Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford rushed four times for seven yards and caught one pass for three yards in the preseason opener on Thursday night.
While the results underwhelm on paper, it's encouraging for Langford's fantasy prospects that he was the Bears' unquestioned starting running back. This would contradict scattered reports throughout the offseason that have implied Chicago would like to feature a committee in their backfield in 2016. Even more promising, the 24-year-old sophomore showed his chops as a pass protector, stuffing inside-linebacker Brandon Marshall on a free inside rush. Langford's deficiencies as a blocker out of the backfield last season were one of the main things preventing him from becoming a true workhorse back for Chicago. If he's able to replicate Thursday's performance throughout the rest of the preseason, Langford will have a great chance of securing a three-down gig.
Our algorithms project Langford as the clear starter for 2016, putting him as our 23rd-best running back in fantasy heading into training camp. We allot him 185 carries for 771 yards and 3.74 rushing touchdowns, to go with 37 receptions and 339 receiving yards and 1.70 receiving touchdowns.
Source: Rotoworld.com