The Green Bay Packers running back situation went from fairly solid if underwhelming with Eddie Lacy with a reliable backup in James Starks), to a full-on disaster post-apocalyptic RBBC nightmare in the span of just a few weeks. It is a situation that is going to give fantasy football owners fits until James Starks makes his way back from his injury. This week this running back by committee (that even features WRs!) is making its way to Atlanta, and even with the dire running back situation this week, Knile Davis isn’t a player you’re going to want anywhere near your starting lineup.[embedit snippet=”jeff-ads”]
The Packers obtained Davis in a panic move after injuries to Lacy and Starks sidelined them for extended periods, and his lack of knowledge of the Packers’ system was shown last week as he played only five snaps. While he should get at least five times as many this week against the Falcons, it’s unlikely that he does much of value with them.
The real issue here is the fragmentation of the Packers’ backfield. Not only does Davis get snaps in the backfield, but Don Jackson and wide receiver Ty Montgomery get carries, as well. And lest we forget, the Ty Montgomery WR-as-RB package was put together in Green Bay for Randall Cobb. What you have is a four-way committee with the Packers choosing to “run through the air,” utilizing short passes to Cobb and Montgomery out of the backfield in lieu of actual runs through the tackles. Last week Montgomery got a bunch of this work, but Davis, as the only real running back with actual NFL experience left, will get a bunch as well.
The problem is that given the opponent and the fact that it will likely be a shootout, the Packers will likely be continually putting the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands, rather than Knile Davis’ gut. They’re going to have to throw, throw, throw to keep up with the dynamic Falcons offense that is taking on a continually rolling list of injured Packers and their backups.
Knile Davis is probably the player to get the most carries in the Packers’ backfield, but his role is limited, and getting the most carries in a four-way committee isn’t much to write home about. If you went out and scooped up Davis, this is a week to sit him. It’s possible that we gain clarity on the situation, and he’s a start next week, but unless you’re exceptionally desperate, he isn’t a player you want in your lineup this weekend.