These shifty smaller backs are what you want. (1 Viewer)

[ilianawindfae]

Too small isn't too small anymore. James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, etc are the guys you want nowadays.

I might start exclusively drafting all these players people say are too small, hell, I'll overdraft the next 180 lb runningback with obvious juice but durability concerns.

It's all about getting your tiny player into space and having him make a move. These 4.0 YPC runningbacks are relics from a different time. You want these 5-7 YPC little guy machines. Gobbling up yards, catching dumpoffs.



I think the paradigm may have officially shifted. You want to be little and fast as a RB in modern NFL. It's the big guys carrying all that weight that tear their ACLs. Shifty little guy is too busy scampering out of bounds to get a water break.

 

[finfansteve]

Too small isn't too small anymore. James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, etc are the guys you want nowadays.

I might start exclusively drafting all these players people say are too small, hell, I'll overdraft the next 180 lb runningback with obvious juice but durability concerns.

It's all about getting your tiny player into space and having him make a move. These 4.0 YPC runningbacks are relics from a different time. You want these 5-7 YPC little guy machines. Gobbling up yards, catching dumpoffs.



I think the paradigm may have officially shifted. You want to be little and fast as a RB in modern NFL. It's the big guys carrying all that weight that tear their ACLs. Shifty little guy is too busy scampering out of bounds to get a water break.

I think you’re on to something here. In my 12 team redraft a month ago I went into the draft picking 1.08 and my game plan was Gibbs at 1.08 and a change on the wraparound in round two. When I was on the clock I took neither and am already regretting it. I also had plans to take AR in round 5 and didn’t do that either. I was gonna try to break fantasy football with those three and whoever I took in round 3/4 boom or bust one way or the other. Instead I got conservative and already regret it

 

[EBF]

The prototype is always going to be the Tomlinson, Saquon, Peterson type of guy who can handle high volume while still being explosive.

There aren't many of them in the league right now, but that species is still the dream in FF.

Gibbs owners aren't going to be so happy with him losing half the carries to Montgomery in weeks when he doesn't fluke a short TD.

Part-time backs can be gold in PPR, but you don't really want your star RB1 losing 40-50% of the workload.

Every down players simply have a much higher ceiling.

 

[Dizzy]

Too small isn't too small anymore. James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, etc are the guys you want nowadays.

I might start exclusively drafting all these players people say are too small, hell, I'll overdraft the next 180 lb runningback with obvious juice but durability concerns.

It's all about getting your tiny player into space and having him make a move. These 4.0 YPC runningbacks are relics from a different time. You want these 5-7 YPC little guy machines. Gobbling up yards, catching dumpoffs.



I think the paradigm may have officially shifted. You want to be little and fast as a RB in modern NFL. It's the big guys carrying all that weight that tear their ACLs. Shifty little guy is too busy scampering out of bounds to get a water break.

I don't know man... didn't Achane miss several games last year (INJ)? Kind of remember Gibbs missing a couple weeks as well. And none of these guys are handling 20-25 carries on a weekly basis. I think those 4.0 YPC "relics" are still in fashion for a while.

 

[Gruden's Keyboard]

I prefer RBs that get the most points.

 

[TheWinz]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I so misread this topic title at a glance.

 

[TheWinz]

I so misread this topic title at a glance.

They're shiFty!

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I so misread this topic title at a glance.

They're shiFty!

Laugh reaction.

Now let’s talk about all the violins on television!


/Litella

 

[TheWinz]

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

Thought of this video as soon as I read the thread.

 

[WaltonGoggins]

Too small isn't too small anymore. James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, etc are the guys you want nowadays.

I might start exclusively drafting all these players people say are too small, hell, I'll overdraft the next 180 lb runningback with obvious juice but durability concerns.

It's all about getting your tiny player into space and having him make a move. These 4.0 YPC runningbacks are relics from a different time. You want these 5-7 YPC little guy machines. Gobbling up yards, catching dumpoffs.



I think the paradigm may have officially shifted. You want to be little and fast as a RB in modern NFL. It's the big guys carrying all that weight that tear their ACLs. Shifty little guy is too busy scampering out of bounds to get a water break.

