One month in there are still backfields that are in flux when it comes to carries. From first-round picks to waiver wire heroes, there are a lot of teams that are still finding their footing (so to speak). Below are a handful of those teams still figuring it out. 

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Arizona Cardinals

In what is shaping up to be one of the bigger busts of the 2020 season, Kenyan Drake continued his pedestrian fantasy stats against the Panthers in Week Four. Yes, he led the team with 13 carries but managed just 35 yards while quarterback Kyler Murray was Arizona’s actual leading rusher with 78 yards. In fact, Murray is the Cardinal’s leading rusher through the first four games of the season, out gaining Drake 265-254 on the ground. 

But more concerning for Drake is the continued presence of Chase Edmonds in the offense. While Drake’s snap count has gone from 58 to 50 to 44 to 37 over the first month of the season, Edmond’s has been much steadier, and is seeing a bigger share of the workload as the season rolls on. Edmonds has now seen 28 then 27 then 21 and 21 the last two games. And despite running with about the same efficiency – Drake’s averaged 3.8 yards-per-carry to Edmonds 3.7 – but Drake’s had much more opportunity. Edmonds has also been the clear passing-down option, seeing 17 targets to five. If Edmonds is still on your waiver wire, now is the time to pick him up.

Week Five: Cardinals at Jets 

Chicago Bears

While the fantasy stats don’t look appealing, the fact that David Montgomery is the de facto workhorse back in Chicago is great news. It took a season-ending injury to Tarik Cohen for it to happen but it looks like it will if Week Four is any indication. Not only did Montgomery see the most carries – it was only 10 as the Bears fell behind early – but he also managed to see a season-high six targets, catching three of them for 30 yards. The six targets weren’t just the third-most on the team but double what Montgomery has seen in any other game this season and a new career-high. 

Montgomery owners will have to concede a few rushes to Cordarrelle Patterson but if they don’t sign a running back anytime soon, Montgomery could be on his way to obliterating the 35 targets he had all of last season.

Week Five: Bears vs. Buccaneers 

Cincinnati Bengals

It only took four games but we finally saw the Joe Mixon drafted in the first round of re-drafts this season. He set season highs in rushing yards (151), receptions (6), receiving yards (30) and scored his first three touchdowns of the season. Perhaps it wasn’t a surprise that Mixon saw his biggest share of snaps all season, seeing a season-high 62 while backup Gio Bernard saw a season-low 13. Furthermore, Bernard didn’t see any targets in the win and just two carries. 

But back to Mixon, this was the culmination of a trend that saw him see just 40 snaps in Week One and ended with the 62 in Week Four. It will be tough for him to repeat next week as he travels to Baltimore to run into a stout Ravens defense but once that game is over, it could be smooth sailing after that. 

Week Five: Bengals at Ravens

Green Bay Packers

Losing snaps to backup Jamaal Williams in a blowout at home to the Falcons isn’t what you want to see if you’re an Aaron Jones owner. But at the same time, these numbers are not all that far off from what the Packers backfield has looked like all season and Jones is still producing. This is the third game out of four that Williams has seen 30-plus snaps yet Jones is still a top-five fantasy running back. That trend should continue as Jones is clearly the most effective runner between the two, averaging a career-high 5.8 yards-per-carry this season. 

And while Jamaal Williams will never be confused for Aaron Jones as a runner, he’s proved to be a viable option in the passing game, turning all 13 of his targets into receptions for 119 yards. That plus the couple dozen carries he’s seen has translated into a RB3/4 season so far. 

Lastly, Tyler Ervin isn’t going away either. This is the third game he’s seen 20-plus snaps and should be owned in deep leagues as an immediate handcuff to either Packer running back. 

Week Five: Bye 

Los Angeles Chargers

In what might be a preview of the next four-to-six weeks, it appears Joshua Kelley is the lead back (for now) in the wake of the injury to Austin Ekeler. Not only did he lead the backfield in snaps but he had the most carries (nine) and targets (three). He wasn’t particularly effective with his touches but he was also facing a tough defense in the Bucs who currently rank second in defensive DVOA. The schedule should be easier starting next week. 

And while Kelley might get the start, Justin Jackson is still a must-add on the waiver wire. He looks to fill the Joshua Kelley role as Joshua Kelley fills the Austin Ekeler role. Got all that? 

Week Five: Chargers at Saints 

New England Patriots

Another week and another combination of Patriots running backs splitting carries. The return of James White also saw the return of him seeing the most snaps in the Patriots backfield, seeing three carries and finishing second on the team in targets with eight. Rex Burkhead continued his ‘run’ of significance but Week Four also saw the season-debut of Damien Harris. He ended up leading the team in carries with 17, averaging nearly six yards-per-carry for 100 yards. He was filling in for the injured Sony Michel who is out until Week Eight which should pave the way for Harris to continue leading the team in rushing. 

Week Five: Patriots vs. Broncos 

San Francisco 49ers

Typically known for its running back depth and penchant for sharing the ball, the 49ers had one of the most lopsided snap shares in Week Four, trotting out Jerick McKinnon as a true workhorse back. Granted, the team was without its top two running backs – Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman – but even last week, fourth-stringer Jeff Wilson saw 30% of the snaps compared to McKinnon’s 62%. So for McKinnon to jump up to 92% of them was a surprise but a welcome one after two seasons lost to injury. He led the team in carries (obviously) with 14 but was also second on the team in targets with eight. The good times should continue for McKinnon owners as Raheem Mostert is currently not on track to play in Week Five and Tevin Coleman was placed on injured reserve which takes him out to Week Seven. 

Week Five: 49ers vs. Dolphins 

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Michael Moore is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @DLF_Moore.