The NFL preseason is finally over. After 15 games on Thursday night, we’re done with the exhibition part of the year and now head into the games that count. This is also the time of year when fantasy drafts kick into high gear and owners finalize their Week 1 starting lineups. It’s an exciting time to be a football fan.
Fantasy football performance of sleeper, bust running back candidates from preseason Week 4
The preseason wrapped up Thursday night, so let’s take some fantasy stock of the running backs who played.
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Not many starters played in the final preseason game — teams mostly have their depth charts figured out by now, and we mostly saw just deep reserves play on Thursday. So for the sleeper and bust candidates, we’ll examine only the players who took the field in the fourth game, along with some key injured players whose regular-season status remains uncertain. Let’s take a look at the running backs.
Potential sleepers
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers — Ty Montgomery is the starting RB, but Williams is lurking right behind in case Montgomery faceplants as the lead back. Williams led the Packers in carries Thursday night, rushing for 31 yards and catching a pass for 6 additional yards. The fourth-round rookie is a must-hold for nervous Montgomery owners.
Shane Vereen, New York Giants — Paul Perkins is heading into the season as the starter, but he wasn’t totally inspiring in preseason action. Vereen is the favorite to be the pass-catching back and he had some decent snaps Thursday, getting 43 total yards on seven touches. Vereen had 59 catches in his last healthy season (2015), and that looks to be his ceiling again this year. He’s a worthy PPR asset.
Jonathan Williams, Buffalo Bills — Williams is the handcuff to own behind LeSean McCoy, who obviously sat out the last preseason game. Williams was impressive enough against the Detroit Lions, rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Should McCoy go down at any point in the season, Williams should step in as an instant RB2.
Potential busts
Matt Forte, New York Jets — The Jets entered training camp with tire fire potential on offense, and nothing they did in August has changed that perception. Forte probably would’ve been cut already if he didn’t have $4 million guaranteed, but even if he sticks around, he’ll likely take a backseat to Bilal Powell.
Joe Williams, San Francisco 49ers — Williams had some sleeper buzz in spring OTAs, but that quickly wore off once the pads went on last month. He was productive in the preseason finale with 10 carries for 53 yards but lost a fumble in the process. In the meantime, Carlos Hyde has secured his role as the every-down workhorse. Well behind Hyde and Tim Hightower on the depth chart, Williams probably won’t be a factor in his rookie year.
