Gaskin continues to get no respect from the fantasy world, but
he leads the Dolphins rushing corps in attempts, yards, targets,
receiving yards and touchdowns. He’s averaging a respectable
14.2 FPts/G which ranks 21st-best and faces a Jaguars team which
allows 28.0 FPts/G to opposing backs, including a league-high
eight rushing touchdowns. And he’s hot after a 31.9 point
outing against the Bucs, doing most of the damage catching the
ball.
D’Andre Swift is the No. 1 back in Detroit, and rightfully
so, but this week you can start both Lions’ backs if needed
due to injuries or byes. The reason both can produce is the opponent,
the Bengals, have yielded a league-high 41 receptions to opposing
backs and both Lions’ RBs are proficient receivers. Add
in a new injury to wideout Quintez Cephus (15-204-2) to the already
sidelined Tyrell Williams and both running backs should see big
workloads.
Not only is Robinson hot the past three games (22.6 FPts/G),
but he has a shot to really explode against the most generous
defense in the league to opposing backs – Miami. The Dolphins
were a solid defense in 2020, but have fallen apart in all phases
this season. They have allowed the third-most rushing yards (602),
second-most rushing touchdowns (6), sixth-most receptions (34)
and eighth-most receiving yards (246). With a number of top backs
in tough matchups, Robinson should be top-five this weekend.
When healthy Cook is elite, but he’s not completely healthy
(ankle) and facing a very tough defense presuming he returns this
weekend. The Panthers are No. 1 against opposing RBs yielding
just 12.9 FPts/G. Last season he managed just 61 yards on 18 carries
against Carolina. I know he’s had to sit if active, but
this isn’t the game for him to explode.
Back from his leg injury, Jacobs has reasserted his position
as the No. 1 guy in the Raiders backfield, but that doesn’t
mean he’s a good play in Week 6. He’s averaging a
career-low 3.2 ypc. Part of that was the turf toe injury, but
that doesn’t usually get 100% healthy until the off-season.
In Denver he’s facing the second-best defense against opposing
backs (13.0 FPts/G) and almost nothing to backs out of the backfield
(12-65-0).
The Steelers are No. 4 against running backs (16.7 FPts/G) and
now Carson (missed Week 5 due to a neck injury) or Collins will
have to do it without the threat of Russell Wilson throwing the
deep ball over the top to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Pittsburgh
has yet to give up a touchdown to a running back despite facing
the likes of Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon. Look elsewhere.
