It is time for fantasy football managers to start planning for more than just next week’s matchup.
Most people scour their waiver wire, looking for players who can help them win this week, but we’re in Week 11. If you are locked into a playoff spot or close to it, you have to start thinking long term as well.
The cold, winter weather can be taxing on an NFL team, particularly its backfield, so coaches are looking to firm up their ground game to prepare for the upcoming grind. As fantasy managers, you should be doing the same, and that means adding players who may not have the immediate value you want, but should in the upcoming weeks.
Rachaad WhiteAPWhen Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette left Sunday’s game with a hip injury, Rachaad White stepped in and carried the ball 22 times for 105 yards to help Tampa Bay secure the win over the Seahawks. The rookie received some camp buzz back in August, but knowing Tom Brady’s distaste for trusting rookies, White was nothing more than a stash for keeper and dynasty leagues.
But with recent pass-catching work and now Fournette’s bum hip, White could be eased further into a more prominent role. Fournette isn’t expected to miss time right now, but White should be in the mix more and, with Fournette’s injury history, could be the team’s top runner by the time your fantasy playoffs roll around.
Chiefs rookie running back Isiah Pacheco is in a similar situation. After his 16-carry performance in Week 10, coupled with Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s reduced role, the time could finally be now for him.
Pacheco is much more explosive than Edwards-Helaire and has long been suspected as the heir apparent to this backfield. Added touches for a running back in an Andy Reid offense is like fantasy gold, so if you can invest, you should.
White is rostered in fewer than 50 percent of leagues on Yahoo and in less than 25 percent on ESPN. Pacheco’s ownership totals are about half of that.
The running back position has been a tough one for all fantasy managers this year, so staying ahead of the curve is going to be paramount to your playoff success. No one ever won a fantasy championship with subpar running backs, so don’t think you can be the first. Play it smart and play for the future.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy sports advice, player projections, injury updates and more.
