Coaching Time: 2021 Best And Worst Play-Callers For Each Skill-Position

Eli Grabanski looks at every offensive-minded head coach and offensive coordinator, and explains which ones could have a significant impact on fantasy value.

Eli Grabanski
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Best Coaches for Running Backs (Run Game)

 

Rank RB Room Carries RB Room Rushing Yards RB Room Rushing TDs Lead Back Carries (Season Leader)
1 (Best) Kevin Stefanski – CLE HC Arthur Smith – ATL HC Kevin Stefanski – CLE HC Arthur Smith – ATL HC
2 Arthur Smith – ATL HC Kevin Stefanski – CLE HC Arthur Smith – ATL HC Kellen Moore – DAL OC
3 George Godsey – MIA Co-OC Alex Van Pelt – CLE OC Scott Turner – WSH OC Matt Nagy – CHI HC
4 Alex Van Pelt – CLE OC Nick Sirianni – PHI HC Matt LaFleur – GB HC Pat Shurmur – DEN OC
5 Nathaniel Hackett – GB OC Greg Roman – BAL OC Sean Payton – NOR HC Jon Gruden – LV HC

 

Most RB Room Carries Per Game

 

 

Most RB Room Rushing Yards Per Game

 

 

Most RB Room Rushing Touchdowns Per Game

 

 

Most Lead Back Carries (Using Season Carry Leaders)

 

Takeaways

 

  • Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is the king of feeding his running backs on the ground, with his running back room ranking #1 in rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns per game, and #2 in rushing yards per game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are in a really good spot and should see a lot of utilization.
  • Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith ranks in the top two in RB room carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and carries going to the lead back…it is important to note that he’s had Derrick Henry his entire play-calling career up until this year (his lead back in Atlanta is projected to be Mike Davis).

 

  • Miami Dolphins co-offensive coordinator George Godsey was a part of an offense that fed its running backs on the ground in Houston back in 2015 and 2016. While we aren’t 100% certain if Godsey or Eric Studesville will be the one calling the plays this season (likely Godsey), this is something that you like to see if you plan on rostering Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, Malcolm Brown, or Gerrid Doaks.
  • In addition to Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt also lands on the list for the best coaches for carries and rushing yards…good to know in case Van Pelt ever needs to take over play-calling.

 

  • While Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is not the primary play-caller of the team, it is positive to see him rank in the top five for running back carries per game and his influence on the offense should have a positive impact on Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon‘s value.
  • New Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni ranks fourth in running back rushing yards per game. He wasn’t the primary play-caller during his career as the Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator, but still provides a more optimistic outlook on the fantasy value of Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell.

 

  • Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman rounds out the top 5 in running back rushing yards per game…this is good for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in standard formats.
  • Washington Football Team offensive coordinator Scott Turner has seen his running backs score a lot of touchdowns on the ground…is it Antonio Gibson szn in 2021?

 

  • Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur ranks fourth in RB rushing touchdowns per game…you’re going to want to roster the Packers’ primary goal-line back.
  • New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton snags the last spot in the top 5 of RB rushing touchdowns per game…Alvin Kamara should once again have a strong fantasy year in this system.

 

  • Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has leaned towards the bell-cow approach with Ezekiel Elliott in his career…expect that to continue in 2021.
  • Matt Nagy (Chicago Bears head coach) can be frustrating in a lot of ways for fantasy players, but at least with his lead back he’s given them a healthy workload each year…expect David Montgomery to once again dominate the % carries on the ground for the Bears.

 

  • Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has historically been a coach that feeds his lead back. Because of this, you are going to want to closely watch the running back battle between Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III since one of them will likely outperform their current ADP (my bet is on Javonte Williams).
  • Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden will do a good job of feeding his lead back Josh Jacobs on the ground, and Kenyan Drake should be a very solid handcuff (who may have a little standalone value as a pass-catcher for the team).

Worst Coaches for Running Backs (Run Game)

 

Rank RB Room Carries RB Room Rushing Yards RB Room Rushing TDs Lead Back Carries (Season Leader)
1 (Worst) Matt Rhule – CAR HC

Joe Brady – CAR OC

 Matt Rhule – CAR HC

Joe Brady – CAR OC

 George Godsey – MIA Co-OC Eric Studesville – MIA Co-OC
2 Tim Kelly – HOU OC Joe Lombardi – LAC OC Brian Callahan – CIN OC Shane Steichen – PHI OC
3 Eric Bieniemy – KC OC Eric Studesville – MIA Co-OC Brian Daboll – BUF OC Eric Bieniemy – KC OC
4 Kliff Kingsbury –  AZ HC Tim Kelly – HOU OC Tim Kelly – HOU OC Matt Rhule – CAR HC

Joe Brady – CAR OC
5 Bill Lazor – CHI OC Matt Nagy – CHI HC Joe Lombardi – LAC OC Pete Carmichael – NOR OC

