It is the end of an era in football. A stable of fantasy running backs are set to bust in 2023 after years of being high-round draft picks. Dalvin Cook and Joe Mixon are perhaps the most likely candidates, but there are others to be wary of as well.
That being said, we aren’t writing Derrick Henry off just yet. Part of that is his logic-defying performances over the years and part of that is due to the fact that Tennessee literally has no other offensive options. Seriously, they have to do something and giving the ball to their workhorse appears to be the only plan.
With that out of the way, here are four fantasy football running backs set to bust in 2023. Prepare your draft board accordingly.
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4 fantasy running backs set to bust in 2023
Dalvin Cook
For the first time in his career, Dalvin Cook went through an entire season without missing a game. Unfortunately, his numbers weren’t all that much better from 2021, when he only appeared in 13 contests. The Minnesota Vikings running back didn’t look particularly good either last season.
Declining numbers and failing the eye test are huge red flags. Cook turns 28 before the season starts and given his milage, a return to form seems unlikely.
Joe Mixon
We don’t know where Joe Mixon will be playing next season although a return to Cincinnati is far from a lock. Regardless of what uniform he’s wearing in 2023, he’s among the fantasy running backs set to bust. Let’s start with what the former Oklahoma Sooner is as a player–a plodding rusher who barely manages more than four yards per attempt.
Some will point to his upside as a pass catcher but that seems more scheme related than anything else. Mixon had 60 catches last season but Samaje Perine also had 38. Joe Burrow was just heavily targeting running backs.
Believe it or not, Mixon is entering his seventh season. He has entered the danger zone where running backs fall off a cliff in terms of production.
Jamaal Williams
Look, Jamaal Williams was a nice story in 2022. But nothing suggests his touchdown-dependent finish as RB13 in half-point PPR is sustainable. If anything, it mirrors LeGarrette Blount’s 2016 campaign with the New England Patriots when he rushed for 18 scores out of the blue. This isn’t to say the Detroit Lions back won’t get touches, but expect his totals to be more in line with career norms.
Alvin Kamara
Over the past two seasons, Alvin Kamara’s rush attempts have gone up and his receptions have gone down. The results were okay in 2021 but last year saw Kamara fall from the ranks of the elite to merely solid RB2 status. There is also that ugly legal situation he’s involved in. Assuming he’s not suspended by the NFL, there is no reason to believe the New Orleans Saints rusher reverts to his pre-2022 form given an uncertain quarterback situation and age. If anything, his output will decline once again this season.
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