I don't know man... didn't Achane miss several games last year (INJ)? Kind of remember Gibbs missing a couple weeks as well. And none of these guys are handling 20-25 carries on a weekly basis. I think those 4.0 YPC "relics" are still in fashion for a while.

he only played in 11 games last year

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

 

[Dizzy]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

Google said 197. Kyren was 203 at RB4. Not sure where these numbers came from but it was the quickest most literal answer to his inquiry I could provide.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare. Every RB under 200 lbs drafted in Rounds 1-3 the last 3 NFL drafts has been a machine. There's been 3 of them and they're all awesome.

 

[Dizzy]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

Google said 197. Kyren was 203 at RB4. Not sure where these numbers came from but it was the quickest most literal answer to his inquiry I could provide.

Well if you're sneaking up to the 200-lb plus/minus category... let's just throw names like Barry Sanders and Maurice Jones-Drew out there... they were pretty good too.

NFL history has a lot of "under-sized" (not "prototypical) RBs that did quite well. And I'm talking smaller (shorter/lighter) than Barry and MJD.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

Google said 197. Kyren was 203 at RB4. Not sure where these numbers came from but it was the quickest most literal answer to his inquiry I could provide.

Well if you're sneaking up to the 200-lb plus/minus category... let's just throw names like Barry Sanders and Maurice Jones-Drew out there... they were pretty good too.

NFL history has a lot of "under-sized" (not "prototypical) RBs that did quite well. And I'm talking smaller (shorter/lighter) than Barry and MJD.

Nobody is sneaking, the gentleman literally asked me a question of the last time a RB under 200 lbs finished Top 10 and I provided an answer.

 

[Dizzy]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

We love you Dizzy!!

 

[Dizzy]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

We love you Dizzy!!

Thanks. I love all you tiny runningbacks too.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

We love you Dizzy!!

Thanks. I love all you tiny runningbacks too.

Bucky Irving weighs 194 lbs but was drafted in Round 4. Am thinking that distinction makes him a dud?


I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere. Maybe he's closer to a 50/50 proposition. Still fairly early for a player his size, but may have gone earlier if he was a larger man?


He did go 6 / 62 for 6.9 YPC against the Redskins. That fits our YPC requirement and he caught a pair of passes too. I think we may found our next guy.

 

[Dizzy]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

We love you Dizzy!!

Thanks. I love all you tiny runningbacks too.

Bucky Irving weighs 194 lbs but was drafted in Round 4. Am thinking that distinction makes him a dud?


I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere. Maybe he's closer to a 50/50 proposition. Still fairly early for a player his size, but may have gone earlier if he was a larger man?


He did go 6 / 62 for 6.9 YPC against the Redskins. That fits our YPC requirement and he caught a pair of passes too. I think we may found our next guy.

OK, I'm dropping out because you're just trying to make a "thing" out something that has been a part of the NFL forever. You list Gibbs as one of these new age "little guys" but he is the same size as Barry Sanders, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, and the list goes on. This is nothing new (unless you're new to this).

 

[ilianawindfae]

I have to assume this thread was started because Cook and Achane went nuts in week 2. The problem with smaller RB's is they don't hold up. Gimme a large plodder any day. The small shifty guys excel in PPR leagues, but even so, do you know the last time an under-200 pound RB finished top 10?

Raheem Mostert RB2 last year.
Jahmyr Gibbs RB10 last year.
James Cook RB11 last year.

PPR of course.

Mostert? He's a 200-pounder, no?

RB 10 & 11 don't exactly say " changing of the guard" per the OP suggestion.

I said the paradigm shifted this year. Every little guy RB drafted in the 1st - 3rd Round in the last 2-3 years been a beast.

Don't force me to explain there's not more little guys on the list because there's literally less of them... but they've literally all become fantasy relevant. 100% of them.


They are the guys you want because they're rare.

Whoa, no reason to whip out your "big" words. It's been 1 week... one.

We love you Dizzy!!

Thanks. I love all you tiny runningbacks too.

Bucky Irving weighs 194 lbs but was drafted in Round 4. Am thinking that distinction makes him a dud?