 

Least RB Room Carries Per Game

 

 

Least RB Room Rushing Yards Per Game

 

 

Least RB Room Rushing Touchdowns Per Game

 

 

Least Lead Back Carries (Using Season Carry Leaders)

 

Takeaways

 

  • It’s just one season, but the Carolina Panthers coaching duo of Matt Rhule and Joe Brady didn’t utilize their running back room very much last year causing them to rank last in both running back carries and running back rushing yards per game. Star RB Christian McCaffrey playing in only three games definitely played a factor, but this does make you wonder if McCaffrey’s ceiling is as high with them coaching as it was with Norv & Scott Turner.
  • Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly ranks in the bottom five in RB carries, RB rushing yards, and RB rushing touchdowns per game…the Texans backfield is looking like an ugly one to invest in.

 

  • While Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is not the team’s primary play-caller (that would be Andy Reid), he has been the Chiefs offensive coordinator for the last three years and ranks in the bottom five among offensive-minded coaches. If you draft Clyde Edwards-Helaire you are doing so more because you think he’ll catch a bunch of passes and see goal-line work for the Chiefs, not because you think he’ll get a ridiculous amount of carries.
  • Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury lands in the bottom five for RB carries per game. In 2019 the team was well below average in this area but in 2020 they were more middle of the pack…still this is a bit concerning to see if you plan on rostering James Conner or Chase Edmonds.

 

  • Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Bill Lazor ranks in the bottom five in RB carries per game while Chicago Bears head coach ranks in the bottom five in RB rushing yards per game…it’s a good thing David Montgomery sees a heavy majority of the rushing work and doesn’t split carries too often.
  • New Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi didn’t do a very good job with the running game during his time in Detroit (ranks in the bottom five of RB rushing yards and rushing touchdowns) and it was part of the reason he got fired…the good news is that the team’s RB1 Austin Ekeler is more useful in the passing game anyways.

 

  • Miami co-offensive coordinator Eric Studesville lands in the bottom 5 in both RB rushing yards and lead back carries…might want to give him a mulligan since his data is based on just 4 games as the Denver Broncos interim head coach back in 2010.
  • The other Miami Dolphins co-offensive coordinator George Godsey lands at the bottom in RB rushing touchdowns per game…this probably impacts Malcolm Brown the most since he’s the best fit to be the team’s goal-line back.

 

  • Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan lands in the bottom 5 of RB room rushing touchdowns per game…while he hasn’t been the team’s primary offensive play-caller yet, it shows how much the Bengals have struggled to get their running backs scoring opportunities the last two years.
  • Brian Daboll‘s offense (Bills offensive coordinator) hasn’t led to very many running back rushing touchdowns…this may lower the upside of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary.

 

  • Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen ran with a bit of a committee approach on the ground at running back with the Chargers…while Nick Sirianni is expected to be Philadelphia’s primary offensive play-caller this may be a situation to watch.
  • Pete Carmichael (New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator) may not be the Saints primary play-caller, but it is important to note they’ve taken a committee approach on the ground over the course of his career…however, this shouldn’t cause too much worry for fantasy players rostering Alvin Kamara because he is also one of the team’s top options in the passing game.

 

Best Coaches for Running Backs (Pass Game)

 

Rank RB Room Receptions RB Room Targets RB Room Receiving Yards RB Room Receiving TDs
% of Pass Attempts to RB
1 (Best) Shane Steichen – PHI OC Scott Turner – WSH OC Shane Steichen – PHI OC Eric Bieniemy – KC OC
Scott Turner – WSH OC
2 Scott Turner – WSH OC Joe Lombardi – LAC OC Scott Turner – WSH OC Joe Lombardi – LAC OC
Shane Steichen – PHI OC
3 Pete Carmichael – NOR OC Shane Steichen – PHI OC Joe Lombardi – LAC OC Anthony Lynn – DET OC
Joe Lombardi – LAC OC
4 Joe Lombardi – LAC OC Pete Carmichael – NOR OC Pete Carmichael – NOR OC Pete Carmichael – NOR OC
Kliff Kingsbury – AZ HC
Pete Carmichael – NOR OC
5 Sean Payton – NOR HC Sean Payton – NOR HC Anthony Lynn – DET OC (See above)
Sean Payton – NOR HC

 

Highest RB Room Receptions

 

 

Highest RB Room Targets

 

 

Highest RB Room Receiving Yards

 

 

Highest RB Room Receiving Touchdowns

 

 

Highest % of Targets to RB

 

Takeaways

 

  • New Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen ranks #1 in RB receptions, #2 in RB targets, #3 in RB receiving yards, and #2 in % of passing attempts to the RB position…while he’s not the primary play-caller you should be keeping a close eye on any news/updates on who the Eagles primary pass-catching back (Kenneth Gainwell or Miles Sanders) is since there’s potential value to be had there.
  • Washington Football Team offensive coordinator Scott Turner LOVES feeding his running backs through the air as he ranks #2 in RB receptions, #1 in RB targets, #2 in RB receiving yards, and #1 in % of passing attempts to the RB position…Antonio Gibson‘s value could skyrocket this year if he can take more of the passing work from J.D. McKissic.

