Just when you think you have a handle on a fantasy backfield . . .
In Cleveland, the most productive backfield in modern NFL history (look at their incredible per-game numbers through Week 5) is now decimated. Kareem Hunt could miss several weeks. Nick Chubb is out Thursday. That leaves Demetric Felton, D'Earnest Johnson, and the recently signed John Kelly. I preferred Felton last week and still probably prefer him as the best fantasy play. This offense is not built to support Baker Mayfield throwing 45+ times, especially if Odell Beckham, Jr. remains hobbled. There's room for Felton to get 8+ points, and that's what many fantasy managers are hoping for with six teams on their bye. Kelly is the wild card; we'll know more soon how he might be used.
Meanwhile, Seattle's injury news keeps getting worse. Alex Collins replaced Chris Carson, and now he appears to be about 50-50 for Week 7. Rashaad Penny is expected to be activated. We've heard his story before: a former first-rounder who looked the part in 2018 and 2019 before injuries pushed him to the backburner. There's a clear path for him to become a surprising fantasy hero, and it begins with Collins sitting out this week. If Collins starts, all bets are off, as it's quite possible the two would split touches so that Collins isn't overworked.
One more backfield: the Bears. Is the job now Khalil Herbert's to lose? Or could Damien Williams return to the field and reclaim at least a split-backfield role? Candidly, it probably won't matter, as Chicago's headed to Tampa Bay to face an elite run defense. Yes, Miles Sanders broke through a couple times last week. But on the whole, the Bucs' D has controlled the line. Herbert doesn't do enough in the passing game to elevate his floor beyond an RB4 level. This is a good time to sell high on Herbert, on Williams, and sure, maybe on Montgomery if the price is right. Only the Jets and Texans have scored fewer points. After some productive games, I believe the ride is coming to an end.
---
Listen to the PFN fantasy podcast Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
In Cleveland, the most productive backfield in modern NFL history (look at their incredible per-game numbers through Week 5) is now decimated. Kareem Hunt could miss several weeks. Nick Chubb is out Thursday. That leaves Demetric Felton, D'Earnest Johnson, and the recently signed John Kelly. I preferred Felton last week and still probably prefer him as the best fantasy play. This offense is not built to support Baker Mayfield throwing 45+ times, especially if Odell Beckham, Jr. remains hobbled. There's room for Felton to get 8+ points, and that's what many fantasy managers are hoping for with six teams on their bye. Kelly is the wild card; we'll know more soon how he might be used.
Meanwhile, Seattle's injury news keeps getting worse. Alex Collins replaced Chris Carson, and now he appears to be about 50-50 for Week 7. Rashaad Penny is expected to be activated. We've heard his story before: a former first-rounder who looked the part in 2018 and 2019 before injuries pushed him to the backburner. There's a clear path for him to become a surprising fantasy hero, and it begins with Collins sitting out this week. If Collins starts, all bets are off, as it's quite possible the two would split touches so that Collins isn't overworked.
One more backfield: the Bears. Is the job now Khalil Herbert's to lose? Or could Damien Williams return to the field and reclaim at least a split-backfield role? Candidly, it probably won't matter, as Chicago's headed to Tampa Bay to face an elite run defense. Yes, Miles Sanders broke through a couple times last week. But on the whole, the Bucs' D has controlled the line. Herbert doesn't do enough in the passing game to elevate his floor beyond an RB4 level. This is a good time to sell high on Herbert, on Williams, and sure, maybe on Montgomery if the price is right. Only the Jets and Texans have scored fewer points. After some productive games, I believe the ride is coming to an end.
---
Listen to the PFN fantasy podcast Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372