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Buy These Young Emerging RBs in Dynasty

Dynasty RB Buys

Finding talented RBs before they become RB1s on their team is a huge advantage in dynasty.

I outlined Braelon Allen back in Week 3 as a dynasty buy, and despite Breece Hall's talent, he continues to get playing time for the Jets. 

We can use college profiles, film analysis, and early usage to assess whether a young RB will catapult his fantasy value.

Identifying Special Traits Through Film

Too many fantasy managers go by just fantasy points.

My background's in film analysis, so I’ll always turn to watching players' traits -- including their strengths and weaknesses -- to see if the talent matches the output.

Several young RBs exploded for big fantasy scores in Week 5. Three stood out as even more impressive on film than their numbers indicated.

Let’s dive into three young RBs who have emerged but are still values heading into Week 6.

Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants

With RB Devin Singletary out against the Seahawks, the Giants initially split work between Tracy and Eric Gray. After Gray gave up a fumble at the goal line that went for a TD the other way, though, Tracy took over.

He finished with 18 carries for 129 yards. And he impressed me throughout the game with vision, quickness, and angle ability reminiscent of a young DeAngelo Williams.

Electric Vision on Film

This dive was scripted to go through the B gap to the left. But as Tracy gets to the line, he recognizes the Seahawks LB moving to squeeze that gap.

The RB makes a beautiful side cut to the A gap, eliminating the entire second level of defense.

The side cut showed up on Tracy’s college film, but he struggled with vision at Purdue -- which made sense for a WR converted to RB.

Seeing him develop that aspect of his game so early in his NFL career is extremely promising, especially since the Giants staff favors RBs with good vision, like Devin Singletary.

Tracy’s patience emerges in this trap play, allowing the guard to finish his pull and cutting upfield through the ensuing hole.

The play could have been a loss if Tracy had slowed down to anticipate the block. Young backs often grow impatient and cut too early, limiting their yardage. 

Instead, Tracy executes the play perfectly.

The Giants shifting to Tracy over Gray helped them win this game.

Stats Back Up Film

Tracy’s advanced statistics for Week 5 line up with the film:

• seventh in PFF rush grade (among 61 RBs with a carry)
• most 10+ yard rushes (four)
• 13th in yards after contact per attempt

Gray ranked dead last in PFF rush grade for Week 5.

Tracy should retain a prominent role even after Singletary’s return -- perhaps even the potential to pass the veteran before the end of the year.

Tracy has a value of 17 on our default PPR Dynasty Trade Value Chart. You might be able to deal a veteran WR such as Tyler Lockett or DeAndre Hopkins for him.

Sync your league and get a custom Trade Value Chart based on your scoring to see his value in your league.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bigsby achieved the fantasy pinnacle in Week 5: leading RBs in scoring.

Despite coming into the week as the backup to Travis Etienne, Bigsby earned more opportunities to explode in the second half. (Or, if you believe HC Doug Pederson, he benefited from Etienne's shoulder injury.)

Bigsby was a plodding lead back in college, flashing domination between the tackles at Auburn. He never revealed himself to be a big play weapon. 

This continued through a disappointing rookie year.

Bigsby drew rave reviews in training camp but continued to get limited opportunities before this past week.

Now it should be difficult to make him a backup again.

Power and Contact Balance on Film

This insane TD run (which ended with a fumble and recovery by Bigsby) highlights exactly where he has improved.

Bigsby shows decisiveness, getting skinny through the hole while blowing through arm tackles.

His contact balance on the first hit at the second level approaches all-star levels. He keeps his feet moving while spinning and continuing upfield. Bigsby then runs into another defender.

In most cases, this is where the run would end. But Bigsby keeps his knees bent and feet moving to limit the impact of contact.

Bigsby reminds me of (a smaller) Jerome Bettis in his prime. No one could bring him down cleanly, and those feet never stopped moving. It takes the power away from the defender and gives it to the RB.

This run highlights Bigsby’s vision and explosion.

The toss play likely was intended to run a bit more outside, but the edge was set almost immediately. 

Bigsby identifies the run blitzer and stops to turn upfield.  He explodes through the line faster than any defender. Those anticipating an outside run don't have time to adjust and tackle an exploding Bigsby.

He follows his blockers well to lean toward the middle of the field and finishes with a nasty stiff arm. It was a textbook explosive run.

These are plays we haven’t seen Etienne make this season.

Dominant Tackle Breaker

Bigsby led all Week 5 RBs in yards after contact per attempt with 8.08. He also led all RBs in Week 4 (8.00).

Those are the two best single-week marks this year by any RB with 3+ carries.

Bigsby has outplayed Etienne this season, and the Jaguars should feature Bigsby more going forward.

Use our Dynasty Trade Calculator to set up a deal for Bigsby today based on your league's rosters, scoring, and settings

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane left with a first-quarter concussion in Week 5. So the Dolphins turned to Wright to complement Raheem Mostert.

The rookie upstaged the veteran, rushing 13 times for 86 yards. And he showcased his power in the open field.

Most focus on Wright's 4.38 speed, but some of the more nuanced aspects of his game came through in Week 5. His production shows he deserves more playing time.

Speed + Power

Cutting twice in the backfield generally stalls a run. On this run, however, Wright makes quick decisions to turn a potential loss into a huge gain.

Wright’s hole disappears on this dive play before the handoff even happens. He cuts left and then takes the B gap after his LT is shed, easily outrunning the LBs at the next level.

Wright’s vision and speed turn this potential dead play into a 17-yard rush. But he also impresses by falling forward upon contact and keeping his balance for an additional gain.

Wright’s speed and explosiveness are well documented, so let’s examine his power.

Miami should give Wright toss plays every game. He doesn’t lose velocity when catching the toss and takes the perfect angle to give himself options.

The safety is coming down to meet Wright. Most runners would protect themselves and be driven backward. Instead, Wright makes a rare move for a speed back: He lowers his shoulder and runs through the contact to pick up an extra yard.

Throughout the game, Wright picked up yardage that most backs would leave on the field. He looked better than Mostert and might have a shot to pass the vet on the depth chart this year.

Best Rusher of Week 5?

The advanced statistics from the week highlight just how dominant Wright was:

• top PFF rushing grade
• sixth in yards after contact per attempt (4.62)
• 4 missed tackles forced
• tied for 2nd in 10+ yard runs (three)
• hit 20.58 mph

The Dolphins gave up a future third-round pick to jump back into the draft and grab Wright. Now that he showcases an advanced skill set, his role will only increase.

The injury history of Achane and Mostert can only help Wright's chances of getting on the field. And being a home run threat means upside.

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.