 

  • New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael ranks in the top 5 across the board. In addition, the New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton ranks in the top 5 in RB receptions, targets, and % of passing attempts to the RB position…this is the big reason Alvin Kamara is going off the board as a top 5 pick.
  • Austin Ekeler‘s receiving workload looks pretty good with the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi ranking in the top four across the board. In this system, he’s looking like a very strong pick in PPR.

 

  • Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn ranks in the top 5 in both RB receiving yards and receiving touchdowns per game…his play-calling should be good for D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
  • Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ranks #1 in RB receiving touchdowns per game. While he’s not the primary play-caller, this is a good sign for Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the passing game.
  • Chase Edmonds and James Conner should have a decent amount of opportunities for receiving touchdowns in Kliff Kingsbury‘s offense.

 

Worst Coaches for Running Backs (Pass Game)

 

Rank RB Room Receptions RB Room Targets RB Room Receiving Yards RB Room Receiving TDs
% of Pass Attempts to RB
1 (Worst) Greg Roman – BAL OC Greg Roman – BAL OC
Arthur Smith – ATL HC
 Jon Gruden – LV HC
Arthur Smith – ATL HC
2 Arthur Smith – ATL HC Arthur Smith – ATL HC
Greg Roman – BAL OC
 Greg Olson – LV OC
Greg Roman – BAL OC
3 Tim Kelly – HOU OC Brian Daboll – BUF OC
Brian Daboll – BUF OC
 Jason Garrett – NYG OC
Sean McVay – LAR HC
4 Brian Daboll – BUF OC Tim Kelly – HOU OC
Mike McCarthy – DAL HC
 Kevin O’Connell – LAR OC
Tim Kelly – HOU OC
5 Kevin O’Connell – LAR OC Kevin Stefanski – CLE HC
Alex Van Pelt – CLE OC
 Brian Daboll – BUF OC
Mike McCarthy – DAL HC

 

Lowest RB Room Receptions

 

 

Lowest RB Room Targets

 

 

Lowest RB Room Receiving Yards

 

 

Lowest RB Room Receiving Touchdowns

 

 

Lowest % of Targets to RB

 

Takeaways

 

  • Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman is a bottom two coach in RB receptions, RB targets, RB receiving yards, and % of pass attempts to RB. Don’t expect much receiving work for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
  • New Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith also ranks in the bottom two of RB receptions, RB targets, RB receiving yards, and % of pass attempts to RB…it is worth noting though that his primary back was Derrick Henry in the two years that he was the Titans offensive coordinator so this may have been more scheming to the strengths of the offense rather than a philosophy/tendency he’d like to carry over with Mike Davis and company.

 

  • Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly makes appearances in the bottom five for RB receptions, RB targets, and % of passing attempts to RB…the Texans running backs don’t really look to have much upside from a fantasy perspective this year.
  • Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll makes a bottom five appearance in RB receptions, RB targets, RB receiving yards, and RB receiving touchdowns. The Bills have a great offense, but Daboll’s tendencies with his RBs make Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have lower upside than many backs going in their draft range.

 

  • Kevin O’Connell (Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator) ranks in the bottom five of RB receptions and RB receiving touchdowns. He’s not the primary offensive play-caller with the Rams…but considering head coach Sean McVay ranks in the bottom three in % of passing attempts to RB, it makes sense to downgrade Darrell Henderson and the rest of the Rams backs in PPR formats.
  • Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt make some appearances on this list, with Stefanski ranking in the bottom five of RB targets and Van Pelt ranking in the bottom five of RB receiving yards. This is more concerning for Kareem Hunt rather than Nick Chubb since Hunt is the primary receiving back.

 

  • Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys head coach) ranks in the bottom five in RB receiving yards and % of passing attempts to RB…if he ever takes offensive play-calling duties away from Kellen Moore and takes them on himself Ezekiel Elliott‘s value will take a bit of a hit.
  • Both Las Vegas Raiders coaches (Jon Gruden & Greg Olson) are at the bottom of the RB receiving touchdowns list. This likely impacts Kenyan Drake the most, but may also have some effect on Josh Jacobs as well.
  • New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett ranks in the bottom three of RB receiving touchdowns per game. Saquon Barkley will just have to settle for getting most of his touchdowns on the ground.

 

Photo by Kevin Reece/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)

Series Navigation
Introduction
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends

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