The 2017 draft class brought us incredible fantasy value with guys like Kamara, Hunt, Fournette, Engram, and Juju. They were almost all drafted cheap, or not at all, and many of them were on your league’s championship roster. The 2018 off-season hyped many rookies as potential studs, but many haven’t quite looked the part in these first 3 weeks. Who are we moving on from, and who’s kept their spot on our roster?
Ronald Jones II
Jones has been a healthy scratch in all three games to start the season, and there are no signs pointing to a promotion to the active roster. He had an abysmal pre-season, putting up a total 22 yards on 28 carries and dropping 2 out of his 3 targets. To add salt to wound, Bucs RB coach told the media there’s “probably a reason” he only received 17 targets in college. A very rough start to his NFL career, but Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers are not exactly making things happen between the tackles. The opportunity might come eventually, but there’s “probably a reason” he’s available in more than 80% of leagues right now. We call bust.
Kerryon Johnson
This guy also managed to climb ADP towards the end of draft season and was going around the 5th round. He’s steadily earned carries through these three weeks and just became the first 100 yard rusher in Detroit since Reggie Bush - where’s the parade? Kerryon passes the eyeball test by a mile and has been efficient when getting the ball, averaging 5.5 yards per touch. Kerryon’s biggest limitation will be his coaching staff, and their determination to use other RBs not named Kerryon Johnson. He is clearly their most efficient back, and he’s seeing a steady increase in carries week by week. We like the direction he is trending. A lot. A risky play in weeks 1-3, we’re comfortable using him in the flex spot moving forward. This guy is going to be a fantasy stud in all formats. It might be too late to trade for him, but if he has a down week, we're targeting him all over.
Rashaad Penny
Rashaad Penny has completely busted on fantasy expectations, but then again, most of the Seattle offense has. In half PPR formats, Penny was taken as the RB26, going just after guys like Marshawn Lynch, Dion Lewis, and Carlos Hyde. Despite the hype, he missed valuable preseason reps after a broken finger and came into the season 16 lbs heavier than his combine weight. He’s got 20 carries and 4 catches on the season, posting a modest 78 total yards. His usage has been sporadic however, and the Seahawks have made it clear that this is Chris Carson’s backfield to lose. Combine that with his shaky o-line and anemic looking offense, you can certainly find better options. He does have one leg up on the aforementioned RoJo - at least he’s active. Bust for now, but he has a chance to emerge.
Royce Freeman
Towards the end of drafting season, Freeman made a massive climb in ADP and was going as early as the third round. He was announced as the starter, and fantasy players everywhere saw the sky open up. It wasn’t the sun that they saw, however. It was…. Undrafted free agent, Phillip Lindsay? In the first three weeks, Freeman and Lindsay have split touches basically straight down the middle which is astounding for a guy that was not highly scouted by fantasy analysts. Lindsay is outpacing Freeman in total yards, but time will tell if he can keep up with his efficient 6 yards per carry on a long term basis and maintain health with a small frame. However you want to cut it, Freeman is likely to receive 10-15 touches per game, and seems to be the preferred guy on the goal line. He’s flex worthy with touchdown upside. If you can, package trade him while he still might have value. Otherwise, he’s a guy we’re playing with the right match up.
Catch our WR article, coming soon! Keep blasting.