The main wave of free agency has passed, and the NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror. Now, it’s time to re-evaluate players with the changing teams and influx of talent in mind. Unfortunately, not every player’s outlook has remained the same or improved. As a result, the following trio of backs should be avoided anywhere near their current expert consensus ranking (ECR) in point-per-reception (PPR) formats.

Running Backs To Avoid

Cam Akers (RB – LAR): 34 ECR, RB16

It’s impossible to overstate how remarkable Akers’ return from a torn Achilles was in the same season. It was legitimately unprecedented. Sadly, while he looked explosive, he was highly inefficient.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), 61 running backs had at least 70 carries (including the postseason), and Akers ranked 57th in Yards After Contact Per Attempt (2.31 YCO/A), tied for 57th in missed tackles forced (10), tied for 60th in 10-plus-yard runs (two), and dead last in PFF’s run grade and yards per attempt (2.4). Of course, he should be better, further removed from the injury, but he was dreadful last year.

However, being more efficient is only one hurdle Akers needs to clear. He also needs to carve out a role in the passing game, and there are reasons for skepticism. First, in the Super Bowl, Darrell Henderson outplayed him in the passing game. Akers played 24 passing snaps, running 19 routes. Yet, Henderson was significantly more productive on his 18 passing snaps and 15 routes, reeling in three of five targets for 43 yards versus three catches for 14 yards on four targets for Akers. Additionally, the Rams used their third selection (pick 164 overall) on pass-catching back Kyren Williams.

As a result, Akers’ road is muddied to a bell-cow role. Therefore, the price is too steep for Akers after an inefficient return from injury last year.

Antonio Gibson (RB – WAS): 38 ECR, RB18

Last year, there was palpable hype for Gibson being Washington’s version of Christian McCaffrey. Instead, according to Pro-Football-Reference, Gibson merely duplicated his 2.6 receptions per game tallied as a rookie in his sophomore campaign. It’s unlikely he will leap in production as a receiver after the Commanders re-signed receiving specialist J.D. McKissic.

The veteran receiving back clearly worked ahead of Gibson on third downs. Gibson had only three receptions for 20 yards on four targets on third and fourth down in 2022. Conversely, McKissic had 16 receptions for 162 yards on 17 targets.

The lack of passing-down work is detrimental to Gibson’s value. Unfortunately, he also faces competition for early-down work as a runner. The Commanders made Brian Robinson the sixth running back selected in this year’s draft, popping him with the 34th pick in the third round (98th overall). Robinson’s draft capital wasn’t dissimilar to Gibson’s, as the incumbent running back was the second pick in the third round (66th overall) in the 2020 draft. Further, veteran film analyst Greg Cosell was a big fan of Robinson’s tape.

Beyond threatening Gibson’s early-down work, Robinson could compete for goal-line touches since both backs have desirable size, weighing more than 220 pounds. Gibson should probably be the favorite for goal-line duties and the bulk of early-down work out of the gate, but his leash is likely shorter.

Last year, according to the Fantasy Football Leaders tool, in the fantasy football season (Week 1 through Week 17), Gibson was tied for RB19 in per-game PPR scoring. With more early-down and scoring-territory competition and new talent like Travis Etienne and Breece Hall entering the fold as potential top-20 PPR backs, it’s probably wishful thinking for Gibson to repeat last year’s finish. Yet, he’s ranked a spot ahead of where he finished at the position last year. A top-40 pick is too much to sacrifice for a player with Gibson’s limitations and floor.

Josh Jacobs (RB -LV): 44 ECR, RB20

The Raiders hired former Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their head coach. He’s regularly deployed committee backfields, and it looks like he will do the same for the Pacific timezone Patriots.

The organization declined Jacobs’ fifth-year option, restructured Kenyan Drake‘s contract, signed former Patriot Brandon Bolden to a two-year deal with $2.4 million guaranteed, and inked Ameer Abdullah to a one-year contract, albeit a small one that means he could be cut. Also, they used their second pick (122 overall) on running back Zamir White, the bruising half of a one-two punch with James Cook at Georgia. Thus, the Raiders’ backfield is a crowded mess.

Sadly, Jacobs isn’t the caliber of talent who can overcome a multi-back committee. According to Football Outsiders, out of 50 running backs with at least 100 rush attempts in 2022, Jacobs was 37th in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA). He was also a ho-hum 21st in YCO/A (2.97), and he was a below-average receiver.

According to PFF, out of 44 running backs targeted at least 35 times last year, Jacobs was tied for 24th in Yards Per Route Run (1.19 Y/RR). Making matters worse, Bolden, Drake, and Abdullah were markedly better in that metric, sporting 1.89 Y/RR, 1.71 Y/RR, and 1.50 Y/RR. As a result, there’s no reason to think Jacobs will work ahead of Bolden, Drake, or Abdullah in passing situations. So, it’s not advisable to spend a top-50 pick on a two-down banger who’s unlikely to have that role to himself.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.