by Ray Kuhn
The injuries are just not going to stop. LeSean McCoy really had no business being on the field last week, and we likely won’t have much more clarity on his situation for Sunday, while Atlanta has already confirmed that Tevin Coleman will not be taking the field this week. To make matters even more stressful as fantasy owners attempt to navigate the running back position, six teams are on bye. Let’s take a look at how the running backs who are taking the field this week look:
- DeMarco Murray – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
- Ezekiel Elliot – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
- David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals – at Carolina
- Spencer Ware – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
- Lamar Miller – Houston Texans – vs. Detroit
- Christine Michael – Seattle Seahawks – at New Orleans
- Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Green Bay Packers
- Matt Forte – New York Jets – at Cleveland
- Jacquizz Rodgers – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Oakland
- Melvin Gordon – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
- Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Washington
- James White – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
- C.J. Anderson – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- Frank Gore – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City
- Latavius Murray – Oakland Raiders – at Tampa Bay
- LeGarrette Blount – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
- Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints – vs. Seattle
- Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers – vs. Arizona
- Jeremy Hill – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Washington
- Theo Riddick – Detroit Lions – at Houston
- Isaiah Crowell – Cleveland Browns – vs. New York Jets
- Mike Gillislee – Buffalo Bills – vs. New England
- Matt Jones – Washington Redksins – at Cincinnati
- Ryan Mathews – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
- Matt Asiata – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
- Duke Johnson – Cleveland Browns – vs. New York Jets
- Jerick McKinnon – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
- Devonate Booker – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- T.J. Yeldon – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
- Chris Thompson – Washington Redskins – at Cincinnati
- Zach Zenner – Detroit Lions – at Houston
- Darren Sproles – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
- Bilal Powell – New York Jets – at Cleveland
- Chris Ivory – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
- Jeremy Langford – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
- LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills – vs. New England
- Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
- Knile Davis – Green Bay Packers – at Atlanta
- C.J. Prosise – Seattle Seahawks – at New Orleans
- DeAndre Washington – Oakland Raiders – at Tampa Bay
Notes:
- Last week was a roller coaster ride for McCoy and his owners, and things worked out about as bad as they possibly could have. After seeing him leave practice on Wednesday it seemed like he would be sidelined last week, but after hearing conflicting reports leading up to game time, he was in the lineup in Miami. McCoy was clearly limited by his hamstring, in which he admittedly had pain, and gained just 11 yards on eight carries before leaving the game after aggravating his injury. It was the worst possible scenario as Mike Gillislee also didn’t play a factor as he gained 20 yards on five carries while not catching a pass. It is still early in the week and Buffalo has yet to commit to anything different for this week, but I would not expect them to make the same mistake twice. That would mean a legitimate workload for Gillislee, who has shown the ability to find the end zone and move the chains. So far this season he has 22 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns while catching three passes for 27 yards and another touchdown. This is a situation to watch closely leading up to Sunday with the hope that Gillislee carries the ball 20 times.
- With Tevin Coleman sidelined might we be returning to the glory days of Devonta Freeman from last season? While sharing time with Coleman, Freeman is already more than halfway to 1,000 yards on the ground (508 yards) while averaging 4.8 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. Freeman has also caught 22 passes for 169 yards, and this week the entire workload will go to him as Coleman has 59 carries and 19 receptions. While it is not be ideal that Atlanta is facing the Packers and their number one ranked run defense, they did allow 157 yards on the ground to Ezekiel Elliot.
- It is clear that Kansas City is going to take it slow with Jamaal Charles, and fantasy owners should do the same. After last week Andy Reid said that Charles’ leg was just not feeling right, and he carried the ball one time for no gain. On the other hand, Ware once again looked like an RB1. Against a weak New Orleans defense he capitalized, gaining 77 yards on 17 carries while also catching two passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Facing an Indianapolis defense that allowed DeMarco Murray to gain 107 yards and a touchdown last week, Ware is appropriately ranked for this week. Averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 95 carries, he has become the center of Kansas City’s offense.
- While I wouldn’t rush to judgement, Jordan Howard’s time as being a fantasy relevant running back might be coming to an end. Over the past two weeks his stock has sunk quickly and his spot on your roster has to be considered tenuous. After eclipsing 100 yards in two straight weeks he has gained 56 yards on the ground in the last two weeks on 22 carries. Last week he got just one carry in the second half while Ka’Deem Carey took over his touches. Carey carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards, but game flow also has to be taken into account after Brian Hoyer was injured. This is week is tough for any Chicago back as they face the Vikings, but Jeremy Langford is also back in practice. Of the three Langford might be the back to own if he returns, but it is a situation I would avoid if possible. So far this season, Langford was averaging just 3.7 yards per carry on 31 carries with two touchdowns, so it’s not like he was tearing up the field either.
- Unfortunately for fantasy owners this has become the new norm, but there appears to be some sort of timeshare taking place in Denver. While C.J. Anderson is still the back to own, and at worst should be treated as a mid-tier RB2, Devontae Booker is now officially on the radar and has become worthy of FLEX consideration. While Anderson gained more yards on Monday, 107 to 87, Booker was on the field for more snaps (35 to 29) and also had more touches. I wouldn’t expect to see both backs receive such a heavy workload moving forward, but it also wouldn’t be surprising as Denver looks to minimize Trevor Siemian. Anderson has had success this season, averaging four yards a carry while scoring four touchdowns, but Booker is the more explosive back. So far the rookie has 51 carries for 244 yards and his role is certainly beginning to increase.
