'Tis the season for desperation RBs. If you were skilled enough to grab Jerick McKinnon early this season, he likely won't help you on Sunday. If you were savvy enough to pick up Latavius Murray heading into last week's dominating--albeit brief--performance, he's worthless to you in Week 13.
These are two RBs who, to varying degrees, helped fantasy owners weather the storm of not having 2-3 rock-solid RBs to carry them into the playoffs. Who does one turn to, besides a shoulder to sob all over?
In lieu of McKinnon and Murray, Joe Banyard and Marcel Reece are expected to play modest-to-meaningful roles this weekend. If you're desperate, there are worse guys to rely on. Minnesota's head coach has spoken glowingly about Banyard, who performed very well last week in a limited capacity. Meanwhile, Reece is a veteran who might just be the best healthy Raider RB (a case could be made for McFadden, but I won't make it).
It should be assumed that both Banyard and Reece will get at least 8 touches, with the chance to double that if they play well. So if you have nowhere else to turn (besides that aforementioned shoulder, which believe me, is not very comfortable), strongly consider starting Banyard and Reece. Each should get at least 5 fantasy points, and I think they're decent bets for 7+, making them, at a minimum, RB3s. Not bad for a desperation move.
I'm particularly high on Banyard, who will be facing a bottom-third run defense at home. In fact, I'm so high on him that I'm starting him in one of my leagues. After losing Ahmad Bradshaw and then Murray, and with Alfred Blue appearing fairly worthless with Arian Foster returning, I have nowhere else to turn in my 12-team, 20-player league, where even most RB handcuffs are locked up on others' rosters.
So if Banyard's good enough for me, hopefully he's good enough for you. And if he turns out to be bad enough for me, I hope you didn't listen.
These are two RBs who, to varying degrees, helped fantasy owners weather the storm of not having 2-3 rock-solid RBs to carry them into the playoffs. Who does one turn to, besides a shoulder to sob all over?
In lieu of McKinnon and Murray, Joe Banyard and Marcel Reece are expected to play modest-to-meaningful roles this weekend. If you're desperate, there are worse guys to rely on. Minnesota's head coach has spoken glowingly about Banyard, who performed very well last week in a limited capacity. Meanwhile, Reece is a veteran who might just be the best healthy Raider RB (a case could be made for McFadden, but I won't make it).
It should be assumed that both Banyard and Reece will get at least 8 touches, with the chance to double that if they play well. So if you have nowhere else to turn (besides that aforementioned shoulder, which believe me, is not very comfortable), strongly consider starting Banyard and Reece. Each should get at least 5 fantasy points, and I think they're decent bets for 7+, making them, at a minimum, RB3s. Not bad for a desperation move.
I'm particularly high on Banyard, who will be facing a bottom-third run defense at home. In fact, I'm so high on him that I'm starting him in one of my leagues. After losing Ahmad Bradshaw and then Murray, and with Alfred Blue appearing fairly worthless with Arian Foster returning, I have nowhere else to turn in my 12-team, 20-player league, where even most RB handcuffs are locked up on others' rosters.
So if Banyard's good enough for me, hopefully he's good enough for you. And if he turns out to be bad enough for me, I hope you didn't listen.