2018 Fantasy Projection: RB Jordan Howard

What can Fantasy Football owners expect from Jordan Howard in 2018?

Jordan Howard is going to be an interesting draft selection for fantasy football owners in 2018. Howard has started off his career with two very solid seasons, averaging over 1200 yards rushing each season and averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Fantasy owners will also never complain that Howard also scored 16 touchdowns over those two seasons.

The Bears offense should be significantly better in 2018 which in theory would mean better statistics for Howard, but with Matt Nagy’s offense expected to rely far more on the passing game, Howard is expected to have a role reduction with the team.

It’s not just that Howard won’t be running the football as much, but the Bears will also expect the running back to be utilized in the passing game more. Howard has struggled in that regard. Last season he caught 23 balls, but for a paltry 5.4 yards per catch.

Next: 2018 Fantasy Projection: Mitch Trubisky

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If Howard’s ability to catch passes and pile up some YAC doesn’t improve, he’s going to find himself on the bench while Tarik Cohen (and even Benny Cunningham) sees more time on the field. Fantasy owners shouldn’t completely panic if they have Howard. He’s still going to be considered the workhorse running back and he will absolutely be used on the goal line for vulture TDs, but Howard carried the football 276 times last season, and that number will almost certainly decrease.

If Howard makes massive strides as a cog in the passing game this July and August that will help his fantasy value significantly this season, but it’s hard to imagine that it will improve much. Especially when someone like Cohen is also on the team who, no matter how much Howard improves, won’t be as useful in that regard as Cohen.

Next: 2018 Tarik Cohen Fantasy Projections

Howard could even see an increase in touchdowns with the team’s offense improved, but it’s hard to imagine him surpassing much more than 1000 yards this season. Howard should be considered a low-level RB1 and a fantastic RB2 in 10, 12 or 14 team leagues.

Jordan Howard Stat Projections: 220 carries, 1000 yards rushing, 4.5 avg, 24 catches, 200 yards receiving, 8.3 avg, 10 total TDs