I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere. Maybe he's closer to a 50/50 proposition. Still fairly early for a player his size, but may have gone earlier if he was a larger man?


He did go 6 / 62 for 6.9 YPC against the Redskins. That fits our YPC requirement and he caught a pair of passes too. I think we may found our next guy.

OK, I'm dropping out because you're just trying to make a "thing" out something that has been a part of the NFL forever. You list Gibbs as one of these new age "little guys" but he is the same size as Barry Sanders, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, and the list goes on. This is nothing new (unless you're new to this).

You were looking for a reason to drop out. Have a nice night.


ETA:

Chris Johnson, 203 lbs
Maurice Jones-Drew, 207 lbs
Barry Sanders, 203 lbs

 

[TheWinz]

For the purpose of this discussion, are you saying Mostert is a shifty smaller back?

 

[ilianawindfae]

For the purpose of this discussion, are you saying Mostert is a shifty smaller back?

No, I was answering the gentleman's question of the last time a RB under 200 lbs finished Top 10.

I was as shocked as you when I saw his weight. He's a straight line speed guy. I'd even bet he weighs over 200 lbs, but I can only answer the questions that are asked.


I'm thinking more along the lines of players who are obviously under 200 for my analysis. Like, if you targeted these little guys instead of saying "he's too tiny" you'd be sitting pretty the last few years.

At this point, Jahmyr Gibbs and Devon Achene have both outscored Bijan Robinson. James Cook outscored Kenneth Walker last year. They've been some of the highest producing players from their draft class most recently.

I've been doing this a longtime and you used to avoid this archetype, but now they've become viable. Even preferable to their counterparts.

 

[TheWinz]

For the purpose of this discussion, are you saying Mostert is a shifty smaller back?

No, I was answering the gentleman's question of the last time a RB under 200 lbs finished Top 10.

I was as shocked as you when I saw his weight. He's a straight line speed guy. I'd even bet he weighs over 200 lbs, but I can only answer the questions that are asked.

I'm thinking more along the lines of players who are obviously under 200 for my analysis. Like, if you targeted these little guys instead of saying "he's too tiny" you'd be sitting pretty the last few years.

I've been doing this a longtime and you used to avoid this archetype, but now they've become viable.

I am the gentleman who asked the question, hahaha. Yes, I also saw where Google listed Mostert as 197 pounds, but if you follow the link that says he's 197 (wikipedia), it changes to 205, like every other site on the internet that I could find. Also, he finished RB5 in PPR, not RB2. But, as you said, you weren't even talking about him when you created the post, so let's get to who you were talking about. Can you please list the top 10 shifty RB's you are talking about? I assume Jahmyr Gibbs, De'Von Achane, and James Cook are on the list. I would love to discuss specific players instead of simply drawing a line in the sand on the weight. I mean, technically, a RB who is 230 pounds could be a shifty back, if he were 7 feet tall

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I prefer RBs that get the most points.

What a concept.

 

[ilianawindfae]

For the purpose of this discussion, are you saying Mostert is a shifty smaller back?

No, I was answering the gentleman's question of the last time a RB under 200 lbs finished Top 10.

I was as shocked as you when I saw his weight. He's a straight line speed guy. I'd even bet he weighs over 200 lbs, but I can only answer the questions that are asked.

I'm thinking more along the lines of players who are obviously under 200 for my analysis. Like, if you targeted these little guys instead of saying "he's too tiny" you'd be sitting pretty the last few years.

I've been doing this a longtime and you used to avoid this archetype, but now they've become viable.

I am the gentleman who asked the question, hahaha. Yes, I also saw where Google listed Mostert as 197 pounds, but if you follow the link that says he's 197 (wikipedia), it changes to 205, like every other site on the internet that I could find. Also, he finished RB5 in PPR, not RB2. But, as you said, you weren't even talking about him when you created the post, so let's get to who you were talking about. Can you please list the top 10 shifty RB's you are talking about? I assume Jahmyr Gibbs, De'Von Achane, and James Cook are on the list. I would love to discuss specific players instead of simply drawing a line in the sand on the weight. I mean, technically, a RB who is 230 pounds could be a shifty back, if he were 7 feet tall

Well, that's the thing there aren't a lot of them, so when they get drafted early it's indicative of their robust talent.


