FTN Fantasy Stat of the Day: Running Back Stuff Rate

Our FTN Fantasy tools and stats provide so much detail and insight on players. The release this week of our FTN StatsHub provides subscribers with the most powerful NFL insights available. When making preseason draft decisions or facing in-season start/sit dilemmas, having access to our robust database is a huge advantage over your competition. Each week will provide a deep dive into one of our core stats here at FTN Fantasy and highlights the strengths or weaknesses of certain players.

Running Back Stuff Rate

Running back production is the heart and soul of our fantasy teams. We start at least two RBs and often one or two more at the flex positions. As (primarily) the only position that can accumulate fantasy points via the run or pass, finding the most efficient fantasy producers in NFL backfields is a critical skill. Often a running back can have his production unfairly stifled by facing stacked defensive lines every week. Using StatsHub, let’s take a closer look at the best running backs against stacked boxes last season.

It is not surprising that players such as Gus Edwards, Josh Jacobs, Javonte Williams and Najee Harris all finished in the top-10 in facing stacked boxes. All four players operated behind a quarterback who was not a prolific passer. While Edwards did operate behind the NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson, teams always needed to load the box against the Ravens to account for Jackson’s rushing ability.

We are able to use StatsHub to then further assess a running back’s ability to produce against those stacked boxes. Here are my thoughts on each of the 11 running backs listed above:

Kareem Hunt: No running back faced a higher percentage of stacked boxes than Hunt, and his 19.3% stuffed rate may be directly related to why he is still a free agent entering the 2024 season.
Gus Edwards: a huge positive for Edwards upcoming role as the lead running back with the Chargers. His 11.1% stuffed rate is the lowest of any RB on this list. Shoutout to FTN’s Frank Brank for recognizing this earlier in the week.
Ty Chandler: Could the Minnesota backup running back serve as the quintessential post-hype sleeper behind Aaron Jones in Minnesota? His 13.7% stuffed rate suggests he may have more elusiveness than he displayed in 2023.
Josh Jacobs: The new Green Bay lead running back should benefit from a massive upgrade at quarterback to Jordan Love, although his 19.3% stuffed rate does little to inspire confidence.
Chuba Hubbard: Hard to knock Hubbard’s performance in last year’s anemic Carolina offense. New head coach Dave Canales needs to work his quarterback magic again with second-year signal-caller Bryce Young.
Khalil Herbert: His 16.7% stuffed rate is better than expected and is another data point that illuminates the Chicago RBs elusiveness. Will he get a chance with the Bears in a crowded backfield?
Javonte Williams: A 19.8% stuffed rate is alarming, when you consider Denver’s offensive line was better than league average. Williams needs to prove his lack of wiggle was the direct result of the first year back from ACL/LCL surgery.
AJ Dillon: His 17.8% stuffed rate was too high for residing in Jordan Love’s backfield. The “best shape of his life” tweets better be true with rookie MarShawn Lloyd breathing down his neck for the RB2 spot.
Tyler Allgeier: Great offensive line but terrible quarterback play. Recent reports have Allgeier still projected for a big role in the Atlanta offense.
Najee Harris: Faced a high rate of stuffed boxes but did little with them. For comparison, Jaylen Warren faced stacked boxes 17.4% of the time and was stuffed at a much lower 16.8% of the time.
David Montgomery: Was surprised to see Monty faced such a high (26.9%) rate of stacked boxes but was not surprised the crafty veteran still showed off his elusiveness (11.9%). For all the Jahmyr Gibbs truthers, the rookie was actually stuffed at a much higher rate (17%) than Montgomery.

FTN Fantasy Stat of the Day: Running Back Stuff Rate

Running Back Stuff Rate

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