Fantasy Football Pulse Check: Big-name RBs outshined by sparsely-started counterparts in Week 15

Week 15 brought some very peculiar running back performances. While big names — like Saquon Barkley and Joe Mixon and Derrick Henry — wildly underperformed, random backs offered top-12 performances … likely on your fantasy bench.

What should we make of big performances from Tyjae Spears, Jerome Ford and Justice Hill? Are they simply one-week wonders or do they offer true start-worthy value next week?

Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

Ford is the most clear-cut startable back from this group moving forward. Nick Chubb broke his foot and will be out for the remainder of the season. Ford was the only other back to touch the ball on Sunday, and that’s been the trend over the past several weeks. D’Onta Foreman has been a healthy scratch and hasn’t played since Week 8. Pierre Strong hasn’t had more than two touches in a single game since Week 7.

Ford is the clear next man up and should be the lead back moving forward.

If you look at the Browns’ run game this season, I can understand why you would want nothing to do with Ford. Chubb has been the lead back since he returned in Week 7 and has had zero success on the ground outside of one two-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh. The Browns had been extremely pass-happy with Jameis Winston typically throwing over 40 attempts per game and having the third-worst rushing yards and the second-fewest rushing touchdowns in the league.

Pulse check: Is Ford usable or bound for Chubb-like performances?

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ford as the lead back this season. While it can serve as a reference point, the Browns were inconsistent in their usage, occasionally giving the bulk of carries to Foreman despite the fact that Ford was clearly outperforming him. The Browns are a bit peculiar in terms of their choices, so they could put Ford in a committee. However, given the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and the lack of touches from other backs over the past two months, I trust he’ll have enough…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-pulse-check-big-name-rbs-outshined-by-sparsely-started-counterparts-in-week-15-023334292.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-16 02:33:00

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