The only 4 I can think of are Gibbs, Cook, Achane, and Irving. If there's anymore they are 3rd stringers I've never heard of. Finding a list of every RB weight is actually harder than you think it would be in 2024 lol.


Must be an "advanced metric". All the other sub 200 lb guys all stink that I could find and were drafted way late or undrafted:

Frank Gore Jr, Deuce Vaughn, Jaleel Mclaughlin, etc.

 

[ilianawindfae]

I forgot about Justice Hill. He could end up being a thing this year. He outscored Derrick Henry in Week 1 in PPR.

Small shifty guy catching dumpoffs, he was drafted in the 4th Round in 2019.

 

[Gatorade]

Frank Gore Jr, Deuce Vaughn, Jaleel Mclaughlin, etc.

When I first read the thread title, these are the guys I was expecting to read about.

 

[LawFitz]

Jaleel and Keaton Mitchell looked like Achane lites last year. Rest of them not as much in stature or style, to my lil eye, including my dude Gibbs.

 

[TheWinz]

I forgot about Justice Hill. He could end up being a thing this year. He outscored Derrick Henry in Week 1 in PPR.

Small shifty guy catching dumpoffs, he was drafted in the 4th Round in 2019.

Last year, 14 RB's caught 50 or more passes. Here are the weights of those RB's, from heaviest to lightest (weights are from Pro Football Reference, which I trust the most):
236
228
220
217
215
215
215
215
214
210
209
200
200
195

Now, let's take the above list and remove all the ones who didn't finish as a RB1. I mean, sure Samaje Perine is on this list, but do we really want to be starting him every week on our fantasy team? That leaves us with:
220
217
215
215
215
214
210
200

Next, we certainly don't want our star players missing games due to injury during our fantasy season, so let's remove anyone who sat with injury. We are now down to:
220
217
215
215
215
214
210

Finally, let's put names to those numbers:
220 - Joe Mixon, finished RB6
217 - Breece Hall, finished RB2
215 - Travis Etienne, finished RB3
215 - Bijan Robinson, finished RB8
215 - Alvin Kamara, finished RB12
214 - Rachaad White, finished RB4
210 - Christian McCaffrey, Finished RB1

These are the types of RB's I like to target. Guys that get lots of rushes, as well as catches. Nowadays in FF, it's hard to be at the top without doing both, but there are exceptions.

 

[Biabreakable]

As

Too small isn't too small anymore. James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, etc are the guys you want nowadays.

I might start exclusively drafting all these players people say are too small, hell, I'll overdraft the next 180 lb runningback with obvious juice but durability concerns.

It's all about getting your tiny player into space and having him make a move. These 4.0 YPC runningbacks are relics from a different time. You want these 5-7 YPC little guy machines. Gobbling up yards, catching dumpoffs.



I think the paradigm may have officially shifted. You want to be little and fast as a RB in modern NFL. It's the big guys carrying all that weight that tear their ACLs. Shifty little guy is too busy scampering out of bounds to get a water break.

As far as your overall point you are preaching to the choir with me.

We had this talk about James Cook last year.

I still believe that Giovanni Bernard was a better RB than Jeremy Hill but coaches have their beliefs about what works and what doesn't and the coaching bias has favored bigger RBs for the most part.

That may have changed over the last 5 years. There does seem to be more willingness to use these smaller quicker RB than before.

That said these quick twitch athletes are more prone to injury based on a study I found some time back. They are more likely to have hamstring or other injuries just from how frenetic they are on the field.

A bigger RB who doesn't have those quick twitch moves won't hurt themselves trying to make a ridiculous cut, because that won't work for them anyways.

There are many of these players who might fit your profile here who have not been successful. So I don't really agree with targeting a RB because they are below average weight, which seems to be your conclusion here.

You target the players who are good and don't let their physical profile steer you away from those players.

 

[mgodbee22]

You can build a team with them but you have to plan on them all missing time and how you will handle. Doesn’t really matter if they finish RB1. They could be RB1 in the games they play and be fine. I think RB is now like MLB pitching or load management in the NBA. Analytics has them playing less and having more.