Fantasy Football: The 5 Most Efficient Pass-Catching Running Backs in 2018

Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders

Target Success Rate - 56.79%
Target NEP Per Target: 0.29

The case could be made that, aside from Jared Cook, the best player among the Oakland Raiders' skill players last season was Jalen Richard. He saw precious few carries, finishing 66th among all backs with 55, but as a pass catcher, he was a rare beam of light for Derek Carr last season. Richard saw 81 targets, the seventh-most at the running back spot, and also had the seventh-most catches with 68. Only five backs had more receiving yards than his 607, too.

On a per-play basis, Richard was up there with the best. He had the fourth-best Target Success Rate and tied for eight in the sample in Target NEP per target. He was aided by an abundance of opportunities, given the negative game script the Raiders frequently found themselves in last season. As a result, 49.91% of his targets came on first down, the ninth-most among qualifying backs. However, he did very little good on early-down opportunities. Only 242 of his yards came on first down receptions, or 39.87%. This was the 25th-highest rate in the group.

As a restricted free agent, there is every chance that Richard will return to the Raiders next year. Depending on what they choose to do at running back, Richard could still be in line for the bulk of the backfield targets, or he could be relegated to an afterthought. Either way, he showed in 2018 that he is worth his place as a pass catcher to trust.