Dontrell Hilliard is the latest in a string of names that I didn’t think I would be writing about this year, but here we are. With Derrick Henry done for at least the rest of the fantasy football season and the Titans having cut Adrian Peterson, Hilliard has been a large factor in the Titans’ offense. Hilliard and D’Onta Foreman are both seeing work in the backfield, so which one should fantasy managers prefer for the rest of the season?
D’Onta Foreman is a power back
Foreman, a University of Texas product, is a big bruising running back. At 6’1” and 236 pounds, he packs a similar punch to Henry (no, I’m not saying he’s as good as Henry). Against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Foreman had the best game of his professional career, carrying the ball 19 times for 109 yards.
Since joining the Titans at the beginning of the 2020 season, Foreman has averaged 4.5 yards per carry. He doesn’t factor into the passing game, having logged only 1 reception per game over Tennessee’s last two contests. If the Titans want to run their power offense (especially with the numerous injuries to their wide receivers), Foreman will continue to be a big part of the game plan going forward.
Dontrell Hilliard is a speed complement
Hilliard was another huge part of the Titans’ offense, rattling off 12 carries for 131 yards and a TD. Yes, the math checks out: Tennessee ran for 270 yards against the Patriots’ defense and still lost the game 36-13. That’s just weird.
If Foreman is a thundering power back, Hilliard is more of a speed complement. He isn’t a burner, but Hilliard is a 4.44-40-yard-dash type of running back with 5’11”, 202-pound size.
Both of these running backs are capable runners in Tennessee’s offensive scheme. Each RB proved to be able to rip off big plays. Part of Hilliard’s 131 rushing yards came on the back of a 68-yard house call on a draw play on a third-and-3.
This rushing attack suddenly looks formidable again. Hilliard can separate himself in the passing game, considering he saw 10 targets two weeks ago (although he only had 2 on Sunday).
Fantasy outlook for Foreman and Hilliard
Both Foreman and Hilliard deserve to be rostered, especially with the battlefield full of running back injuries across the league right now. Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook… the list goes on and on. If I were to choose one of Tennessee’s running backs, I’d pick Hilliard based on his receiving upside.
Both backs look as though they will be utilized with healthy workloads. Furthermore, both should be considered for RB2/flex duties in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After that, the Titans have the Steelers, 49ers, and a juicy matchup with the Miami Dolphins during fantasy championship week.
Foreman and Hilliard both look like late-season saviors just in time for the fantasy playoffs. Make sure they aren’t available in your leagues.