A lot of people are wondering what to make of RB Jonas Gray, who had as many rushing TDs yesterday (4) as all other RBs combined. Think about that. After your mind has blown and then been reassembled, read on.
So is Gray someone you want as your RB1/2 going forward? Or was this a fluky performance. I air on the side of fluke. This is a guy who was almost cut in the preseason and entered the game averaging 4.1 YPC with zero scores and zero catches.
In Week 7, it was Shane Vereen with 114 yards and 2 TDs. In Week 8, Gronkowski exploded with 149 yards and 3 TDs. In Week 9, it was everyone--except Gray, who had only 33 yards on 12 carries.
Sunday, it was Gray's turn, as he more than doubled his career rushing attempt total by carrying the ball an incredible 38 times. To say that he was the fantasy player of the day would be an understatement. Anyone who took a chance on him in daily leagues struck gold. But to say that this is a sign of things to come would be shortsighted.
Looking forward, aside from the Packers (who give up a ton of yards to running backs), Gray's remaining opponents consist of the Lions, Chargers, Dolphins, Jets, and Bills. I believe Gray will be unstartable in at least 3 of these games, and likely will be no better than a 5-8 point desperation flex in 1-2 of them.
Sunday's performance makes for a nice story. But it's not a sign of things to come. Gray isn't likely to run the ball 38 times again. The Patriots aren't likely to gain almost as many yards on the ground (254) as in the air (257). And Belichick will continue to be Belichick, keeping defenses on their heels by assembling game plans that run counter to opponents' expectations.
Vereen is still the RB to own in fantasy leagues. Gray will go back to being the 5th or 6th option on offense.
So is Gray someone you want as your RB1/2 going forward? Or was this a fluky performance. I air on the side of fluke. This is a guy who was almost cut in the preseason and entered the game averaging 4.1 YPC with zero scores and zero catches.
In Week 7, it was Shane Vereen with 114 yards and 2 TDs. In Week 8, Gronkowski exploded with 149 yards and 3 TDs. In Week 9, it was everyone--except Gray, who had only 33 yards on 12 carries.
Sunday, it was Gray's turn, as he more than doubled his career rushing attempt total by carrying the ball an incredible 38 times. To say that he was the fantasy player of the day would be an understatement. Anyone who took a chance on him in daily leagues struck gold. But to say that this is a sign of things to come would be shortsighted.
Looking forward, aside from the Packers (who give up a ton of yards to running backs), Gray's remaining opponents consist of the Lions, Chargers, Dolphins, Jets, and Bills. I believe Gray will be unstartable in at least 3 of these games, and likely will be no better than a 5-8 point desperation flex in 1-2 of them.
Sunday's performance makes for a nice story. But it's not a sign of things to come. Gray isn't likely to run the ball 38 times again. The Patriots aren't likely to gain almost as many yards on the ground (254) as in the air (257). And Belichick will continue to be Belichick, keeping defenses on their heels by assembling game plans that run counter to opponents' expectations.
Vereen is still the RB to own in fantasy leagues. Gray will go back to being the 5th or 6th option on offense.