Constructing a fantasy football roster is an art. It takes practice, skill, and luck — but most of all, it takes balance. High-upside players can help you win your league, but a roster full of them is destined for mediocrity. A few strategic high-floor picks are key to mix into your draft plan. They provide stability despite the volatility of weekly head-to-head fantasy football.
Earlier this week, I wrote about four high-floor wide recivers available at various points in your draft that will help stabilize your roster. Now it’s time to look at running backs. I’ve identified two classes of high-floor tailbacks: first, lead backs without competition for early-down work; second, passing-down specialists who are established receiving options on their team. Both are recipes to steady fantasy production, although they may not have the highest ceilings. You can mix in one or more of these players to build your weekly scoring floor in 2021.
2021 Draft Kit: View printable cheat sheets, sleepers & mistakes to avoid 
Early Down Locks
James Robinson (RB – JAC)
Two weeks ago, Robinson wasn’t the first Jacksonville running back off the board, let alone a safe pick. But with the injury to Travis Etienne, Robinson is certain to return to his early-down dominance in Urban Meyer’s new offense. Last season, Robinson earned 221 carries on first and second downs, and he racked up 1,026 rushing yards on those plays. That gives him a healthy 4.6 yards per carry, which Meyer and company will hope to exploit in 2021.
Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
When Josh Jacobs is on the field, the football usually ends up in his hands. Jacobs played 301 snaps for the Raiders in 2020, and he earned a carry on 91% of those snaps! Of his 271 rushes, 249 (92%) came on either first or second down. Jacobs’ 3.9 YPC over those carries leaves something to be desired, but his usage delivers a fantasy floor you can count on.
Checkdown Charlies
In PPR leagues (half or full), running backs can have a high floor through steady receiving volume out of the backfield. These backs don’t need to garner 10 carries per game because their pass-catching numbers are enough to warrant flex consideration in most leagues.
Kareem Hunt (RB – CLE)
I can’t deny that Nick Chubb will remain Cleveland’s lead back. However, Hunt’s place on the depth chart isn’t a death sentence in fantasy football because of his receiving prowess. Hunt provides Baker Mayfield with an escape valve, especially in the middle of the field. The No. 2 back saw 28 targets between the numbers and within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage in 2020, and he hauled in 23 of those passes for 176 yards. But Hunt isn’t just lethal in the middle of the field. He drew 22 more targets when coming out of the backfield outside the numbers, and he caught 16 of them. He even took five of those receptions across the chalk for a touchdown! Hunt excels at what he does on the field, which makes him a high-floor asset in fantasy.
Nyheim Hines (RB – IND)
Volume is king in fantasy, and Nyheim Hines is a target hog in this Colts offense. He collected 73 targets within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage in 2020, and he amassed all 63 of his receptions within that proximity to the line. It’s no secret that Jonathan Taylor is the preferred early-down back in Indy, but Hines is an integral part of Frank Reich’s offense, too.
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Aaron Pags is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyTriage.
