Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 Big-name running backs to avoid at all costs

3. Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears

Current ADP: 32.2

2017 Average Points Per Game: 12.5

Through the first two years of his NFL career, Jordan Howard has been a reliable, productive part of the Chicago Bears offense. Although he took a sizable step backwards as a sophomore, he’s still got 2,858 total yards and 16 total touchdowns to show for his efforts.

Unfortunately, the NFL is an evolving game that now requires running backs to make plays in the passing game. While Howard is serviceable out of the backfield, the Bears have another option who strikes fear in opposing defenses with his ability to catch passes. Yes, I’m talking about Tarik Cohen, who new head coach Matt Nagy plans to “have some fun with” in 2018.

That’s great for Cohen’s outlook, and terrible for Howard’s. We already saw the young scat-back take a significant bite out of the incumbent’s workload a season ago. Now with Nagy (who loves to utilize unique weapons like Cohen) at the helm, we could see an even more balanced approach among Chicago running backs.

And when Cohen begins to produce more highlight-reel plays this season, Howard will officially no longer be the Bears’ workhorse back. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if, by season’s end, the sophomore was a bigger part of Nagy’s gameplan than the current starter.

Howard will still be utilized, especially since Cohen isn’t really built to run inside. However, if you’re hoping he’ll put up RB1-type production, it’s time to wake up from that dream.