All I can say is that its a pretty shitty feeling when running backs on the waiver wire are outperforming some quality starters that you drafted very highly. Running backs are very replaceable in the NFL, but somehow not quite as replaceable in fantasy football. Who gets the starts? Who will be sitting the bench. Let’s find out now!
Starts
Start of the Week;
Cordarrelle Patterson vs New York Jets
Okay so who in the hell could have predicted this man? Patterson has become a top ten running back and is relevant again. He caught three touchdown passes last weekend against the Washington Football Team. I mean these numbers are ridiculous. He should have a field day in London when the Falcons take on the Jets.
Chase Edmonds vs San Francisco 49ers
Edmonds despite having a shoulder issue heading into this week’s matchup against the 49ers is a huge start for me. I told people not to freak out over James Conner, and even though he still had touchdowns, Edmonds had the receptions and another double digit point week. The 49ers got screwed by Alex Collins this past week so yeah I’d say Edmonds (and Conner) are both starts this week.
Darrell Henderson vs Seattle Seahawks
Henderson owners had to be scared with the rib injury and the signing of Sony Michel. Both of these things aren’t able to keep Henderson down as he put up a decent stat line last week against the Cardinals. Look for Henderson to do some serious damage to a Seattle defense that consistently gives up the run.
Leonard Fournette vs Miami Dolphins
Fournette has emerged as the number one back in Tampa Bay. So sorry for all those that drafted Ronald Jones hoping he would have better luck. Fournette is a great play this week as the Bucs face a terrible Miami Dolphins team that can’t seem to slow down anyone including the running backs. The Dolphins are the second worst at defending the position. Lock Fournette in now.
Zack Moss vs Kansas City Chiefs
Don’t look now, but Zack Moss is slowly taking the reigns away from Devin Singletary. Moss was able to muster a touchdown against the Texans last week, and he continues to out produce Singletary week after week. Look for him to have a great game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Their rush defense is almost nonexistent as they continue to let backs purge the end for points.
Sleepers;
Damien Harris vs Houston Texans
Damien Williams vs Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Carter vs Atlanta Falcons
Sits
Sit of the Week;
Miles Sanders vs Carolina Panthers
If you are a Miles Sanders owner (myself included) you should be very worried right now. Not only is the back not getting enough done when he plays, but now he is losing a tremendous amount of work to rookie Kenneth Gainwell. It just seems like the Eagles really don’t know how to use him anymore which is quite sad. Also, Jalen Hurts runs a lot now so theres that. Fade on him hard as he faces the Panthers this week.
Josh Jacobs vs Chicago Bears
Jacobs got back to some form last Monday against the Chargers, but overall it wasn’t very impressive. He now has another questionable designation heading into this week’s matchup with the Bears. It’s not the most powerful defense in the world, but for some reason I just don’t much care for any Raiders offense against Khalil Mack and the Bears this week.
Myles Gaskin vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yeah I think this one speaks for itself. He was drafted so high in terms of his ADP, and he just literally sucks. The Dolphins only ran him three times last weekend against the Colts. So yeah not much else to say here as they are implying a running back committee to get the job done.
Trey Sermon vs Arizona Cardinals
Sermon did fairly well against the Seahawks last weekend, but I wouldn’t chase the points here. Rumors are that Mitchell could be coming back to the running back role, and even so they are facing the Cardinals whose defense has flourished along with the rest of their team. I would wait on the news from Mitchell though if you so choose to play him, but be warned.
Javonte Williams vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Williams and Gordon continue to split the backfield, but to be honest I don’t like either of them this weekend against the Steelers. This is honestly gonna be such a low scoring affair with the defenses dominating from both angles. I’d like to think Williams will do better, but honestly I just don’t know anymore between these two as they seem to split the points almost evenly every single time.
Busts;
Mark Ingram vs New England Patriots
Latavius Murray vs Indianapolis Colts
Samaje Perine vs Green Bay Packers
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