The touches have been there for Drake (40 in two games) but the
RB1 production really hasn’t. Short passes to Hopkins and 21-158
on the ground by his quarterback haven’t left much for the inefficient
Drake, especially in the passing game (4 receptions for 14 yards).
Luckily a home date with the Lions is a place where Drake has a
chance to get healthy. Detroit has made David Montgomery look good
in Week 1, then let the Packers blast them for well over 200 yards
on the ground last week. Detroit is weak up the middle, and lacks
linebacker speed, a terrible combination to face this high flying
Cardinal team. Look for Drake to find the endzone a few times, and
prop up that 4.1 yards per carry average. Fire him up as a RB1.
With the MASH unit the NFL is quickly becoming, the old adage
“volume is king” serves this pick well. With a back-up
quarterback and his direct back-up out for a few weeks, Gordon
should soak up most of the touch volume in this backfield. Gordon
has gone over 80 total yards and a touchdown in each game, and
with a Tampa defense yielding 18 receptions to running backs over
the first two games, Gordon is a good bet to continue his streak.
Gordon has likely peaked as a fantasy player, but he’s going
to be leaned on the next few weeks with some major pieces missing
from this offense. Get use out of him while you can!
Hey let’s shift our attention to yet another team ravaged by injury,
the 49ers! If you thought Denver’s losses were bad, EVERY SINGLE
ONE of the Niners skill position players are out, very questionable,
or freshly returned from injury. Luckily because of scheme, and
opponent, San Fran can plug-and-play their running back position.
While McKinnon has been a bigger part of the offense over the last
two weeks, and Wilson has barely seen the field, I’m banking on
Wilson leading the backfield in carries this week against the Giants.
McKinnon is still working back from two injury ravaged seasons,
and isn’t ready for a full load of touches. Wilson could have been
cut for promising (and cheaper) JaMycal
Hasty, but was kept at the deadline for moments like this. With
the running back landscape the way it is, Wilson could be a cheap
waiver option that returns some value if he can see 12+ carries.
Grab Some Pine
NYJ Running Backs @ IND
You know that bloated, rotting roadkill on the side of the highway,
look close, it might be wearing a Jets jersey. Injury, coaching
ineptitude, and general lack of talent has made this offense radioactive
for fantasy purposes. Frank
Gore is a professional, and will fall forward for 60 yards,
and maybe that’s enough to survive the week, but I couldn’t stomach
starting anyone in green. Rookie La’Mical
Perine is working his way back from preseason injury and at
least showed a little wiggle (5.7 yards per carry) on his 3 carries,
but I don’t expect the Jets to suddenly get creative against a Colts
team that will run it down their throats and dominate time of possession.
This committee backfield was trouble long before they signed Peterson
just prior to the start of the season. In games where they can
stay in positive game scripts (most of Week 1) Peterson will get
the carries, but in games where the Lions have to chase points
like last week, and likely this week against the Cardinals, neither
Peterson or Johnson offer enough in the passing game. Rookie D’andre
Swift is the only back worth considering, and that’s only
as a desperate FLEX in PPR leagues.
With Josh Allen and the passing game going wild to start the season,
there just hasn’t been much chance for Moss to get involved.
He’s splitting carries with Singletary, losing short yardage
touchdowns to his quarterback, and doesn’t do enough in
the passing game. Pile on a missed Wednesday practice due to a
toe injury, and you have a less than tasty stew. There was a ton
of late summer hype coming from Moss, but there’s been no
steak to go with the sizzle. Maybe an improved opponent buttons
the offense up a little this week, but I get the distinct feeling
that they are going to try to keep on rolling with Allen and the
passing game until the wheels come off. For now, Moss has to remain
on the bench.
