Late-season chaos often brings unexpected opportunity, and fantasy football managers know that. With injuries piling up and depth charts shifting, several lesser-known running backs are stepping into meaningful roles. Some are holding down the fort for injured starters, while others are carving out value in crowded backfields. As fantasy playoffs heat up, these emerging options could quietly swing a matchup when it matters most.
Audric Estimé, RB, New Orleans Saints
Rostered: 11%
As it turns out, the Week 16 Taysom Hill usage was, in fact, because it was his last home game. The Saints ran a much more normal offense in Week 17, and Audric Estimé benefited.
Serving as the lead back, Estimé carried the ball 13 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. With the Saints in evaluation mode, there’s no reason not to expect more of the same from this backfield next week.
Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers
Rostered: 0%
You probably don’t want any players on a team not trying to win. But if you need a warm body, Chris Brooks is likely in line to get the start in Week 18 with the Packers resting key players.
I would imagine Emanuel Wilson would be included amongst the guys who get the day off. That puts Brooks in line for a volume role, which is worth…something.
Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Rostered: 2%
Javonte Williams has been dealing with a neck/shoulder injury for a couple of weeks now. It knocked him out of the Cowboys’ Christmas Day game in the first half.
After Williams left, Malik Davis took over the lead back and role and carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards.
There’s no reason to push Williams to play at less than 100% in Week 18. If he can’t go, Davis will see to it that he can handle all the work.
Conclusion
Week 18 is notoriously unpredictable for fantasy managers. Teams often rest starters or shift into evaluation mode for the future. This unique environment gives opportunities to players like Estimé, who shone once the offense normalized without Hill.
Similarly, uncertainty surrounding Williams could result in another heavy workload for Davis in Dallas. Even deep sleepers like Brooks become viable if Green Bay rests Wilson. Success in the final week requires closely monitoring these lineup changes. Securing one of these volume-based running backs might be the difference in bringing home a title.
