RB Committee Shuffle: Takeaways to inform Week 15 lineup decisions

Each week in this space, I break down running back snap count and usage information via FantasyData.com to identify trends across some of the more fluid committee backfields. The goal is to help Fantasy owners determine changing roles and set optimal lineups. Let's find out what we learned last week that we can apply to lineup decisions in Week 15.

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Kenneth Dixon and Gus Edwards bring one-two punch

Last week against the Chiefs, Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon shared the workload. Edwards was clearly the lead back with a 43.7 percent snap rate while Dixon got 32.4 percent. Edwards rushed 16 times for 67 yards, while Dixon was more efficient on fewer carries averaging 7.2 yards per attempt (8 carries for 59 yards). After the game, coach John Harbaugh said that Dixon's role is expected to grow in the coming weeks, which would obviously eat into Edwards' volume-based value. Fortunately, if you've been rolling with Edwards as a flex option, his Week 15 matchup against Tampa Bay is a favorable one, so he's still in play. And if you're looking for a bargain play in DFS or a depth option in your Fantasy playoffs, Dixon should do enough against the Bucs to be worth starting. Tampa Bay has allowed six total touchdowns to running backs over the past four weeks and is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.

Jeffery Wilson a no-brainer if Matt Breida remains sidelined

With Matt Breida sidelined in Week 14, Jeffery Wilson stepped in as the 49ers starting back. He logged 23 carries for 90 yards and one catch for 6 yards against Denver. Wilson also absorbed 81.6 percent of his team's offensive snaps which was fifth-most among all backs for the week who played at least 20 snaps. Wilson also saw 15 carries back in Week 13 when Breida left the game early, so he's clearly next in line as the volume upside play should Breida miss Week 15. But that's the problem. Breida (ankle) returned to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday so there's a chance he returns in Week 15. If that's the case, Wilson would be irrelevant unless something happened to his teammate early in the game. Either way, Wilson should be held onto given Breida's injury issues this season. For what it's worth, the matchup against the Seahawks is a decent one because the unit has allowed five total touchdowns and about 160 scrimmage yards per game to opposing backs.

Josh Adams' Week 15 outlook isn't great

All this talk in recent weeks building up Josh Adams as the guy in Philadelphia, and then here comes veteran Darren Sproles to throw a wrench into Fantasy rosters across the universe. Seriously, in his two games back healthy, Sproles has two touchdowns on all of eight touches. How very selfish of him. He also led the Eagles' backfield in snap share with 42.3 percent last week. Meanwhile, Adams only got seven carries against Dallas. This week, the Eagles have a tough Sunday night matchup against the Rams, who will look to bounce back offensively from a tough game in Chicago. If Los Angeles can take advantage of the Eagles bottom-10 defense, it will likely mean more work for Sproles and less for Adams. Sproles could be a sneaky budget play in DFS formats in Week 15