms of snaps. Penny is a talented back who can be a viable option in standard formats.

In conclusion, the Buccaneers backfield is now a messy situation that fantasy owners need to monitor. However, it’s not the only RB situation to keep an eye on. Other RB situations to monitor include the Colts, Saints, and Seahawks backfields.