I’m fielding a lot of questions surrounding a handful of backfield battles. That’s a sign that it’s time to weigh in a bit more comprehensively. Let’s focus on three big ones:
Seahawks -- A couple of weeks ago, not sure who outside of Seahawks coaches and management anticipated that Christine Michael was on his way out. But a 3.3 YPC in his past five games sealed the deal. (A reminder that what’s good enough for the Rams—Todd Gurley’s 3.1 YPC—simply will not stand for a Super Bowl-caliber team like the Seahawks.) Fortunately for Seattle, they have rookie C.J. Prosise and 2015 late-season breakout Thomas Rawls to fall back on. Prosise entered Week 10 with 17 total touches and proceeded to earn 24 touches in a very impressive 153-yard performance. But my money’s on Rawls to eventually re-take the lead back role he lost only after getting hurt last December. It’s easy to forget that Rawls was the #1 fantasy RB in weeks 11-13 and finished the year with a 5.6 YPC and 906 total yards on only 156 touches. A healthy Rawls is preferable to a healthy Prosise. The only thing I’m watching for is whether Rawls is too rusty out of the gate to make a serious impact during the regular season.
Packers – I didn’t buy into Ty Montgomery after his surprising Week 7 and Week 9 showings. I haven’t bought into the 30-year-old James Starks after a deceptively mediocre 10-point fantasy day on Sunday. And Christine Michael’s new team is gearing up for some very tough matchups. But Michael stands out as the Packers’ best hope for a semblance of a consistent running game. As the team’s 14+ touch starter, he’d be an RB2/3. As part of a “hot hand” backfield, he’s no better than a stash.
Eagles – I’ve admitted to being very wrong about Ryan Mathews. But his RB2 production is due more to touchdowns (seven) than running prowess (4.2 YPC). In fact, only twice in nine games has he exceeded the 4.0 mark—and only three times in his last 14 games. Meanwhile, Darren Sproles has never been more, and will never be more, than a complementary passing-down back. That leaves Wendell Smallwood, whose couldn’t stay healthy this preseason, preventing him from making a run at a meaningful role. But by all accounts, he’s a player Philly wants to develop, and who has the skills to be a top 25 RB in 2017. If he gets the touches. He’s a must-stash in deep leagues this year and is a decent bet to earn a more prominent shared role in the final stretch.
Seahawks -- A couple of weeks ago, not sure who outside of Seahawks coaches and management anticipated that Christine Michael was on his way out. But a 3.3 YPC in his past five games sealed the deal. (A reminder that what’s good enough for the Rams—Todd Gurley’s 3.1 YPC—simply will not stand for a Super Bowl-caliber team like the Seahawks.) Fortunately for Seattle, they have rookie C.J. Prosise and 2015 late-season breakout Thomas Rawls to fall back on. Prosise entered Week 10 with 17 total touches and proceeded to earn 24 touches in a very impressive 153-yard performance. But my money’s on Rawls to eventually re-take the lead back role he lost only after getting hurt last December. It’s easy to forget that Rawls was the #1 fantasy RB in weeks 11-13 and finished the year with a 5.6 YPC and 906 total yards on only 156 touches. A healthy Rawls is preferable to a healthy Prosise. The only thing I’m watching for is whether Rawls is too rusty out of the gate to make a serious impact during the regular season.
Packers – I didn’t buy into Ty Montgomery after his surprising Week 7 and Week 9 showings. I haven’t bought into the 30-year-old James Starks after a deceptively mediocre 10-point fantasy day on Sunday. And Christine Michael’s new team is gearing up for some very tough matchups. But Michael stands out as the Packers’ best hope for a semblance of a consistent running game. As the team’s 14+ touch starter, he’d be an RB2/3. As part of a “hot hand” backfield, he’s no better than a stash.
Eagles – I’ve admitted to being very wrong about Ryan Mathews. But his RB2 production is due more to touchdowns (seven) than running prowess (4.2 YPC). In fact, only twice in nine games has he exceeded the 4.0 mark—and only three times in his last 14 games. Meanwhile, Darren Sproles has never been more, and will never be more, than a complementary passing-down back. That leaves Wendell Smallwood, whose couldn’t stay healthy this preseason, preventing him from making a run at a meaningful role. But by all accounts, he’s a player Philly wants to develop, and who has the skills to be a top 25 RB in 2017. If he gets the touches. He’s a must-stash in deep leagues this year and is a decent bet to earn a more prominent shared role in the final stretch.