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How much is enough running back depth? In real-life NFL football or fantasy?
You know who probably will admit not having an answer? The San Francisco 49ers.
Everyone they send out to play the position tends to suffer some type of calamity. It is one of the most dangerous jobs in America.
First, Raheem Mostert went down, as he often does. He suffered a knee injury in Week 1, had surgery in October and has been announced as out for the year. The presumed backup was third-round rookie Trey Sermon. But some preseason boo-boos and poor performance knocked him down the depth chart, leaving the job to sixth-round rookie Elijah Mitchell.
Then Mitchell encountered his own issues. He missed Weeks 3-4 with a shoulder problem, then was out Week 11 with a broken finger. Now, he is likely to miss Sunday’s Week 14 game with a concussion and knee issue.
Sermon had been a spotty fill-in when Mitchell was out, but now he is on the IR with an ankle injury. Jeff Wilson Jr. was out much of the early season, but he returned in Week 10 and got 19 carries when Mitchell was out in Week 11. He has been dealing with a knee issue, but has been removed from the injury report.
Trenton Cannon is around, but he has zero touches since Week 2 and is dealing with a concussion. That leaves JaMychal Hasty as the only other traditional option beyond Wilson — if Mitchell sits out, as expected. The other wild card is fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who seems like the only one consistently on the field, even if he isn’t consistently used as a runner or receiver.
So let’s assume that Mitchell does not play and the others do. Regardless of which other Niners running backs are active, we like Wilson the best among them. He has some role in the passing game, though not large, and is the most likely of the bunch to get any goal-line carries. In the Week 11 game when Wilson took the lead, Sermon still got 10 carries, or about a third of the work. So we should expect others to be a part of the game plan.
If Cannon and Hasty play, we think the majority of passing-down work would go to Hasty. That isn’t a huge role, however, and Cannon likely would get enough to undermine any seasonal value for Hasty, even in PPR formats. If Cannon is out, Hasty would be a slightly less desperate option.
Juszczyk’s value doesn’t change. He is not going to be the lead back. He is not going to be heavily involved in either the run or pass game, though might get a touch or two on either front. But he is a threat to score a touchdown, putting him on the DFS radar as a cheap punt option.
That’s your 49ers’ running back situation in all its glory. It isn’t exactly a beacon of hope, but Wilson provides a sliver of light.
Big Weeks
Derek Carr QB, Raiders, at Chiefs (FD $7,200/DK $5,900)
The Chiefs’ defense has been playing better of late, but one of the two quarterbacks to post two passing TDs vs. K.C. since Week 5 is Carr in Week 10. And we expect the Raiders to have more offensive success the second time around.
Rex Burkhead RB, Texans (FD $5,300/DK $4,600)
David Johnson looks like a shell of himself, and at least Burkhead has a subtle bit of pop. Burkhead has out-touched and outperformed Johnson the past two games both played.
Mike Williams WR, Chargers, vs. Giants (FD $6,900/DK $6,000)
With Keenan Allen out, we’re willing to overlook Williams’ seven-week slump, only kept afloat in two of the past three weeks by a pair of isolated long plays.
Austin Hooper TE, Browns, vs. Ravens (FD $5,000/DK $3,400)
David Njoku is on the reserve/COVID list. If he is activated Saturday, it would be after a week of not practicing, which means Hooper could get additional snaps. If Njoku doesn’t play, it puts Hooper on the radar for back-end tight-end options.
Small weaks
Javonte Williams RB, Broncos (FD $6,700/DK $5,900)
Wouldn’t it be great if Williams had a backfield to himself? Alas, Melvin Gordon is still around, though he is listed as questionable and been practicing in a limited fashion this week while dealing with hip and shoulder problems. We wouldn’t expect a repeat of last week’s explosion either way.
Chuba Hubbard RB, Panthers, vs. Falcons (FD $6,500/DK $5,900)
Since Week 9, Ameer Abdullah has repeatedly gotten more work than Hubbard — though that was with Christian McCaffrey playing. But don’t expect Hubbard to dominate the fill-in duty as he did earlier this season. Expect a committee.
Chase Edmonds RB, Cardinals, vs. Rams (FD $5,500/DK $4,500)
Edmonds could see his first action since Week 9, after an ankle injury. Would sit on him for a week. James Conner has been productive enough that the Cardinals shouldn’t feel the need to force-feed Edmonds immediately.
Marquise Brown WR, Ravens (FD $7,000/DK $6,300)
He yardage has taken a nosedive the past three games despite ongoing steady targets (4.8 per target). Went just 8-for-51 on 10 targets two weeks ago – in the Browns’ most recent game.
Fantasy Insanity Daily Duel
Site: DraftKings
Slate: Sun. main (11 games)
Type: $12 tourney
Top prize: $25K
Pot: $205K
DREW’S CREW
QB – Taylor Heinicke (Was, vs. Dal) $5,500
RB – Leonard Fournette (TB, vs. Buf) $7,400
RB – JaMycal Hasty (SF, at Cin) $4,000
WR – Stefon Diggs (Buf, at TB) $ 8,100
WR – CeeDee Lamb (Dal, at Was) $7,200
WR – Terry McLaurin (Was, vs. Dal), $7,000
TE – Austin Hooper (Cle, vs. Bal) $3,400
Flex – Rex Burkhead (Hou, vs. Sea) $4,600
DST – Panthers (Car, vs. Atl) $2,800
WILK’S WARRIORS
QB – Dak Prescott (Dal, at Was) $6,700
RB – Cordarrelle Patterson (Atl, at Car) $6,900
RB – JaMycal Hasty (SF, at Cin) $4,000
WR – Russell Gage (Atl, at Car) $ 5,700
WR – CeeDee Lamb (Dal, at Was) $7,200
WR – Jarvis Landry (Cle, vs. Bal), $5,400
TE – Gerald Everett (Sea, at Hou) $3,500
Flex – DJ Moore (Car, vs Atl) $6,200
DST – Chargers (LAC, vs. NYG) $4,300
Season risked: $101
Season winnings: Jarad $40, Drew $15
Check @NYPost_Loftis and @NYPost_Roto for any lineup updates before Sunday kickoff.
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