My latest Sports Illustrated column runs through five injured RBs, their backups, and the likelihood that the old starters will re-claim their old starting jobs:
http://www.si.com/fantasy/2014/10/22/fantasy-football-week-8-injured-running-back-montee-ball-toby-gerhart
Montee Ball is one name to keep in mind. He had so much potential entering the season, but he wasn't able to put it all together before getting hurt. I see almost no chance for Ball to retain any fantasy value upon his return. There's too much talent in that backfield, and Ball's 3.1 YPC doesn't help.
I always say that injuries = opportunities. RB1s and RB2s spring up out of nowhere all the time. The most successful fantasy owners frequently are those who identify these players weeks before their competitions.
Taking a step back, on the downside, my four suggestions leading up to Week 7 did not pan out. I clearly misread the landscape on Ryan, Helu, Keenan, and Pettigrew.
But on the plus side, this blog has pushed readers to pick up a bunch of RB backups several weeks before the "experts" were taking notice. These guys include Ahmad Bradshaw (preseason), Denard Robinson (Week 2), Bishop Sankey (Week 2), Jerick McKinnon (Week 3), Branden Oliver (Week 4), and Shane Vereen (Week 4). If you cleared some roster space to add two or three of these backups a few weeks ago, you'd be sitting on a pile of RB1s and 2s to be used as trade bait or to propel you to first place in your league.
More little-known RBs will make names for themselves in the coming weeks. I still believe in Devonta Freeman, Carlos Hyde, and yes, even Roy Helu. Sometimes we need to take a leap, add a player, and then brace for the possibility that he'll becomes an RB1 overnight. That's what makes champions.
http://www.si.com/fantasy/2014/10/22/fantasy-football-week-8-injured-running-back-montee-ball-toby-gerhart
Montee Ball is one name to keep in mind. He had so much potential entering the season, but he wasn't able to put it all together before getting hurt. I see almost no chance for Ball to retain any fantasy value upon his return. There's too much talent in that backfield, and Ball's 3.1 YPC doesn't help.
I always say that injuries = opportunities. RB1s and RB2s spring up out of nowhere all the time. The most successful fantasy owners frequently are those who identify these players weeks before their competitions.
Taking a step back, on the downside, my four suggestions leading up to Week 7 did not pan out. I clearly misread the landscape on Ryan, Helu, Keenan, and Pettigrew.
But on the plus side, this blog has pushed readers to pick up a bunch of RB backups several weeks before the "experts" were taking notice. These guys include Ahmad Bradshaw (preseason), Denard Robinson (Week 2), Bishop Sankey (Week 2), Jerick McKinnon (Week 3), Branden Oliver (Week 4), and Shane Vereen (Week 4). If you cleared some roster space to add two or three of these backups a few weeks ago, you'd be sitting on a pile of RB1s and 2s to be used as trade bait or to propel you to first place in your league.
More little-known RBs will make names for themselves in the coming weeks. I still believe in Devonta Freeman, Carlos Hyde, and yes, even Roy Helu. Sometimes we need to take a leap, add a player, and then brace for the possibility that he'll becomes an RB1 overnight. That's what makes champions.