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Week 8 Offenders

Alexander Mattison

Minnesota Vikings

Mattison made the handcuff report back in the pre-season as a premium handcuff, and needs to be rostered by all Dalvin Cook owners heading down the stretch of the fantasy football regular season. Barely on the field for a quarter of the Vikings offensive snaps (26.4%), Mattison’s athletic ability was still on full display. The Vikings are giving Mattison the ball when he is on the field, touching the ball 78.9% percent of his snaps compared to Dalvins 54.9%. In week 8, Alexander took 13 carries for 61 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and now averaging 4.9 ypc on the season. If anything were to happen to Cook, Mattison is fully capable of producing in our fantasy lineups in an offense built around the run. The Vikings rank 3rd in the NFL in rushing attempts per game (32.9). Mattison is averaging 10.8 touches per game over the past 4 weeks, if he is able to find the field for more than 26% of the offensive snaps he’ll start to flirt with weekly flex value. 

Rashaad Penny

Seattle Seahawks

Another premium handcuff from the preseason, Penny has returned from his hamstring injury that kept him sidelined the majority of the first half of the season. A similar situation to Cook/Mattison, Penny is an injury way from being the lead dog in an offense that ranks 4th in rushing attempts per game (31.4). Penny showed some pop against Atlanta, taking 8 carries for 55 yards and averaging an impressive 6.9 yards per carry. If you own Carson, adding Penny is a top priority this week. Penny’s name has been linked to a couple of trade rumors heading in to trade deadline on Tuesday, but I do not see anyone giving SEA a 1st round draft pick for Penny and I doubt the Seahawks bail on a 1st round investment only in his 2nd season. This is purely based off my own reasoning, but look for Penny to stay put. 

Kenyan Drake

Arizona Cardinals

It was only a matter of time, Kenyan Drake’s name has been linked to trade rumors dating back to the beginning of the season. The worse part of this news is the indication that the Cardinals do not expect David Johnson to return anytime soon. Adding insult to injury, Chase Edmonds suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to have him sidelined for at least 1 game. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cardinals acquired Kenyan Drake from the Dolphins in exchange for a 6th round pick (potential 5th round). Drake was a the #14 PPR running back last season in Miami and now has a clear path for RB1 work with DJ sidelined and Edmonds nursing through a hamstring injury. Like I always say, hammy’s like to linger man…they’re a linger-er. Available in roughly 30% of ESPN leagues, 39% of Yahoo leagues, and 25% of NFL leagues, double check your waivers to see if Drake is available in your league. 

Tra Carson

Detroit Lions

Don’t hold your breath for someone to emerge from this Detroit backfield. I warned everyone last week not to waste top waiver priority nor blow FAAB money for Ty Johnson. Tra Carson ended up leading led this backfield in touches even though Johnson led in snaps. Johnson recorded 25 snaps, Carson 19, JD Mckissic 16, and Paul Perkins 6. We can expect a weekly committee headache moving forward, and don’t be surprised to see the Lions make a move at the trade deadline or dip into the free agent pool. The Lions run game as a whole is a fade for fantasy, averaging the 7th worst yards per rush attempt (3.6), and the 10th fewest rushing yards per game, its safe avoid any of these backs. Ty Johnson, Tra Carson, and J.D. Mckissic are only worth it in leagues big enough to justify the bench spot and are desperation plays until we see the usage for any back in DET stabilizes. 

Under Surveillance

Boston Scott – PHI – The Eagles running game flexed their muscle for the first time this season after the team got dragged through the glass in the media last week from the bum DB, Orlando Scandrick. Miles Sanders showed why the Eagles spent a 2nd round pick on the Penn State alumni, taking 3 carries for 74 yards and his first NFL rushing TD. Later in the game, Sanders was spotted headed to the locker room with what seemed like a shoulder injury. The 2nd year back, Boston Scott entered the game for a second week in a row and found pay-dirt on a 4-yard rush. Sanders shoulder is not expected to be serious, but is worth monitoring as the week progresses. If Sanders were to miss anytime, Scott would be a speculative add in PPR formats as he would assume a passing down/change of pace role in this offense and Jordan Howard would get a boost in all formats. 

Keeping Detained

Jamaal Williams – GB – Since returning form his concussion suffered against Philadelphia, Williams snap % numbers are 52.7 – 40 – 46.4. Jamaal is averaging 18.43 fantasy points per game and is the fantasy RB9 in PPR leagues since week 6. Averaging 11 touches per game over the previous three weeks, Williams needs to be owned in all PPR formats. Aaron Jones did exit Sunday Nights game with a shoulder injury, but was able to return. Jones owners need to aggressively pursue acquiring their premium handcuff before the fantasy playoffs begin. 

Darrell Henderson Jr – LAR –

Yes, Darrell Henderson worked alongside Todd Gurley in snaps (28 vs. 32) as well as touches (13 vs. 10).

Also yes, Gurley didn't play a snap after pushing lead to two TDs in early 3rd quarter; Henderson had 10-of-13 touches in this 'mop up' stretch.

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 28, 2019

A nearly even snap share (51.6 to 48.4), and efficiency numbers in week 8 (4.5 ypc for Henderson and 4.4 ypc for Gurley), Henderson continues to cap Gurley’s ceiling with Malcom Brown sidelined. Extremely low end flex value, averaging only 6.5 PPR points over the previous 3 games, Henderson lacks the redzone usage that yields weekly flex value. But the Rams are clearly managing Gurley’s snaps, and if Gurley’s knee falls apart down the stretch of the season then Henderson will be a must own fantasy asset. Gurley owners need to roster Henderson before he has a “pop” game and becomes a top waiver wire add. 

Leave you roster and lineup questions below. Find me on twitter @NicRomeroFF.