How is a lead back different from a committee back?
A lead back gets the large majority of his team's rushing work, while a committee back shares carries with one or more teammates, which limits his fantasy output.
Lead Back
A lead back is the running back who gets the largest share of his team's carries and handles the main rushing role.
In fantasy football, a lead back is the top running back on an NFL depth chart. He gets most of the carries, usually handles goal-line work, and often catches passes on third down. Teams with a true lead back are great for fantasy managers, because one player collects most of the backfield production instead of splitting it among several runners.
Many teams instead use a committee, where two or three backs split the work by situation. That split hurts fantasy value, since no single player gets enough volume to post big numbers. When a coach names a lead back or a runner seizes the job with strong play, his fantasy stock usually rises quickly.
Lead-back roles can change during the season because of injuries, trades, or coaching decisions. Fantasy managers watch training camp battles, snap counts, and week-to-week usage to figure out who the true lead back is on each team.
Common questions
Why do fantasy managers want lead backs?
Lead backs get the most touches, including goal-line carries, so they score more fantasy points than backs who split work.
Related terms
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