Hello Professor, 12 team standard, looking at some roster mgmt.
Wrs:Julio, aj, Mike thomas, DeVante Parker
RBs : Gordon,Crowell, Howard, McKinnon, dixon, coleman.
Looking at picking up moncrief.
Who would you drop? , maybe dixon, McKinnon or Howard? , thank you
Professor,
I am heavy at running back with Ingram, Ware, J.Stew, Riddick and Booker, and Beasely is just sitting out there tempting me in a 12 team PPR
WR I have are Nelson, Beckham, and Pryor
Would you drop any of the RB’s for Beasley?
Drop riddick
Just to follow up on the? Above, I start 2 wr’s, 2 rb’s & wr/rb flex, thank you
Got Howard now. Langford is on the wire. What do I do.
Or do I just DROP them BOTH. And stay away from the Bears altogether. Probably other Howard’s fault as much as O line.
hey professor, i have carson palmer and blake bortles as my QBs, and Roethlisberger is on the waiver wire, which should i drop for Roethlisberger? or should i just keep carson and blake?
thank you
Hey professor would you start mariota Thursday or Prescott Sunday thanks
Professor,
Where does Booker place in your rankings now that it looks like CJ Andersen will be held out?
Patriots – id probably drop Dixon first, but any of the three are expendable
Smidge – Riddick definitely droppable for him
Haggy – Depends what’s out there, but it’s a situation I’m avoiding if possible
Hbomb – I like Bortles, but I’d drop him to stash Roethlisberger without a thought
Barney – I guess Mariota, but don’t koce either
Sahel kazemi – If Anderson is out he’s a Top 10 option for me
So Keep Howard or Grab Langford ?????
Or Drop BOTH???
Got D.Johnson, Ware, Charles, Lacy and Starks too. And Howard. Grab Langford and Drop Howard or Drop Howard and not take Langford.
haggy – At this point I’d lean Langford, but if I could I’d avoid the situation all together.
Damm
Grade the trade or which is the better deal:
I’m trying to trade RB Ajayi for a better WR like Dez (ROS)
My other RB’s are Hyde, Blount, CJ, Latavis Murray, and Jaquizz
My Wr’s are Moncrief, Alshon Jeffries, M Evans, T Benjamin
My TE is Gronk
1.) RB Ajayi & WR Travis Benjamin for WR Dez & TE Hunter Henry
or TE Julius Thomas
or
2.)RB Ajayi & WR D Moncrief for WR Dez & TE Hunter Henry
or TE Julius Thomas
its a PPR League
Considering you have Gronk, is there a reason you are targeting a TE in the deal?
I only have $5 FAAB money left in my budget!
Trying to shore up my roster for the final push just in case!!
My QB’s are Russell Wilson & Cousins
Do I stand pat with this squad?
Im 3-4 in a 10 team league 2 games out of 1st place and 3 teams make the playoffs out of each division?
I want Dez because of his easy schedule down the stretch
Do I continue to carry Eddie Lacy on my bench or not. I should be in playoffs but wonder if he may be back or not. At what point do I drop him.
BWAY – I wouldnt just give a blanket stand pat, that would be complacent. I’d look around for the deal that makes most sense.
Haggy – It all comes down to need really, if you needs he roster spot or not
Really don’t NEED the spot. THINKING grab someone like Langford or Green TE Pitt. For Depth.
Hi professor! Need to sit one of the four: Mark Ingram, Melvin Gordon, Christine Michael or Jonathan Stewart?
It’s between Ingram and Stewart. I’d lean sitting Stewart, but it’s close
1 pt PPR: Beasley DAL or Micheal Thomas NO ROS?
I’m going Thomas
Just dropped Howard. Picked up Langford. Got Lacy and Starks. Thinking Lacy don’t return so keeping Starks. Or keep Lacy and pray he comes back.Think he will Prof. Or drop him.
Who should I start in a non PPR league this week league Jacquizz Rodgers vs the Raiders or Melvin Gordon vs the Broncos?
Haggy – I think he will be back, but who knows how effective he’ll be
Billy – I’d lean Rodgers, based on the matchup
Would you bench Lacy or Starks at this point. Leanning Starks as he is getting back soon.???
Gotta drop one.
I’m in a desperate situation with C.J. Anderson out. All of my other RB’s have Bye’s this week. And Booker is already taken, Zenner, K. Davis, J. Langford, and D. Washington are on the waiver who would you recommend? 12 team standard league. Thanks!
Prof Doyle this week a good start
Jay – I’d gamble on Zenner of those guys, with Langford #2
Barney – I’m using him!
Hey roto 1ppr can you rank Edelman, j Matthews, kelvin and Michael Thomas Lao I can start either Chris Thompson or j hill thx
Benjamin
Thomas
Edelman
Matthews (though he and Edelman are pretty close)
I want to say Thompson, but I’d lean Hill
Mr. Roto
I am in a ten team standard scoring league. I just traded for Brandin Cooks and Asiata. Should I play Asiata over Fuller in one flex spot, Asiata over Blount in my RB spot, or play Cooks and M. Thomas in my two flex spots? Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Donnie
I’m using Asiata over Fuller w/o a second thoughtr
Thank you. That’s my problem. Second thoughts. One more question… Doyle or Fiedorowicz? I currently have Doyle in. Been a hard season for TE’s.
Yea, I’d lean Doyle but both are higher risk/high reward