Can head coach Kyle Shanahan rekindle some
of that Alf magic from 2012?
Grab a Helmet
Alfred
Morris @ MIN: Maybe you drafted Jerick McKinnon, or
went with a Zero-RB strategy in your draft. Heck, maybe you even
decided to YOLO and stream your running backs all year! Whatever
the case, Morris being considered as a Week 1 fantasy starter
sounds a lot less crazy than it did a few weeks ago. Thrust to
the forefront after a devastating injury to McKinnon, Morris steps
right into a starting role for the same coach that guided him
to his career year in 2012 (335-1613-13; 77-0). Don’t get me wrong,
I understand that Morris’s glory days were years ago, and he was
on the street this time last month, but the 49ers need to run
the ball, and I think Morris can have some limited success this
week. Don’t expect a windfall against the Minnesota defense, but
Morris could sneak over the goal line and give you 60 total yards.
Not bad from a guy sitting on waiver wires as I type this.
Royce
Freeman vs SEA: Few rookies have looked better on the
field this preseason that Freeman. The 3rd round pick from Oregon
has shown power and speed, as well as a versatile skill-set on
his way to 3 touchdowns and a 5.6 yards-per-carry average this
summer. He’s done enough to gain some serious steam as we head
into Week 1, and even if the Broncos don’t give him a ton of carries
to start the year, it’s only a matter of time. Seattle was middle
of the pack at best last year against the run, and is in a transition
year on defense. With their linebackers banged up and inexperienced,
Denver should be able to mount a solid rushing attack, and I look
for Freeman to lead the way as a solid RB2 option with upside.
Kenyan
Drake vs TEN: Drake has had a terrific summer, continuing
to build off his dazzling second half of 2017. A two-way game,
to go with a strong power/speed combo, Drake is one of my favorite
sleepers this season because of his versatility and big play ability.
I don’t believe Gore was brought in for anything more than a veteran
presence, and Drake has the skills to keep the old man on the
bench. The former Alabama runner was a borderline RB1 last season
when given starters touches, and I think that holds this season.
Tennessee struggled at times against dual-threat backs last year,
as their linebackers can tend to be thumpers. Miami needs to filter
their offense through their best player, and I think we’ll see
this season, that Drake is that guy.
Grab Some Pine
Le'Veon
Bell @ CLE: Bell and the Steelers are in a nearly identical
spot in Week 1 of 2018 as they were in 2017. As I write this,
Bell still hasn’t even reported to the team, and with less than
a week to go, it’s not hard to envision a similar result to Week
1 of last year (10-32-0; 3-15-0). The Steelers and Bell struggled
on the road against the Browns, only to squeak out a win in the
end. History tends to repeat itself, and unless they have a new
way to adjust or prepare, I see the Steelers limiting Bell’s touches,
the offense struggling against a hungry defense that has the home
opener crowd, and Bell falling way short of his draft status,
at least for the first week.
Update: As of Thursday, Bell has yet to report
to the team and isn't expected to play in Week 1. James Conner
should get the start and makes for a viable RB2 against the Browns.
Kerryon
Johnson vs NYJ: Unless Detroit was using the wounded
animal fake out this preseason, I have some serious doubts about
this team. The line utterly failed to protect Stafford, the running
backs got nothing going and there still is no clarity on how this
three-man rotation is going to shake out in the long term. There
has been no indication that rookie Kerryon Johnson is going to
get enough touches to really make a fantasy impact, so for opening
week it’s anyone’s guess who leads this backfield in touches.
Do the Lions morph into Patriots Midwest and go with a gameplan
based rotation? Do they use each guy in specific roles? Until
this situation becomes clearer, I’d hesitate to use Johnson, Blount
or Riddick in any meaningful non-FLEX role.
Jordan
Wilkins vs CIN: As little as I like the Lions runners
this week, I somehow like the Colts running back options much
less. Marlon Mack is hurt, (and not great when healthy) and the
rookies Wilkins and Nyheim Hines have done little to inspire confidence
this summer. This offense has the look of a dreaded season long
RBBC situation, as the Colts will yet again live and die on the
right arm of Andrew Luck. All the backs seemed to be running into
brick walls this August so the best option with this backfield
in Week 1 is simply “wait and see”.
