RB Committee Shuffle: Takeaways to inform Week 16 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 16.

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Aaron Jones injury thrusts Jamaal Williams into featured role

If you started Aaron Jones in Week 15, you got a sad seven snaps out of him before he left the game with an injury. It was an unfortunate turn of events for folks vying for a championship seat in the Fantasy playoffs, and a few days later, the Packers officially placed Jones on IR ending his season. Jamaal Williams was thrust into the featured role in Week 15, playing 86.8% of Green Bay's snaps. He logged 16 touches (12 attempts, 4 receptions) for 97 total yards and scored a touchdown. It was Williams' biggest workload since Week 2. There's no doubt that Williams will be the Packers bell cow again in Week 16, so if you're in need, he makes for a solid flex start. Just keep in mind that Williams is a much less explosive runner than Jones. He'll need 20 touches to get significant yardage, but the hope is that he finds the end zone against a struggling Jets team in Week 16.

Frank Gore injured, rookie Kalen Ballage steps up 

Veteran runner Frank Gore left his Week 15 game in the second quarter with a foot injury that will reportedly keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. In his stead, rookie Kalen Ballage handled 12 carries that he converted into 123 rush yards and a touchdown. Ballage played 49.1% of Miami's snaps after Gore left the game. Meanwhile, Kenyan Drake totaled just four touches on his 52.8% of snaps. That's right, FOUR touches. It's actually hard to fathom. Anyway, it's pretty clear that the guy you want for Week 16 is Ballage and not Drake. Miami faces a Jaguars defense that has been shredded by opposing running backs the last two weeks for 311 rush yards and four rushing touchdowns, so Ballage should have plenty of opportunity to produce.

Wendell Smallwood scores twice for Eagles

Just when we thought we had this backfield figured out, Wendell Smallwood stepped in and ruined everything. At least, that's what Josh Adams' owners are feeling like. Adams still led the Eagles backfield on Sunday night against the Rams, logging 15 carries and a touchdown, but gained a mere 28 rush yards. Meanwhile, Smallwood found the end zone twice on 10 attempts and managed 48 yards on the ground. From a snap count perspective, Adams saw 37.5% (24 snaps), Smallwood got 31.2% (20 snaps), while Darren Sproles also saw 20 snaps. As soon as Adams looked like the most reliable option in this backfield, the tables turned. Adams hasn't been effective since Week 12 with single-digit Fantasy totals in his last three games. While Adams is still the guy you'd start based on volume, it's kind of a situation to avoid all around especially considering the matchup against a tough Texans run defense in Week 16.

If you're desperate, Elijah McGuire is a running back in the NFL

It hasn't been pretty, but Elijah McGuire has gotten volume and found the end zone two weeks straight for the Jets. Over the last two weeks, McGuire's collected 102 rush yards on 35 carries, which is not exactly efficient, but you get what you pay for when you roll with a Jets back. He's also seen at least four targets in each of his last two games and has posted 17.3 and 15.2 Draft Kings points; not too shabby. McGuire is the clear-cut go-to, with 74% of the Jets snaps the last two games. He'll face the Packers in Week 16, and is a low-end flex or bargain DFS play as long as he sees his 20-ish touches (no promises).