Well, we definitely need to discuss the two potentially major fantasy bombshells that hit yesterday. Alvin Kamara hasn't been at camp the past few days, and ESPN's Adam Schefter suspects it's a related to his relatively paltry contract. I've been wondering all year whether he might up the ante on the Saints. Think about it: Kamara has been the #3, #4, and #9 fantasy RB in his first three seasons. Combined he appears to have the second most RB points during that span (behind CMC).
It's hard to imagine Kamara's value being higher than it is now. So coming off an injury-filled season (which he valiantly fought through) and heading into a pandemic-filled one, why would he risk a massive payday to play what could be only a partial season?
If Kamara somehow sits (who knows, but stay tuned obviously), the 30-year-old Latavius Murray would be next up--though I'd be shocked if New Orleans didn't snatch up a capable 1B (or even 1A). Murray has always been competent when given enough touches. But he's not going to help lead this team to the Super Bowl. In what's expected to be Drew Brees' final season, a Kamara departure surely will be offset with an RB acquisition. If you've already drafted, I'd sell high on Murray to whoever drafted Kamara.
The often-maligned Leonard Fournette, meanwhile, is a prime buy-low candidate. Despite playing in a middling-at-best Jacksonville offense, Fournette was the #9 and #7 fantasy RB in two of his first three years, and was a back-end RB1 before getting knocked out for the 2018 season. Put him in a better offense (say, New Orleans?), and he could once again produce at an RB1 level, even as a 240-touch 1A back.
The dumping of Fournette leaves Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, James Robinson, and Chris Thompson. The biggest knock on Thompson is that he hasn't stayed healthy. But he's a potential top-50 RB if he can carve out 3-4 catches a game. Armstead missed valuable time on the COVID list, so he's been playing catchup a bit. It's anyone's guess at this point whether he, Ozigbo, and/or Robinson earn a lead role. That said, I can't imagine any of them cracking the top 25. This is a backfield to avoid right now.
It's hard to imagine Kamara's value being higher than it is now. So coming off an injury-filled season (which he valiantly fought through) and heading into a pandemic-filled one, why would he risk a massive payday to play what could be only a partial season?
If Kamara somehow sits (who knows, but stay tuned obviously), the 30-year-old Latavius Murray would be next up--though I'd be shocked if New Orleans didn't snatch up a capable 1B (or even 1A). Murray has always been competent when given enough touches. But he's not going to help lead this team to the Super Bowl. In what's expected to be Drew Brees' final season, a Kamara departure surely will be offset with an RB acquisition. If you've already drafted, I'd sell high on Murray to whoever drafted Kamara.
The often-maligned Leonard Fournette, meanwhile, is a prime buy-low candidate. Despite playing in a middling-at-best Jacksonville offense, Fournette was the #9 and #7 fantasy RB in two of his first three years, and was a back-end RB1 before getting knocked out for the 2018 season. Put him in a better offense (say, New Orleans?), and he could once again produce at an RB1 level, even as a 240-touch 1A back.
The dumping of Fournette leaves Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, James Robinson, and Chris Thompson. The biggest knock on Thompson is that he hasn't stayed healthy. But he's a potential top-50 RB if he can carve out 3-4 catches a game. Armstead missed valuable time on the COVID list, so he's been playing catchup a bit. It's anyone's guess at this point whether he, Ozigbo, and/or Robinson earn a lead role. That said, I can't imagine any of them cracking the top 25. This is a backfield to avoid right now.