Remember when the Buffalo Bills had so many running backs there was no way any of their depth guys would have fantasy value? And when the Ravens had so many different potential ballcarriers there was no point drafting any of them? It wasn't so long ago.
But Karlos Williams is overweight and suspended, so much that one beat writer claims he isn't even a lock for the 53-man roster. And rookie Jonathan Williams also has an off-field concern. Suddenly, Mike Gillislee looks like the clear favorite for the No. 2 job in the most run-heavy offense in the league.
And in Baltimore, rookie Kenneth Dixon sprained his MCL yesterday. There have been varying reports on how serious it is, but a sprained knee is usually a 2-week injury at a minimum. Lorenzo Taliaferro has a foot injury that "hasn't responded as well as hoped" according to the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. Trent Richardson is also on the PUP list following knee surgery; no indication he'll be healthy anytime soon.
If you're scoring at home, that leaves the Ravens with essentially Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen and Terrance West as ballcarriers when the exhibitions roll around. Not quite that crowded a backfield all of a sudden.
It's early of course, and players like Dixon and Taliaferro might be fine in a couple of weeks. Jonathan Williams' legal issue might not affect his availability until 2017. Plus guys who are healthy now will get hurt.
But the point is that when you see teams seemingly overcrowded at a position, keep in mind that these things work themselves out. The Ravens might have 8 different tight ends now, but by the start of the season, a bunch of those guys will be gone -- hurt, given up on, shunted off the field.
The same story will play out across the league, on every team that seems to have too many players at a position. Come September, each team will probably have 3 viable ballcarriers, tops. So cast your lot with the one you like most (West? Allen?) and just wait. Extra players muddying the water might just help you get the one you like most that much cheaper.