Chase Edmonds 2023 Outlook
In Edmonds’ final two years with the Arizona Cardinals (2020 and 2021), he tallied a combined 213 rushing attempts and 96 receptions. Edmonds could not maintain that pace as he bounced between the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins in 2022, but now he may have found an ideal landing spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The dual-threat running back enters the summer second on the Bucs’ depth chart behind Rachaad White. The Bucs still could sign a free agent like Ezekiel Elliott, while a reunion with Leonard Fournette seems less likely if Fournette wants to play for a contender and not a rebuilder. This offense should look far different than when Tom Brady targeted Fournette 83 times and White 58 times in the passing game, but projected starter Baker Mayfield will not be afraid to check it down to his running backs. This stands to benefit Edmonds and make him worth rostering in any leagues offering points or even half-points per reception. In a perfect world, he returns to his Arizona target numbers -- or eclipses them.
Chase Edmonds 2022 Outlook
The Dolphins and Edmonds reached agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract the first day of free agency, a deal that could be a great opportunity for the former Cardinals' change-of-pace man -- and for fantasy managers. While he's not a proven three-down back, Edmonds is talented enough to be the chairman of a committee backfield. That's how he opened last season, working ahead of James Conner in Arizona until a high ankle sprain allowed Conner to flip the script in midseason. Edmonds was a seldom-used backup for the first two years of his career. Buried behind David Johnson, Edmonds amassed just 719 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons combined. As a result, even though he's 26 years old, Edmonds is nowhere near the end of his career. With his versatility, Edmonds could fare well in Mike McDaniel's offense even with others in the mix. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed are holdovers from last season and the team also added former 49er RB Raheem Mostert and former Ram Sony Michel to the mix in free agency. Mostert is familiar with the offense, but expecting Edmonds to be the lead component here seems like a reasonable starting point and we've seen what the lead role has meant for a series of journeyman backs working under similar circumstances in San Francisco.
Chase Edmonds 2021 Outlook
Arizona was in need of another running back after letting Kenyan Drake go in free agency. The Cardinals’ answer was former Steeler James Conner, who signed with the team in April. It's expected that Conner and Edmonds will share reps and responsibilities in coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense that asks running backs to be both rushers and receivers. But ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss contends the "Cardinals added much-needed depth in the backfield" by adding Conner. From a fantasy perspective, that's the key. A fourth-round pick in 2018, Edmonds accounted for 850 yards from scrimmage in 2020 -- 448 rushing, 402 receiving -- and had five total touchdowns. Conner had 721 yards rushing in 13 games last year, also making 35 receptions for 215 yards. According to ESPN's Matthew Berry, Edmonds was fifth last season in fantasy points per touch (minimum 100 touches), so if you give him more touches, it's not unreasonable to expect him to score more. In nine career games with 10-plus touches, Edmonds has averaged 15.1 points per game. As Berry summed up, "Edmonds has true three-down back ability, and this is a good offense in which there will be a lot of opportunity."
