I've touted Samaje Perine three times this summer: first in June's 32-teams-in-32-days write-up on the Redskins, then in my draft play-by-play, and then in a post on undervalued third- and fourth-string RBs. My assessment of the second-year back can be summed up in my stated reasoning for selecting him at pick #245 of my July draft:
"Now running behind new rookie Derrius Guice and 2017 breakout Chris Thompson, Perine seems like a wasted pick, even in round 21. But he's a young, fairly versatile back who's one Guice or Thompson injury away from entering the RB3 conversation. That's good enough for me."
www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com/2018/07/annual-fantasy-draft-play-by-play-part_27.html
Since a large number of preseason starting backs get seriously hurt or demoted, Perine was the last of nine (yes, nine) successive handcuff RBs I selected as part of a deliberate strategy to maximize the potential for striking gold during the season. If even two of the nine became starters at some point, I'd be in line for a championship-caliber roster.
Derrius Guice's torn ACL is a crushing blow to those who invested roughly a fourth rounder on the promising rookie. But those fantasy managers can still recover. Rostered in under 3% of ESPN leagues, Perine is in line to, at worst, be part of a three-man RBBC with Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson. That would put him in the RB4/5 conversation -- a TD-dependent, 8-10 touch guy. But if he separates himself from the pack and earns the two-down workload that was expected of him when Washington drafted him last year, then Perine will be primed for RB2/3 production. The next week -- including Washington's next preseason game -- should clarify which way the team's headed.
A torn ACL also has doomed Deon Cain, who was seriously vying for #3 wideout honors in Indy. Ryan Grant's hold on the #2 job is now very strong, while rookie Daurice Fountain becomes a guy deep-leaguers need to pay a little more attention to.
Back to Perine: Folks, I can't stress this enough. If you're carrying a #2 TE who's not ranked in the top 6, or if you're rostering a WR5, or if you've got a top 14-18 backup QB and plenty of QBs in the 18-26 range are still available, drop these guys and add a team's #2 RB. Don't settle for 5-7 points a week when you can play the handcuff lottery and earn 12+ points if a starter gets hurt. I realize some of you can carry only 4-5 guys on the bench, and you've got to adapt when bye weeks hit. But no seemingly worthless player has anywhere close to the upside of a talented handcuff.
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League ID: 20432 / Password: mariota
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"Now running behind new rookie Derrius Guice and 2017 breakout Chris Thompson, Perine seems like a wasted pick, even in round 21. But he's a young, fairly versatile back who's one Guice or Thompson injury away from entering the RB3 conversation. That's good enough for me."
www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com/2018/07/annual-fantasy-draft-play-by-play-part_27.html
Since a large number of preseason starting backs get seriously hurt or demoted, Perine was the last of nine (yes, nine) successive handcuff RBs I selected as part of a deliberate strategy to maximize the potential for striking gold during the season. If even two of the nine became starters at some point, I'd be in line for a championship-caliber roster.
Derrius Guice's torn ACL is a crushing blow to those who invested roughly a fourth rounder on the promising rookie. But those fantasy managers can still recover. Rostered in under 3% of ESPN leagues, Perine is in line to, at worst, be part of a three-man RBBC with Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson. That would put him in the RB4/5 conversation -- a TD-dependent, 8-10 touch guy. But if he separates himself from the pack and earns the two-down workload that was expected of him when Washington drafted him last year, then Perine will be primed for RB2/3 production. The next week -- including Washington's next preseason game -- should clarify which way the team's headed.
A torn ACL also has doomed Deon Cain, who was seriously vying for #3 wideout honors in Indy. Ryan Grant's hold on the #2 job is now very strong, while rookie Daurice Fountain becomes a guy deep-leaguers need to pay a little more attention to.
Back to Perine: Folks, I can't stress this enough. If you're carrying a #2 TE who's not ranked in the top 6, or if you're rostering a WR5, or if you've got a top 14-18 backup QB and plenty of QBs in the 18-26 range are still available, drop these guys and add a team's #2 RB. Don't settle for 5-7 points a week when you can play the handcuff lottery and earn 12+ points if a starter gets hurt. I realize some of you can carry only 4-5 guys on the bench, and you've got to adapt when bye weeks hit. But no seemingly worthless player has anywhere close to the upside of a talented handcuff.
--
Quick reminder: If you want to sign up for the FF4W Top 300 Preseason Rankings, register using the big blue box at www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com. Or if it's easier, you can go on PayPal directly and donate something to fantasyfootballforwinners@gmail.com. The rankings are updated and e-mailed to you every week, and they include positional ADPs to make it easier to spot bargains and busts. As most of you know, it's pay-what-you-want, and FF4W readers have contributed anywhere from $1 to $125 this year. All donations are appreciated, and all subscribers -- regardless of what you pay -- are treated the same. Thanks to those who've helped keep this otherwise free page running.
Also, if you want to join the fourth annual FF4W Survivor Pool, click here: officepoolstop.com/JoinLeague.aspx.
League ID: 20432 / Password: mariota
51 of you have signed up so far. I know we can once again crack 100.