Skip to main content
Advertising
Presented by

Return Of Running Back Thomas Rawls Gives Seahawks Fantasy-Friendly Backfield

Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com takes a look at Week 11 around the NFL from a fantasy football perspective.

Sunday will be a day Seahawks fans and many Fantasy owners have been waiting for since Week 2. Thomas Rawls, one of the breakout stars of the 2015 season, will be back on the field for the first time since Week 2. We haven't seen enough of Rawls this year yet to have the hope of seeing much of the form he displayed last year. Now that he is available again, the Seahawks have two viable running backs for Fantasy owners to consider for their lineups.

Rookie C.J. Prosise officially burst onto the Fantasy scene in Week 10, totaling 15.30 standard Fantasy points on NFL.com in the win at New England. Prosise ran with authority and his unique and versatile skill set was fully on display, as he totaled 87 receiving yards to go with his 66 rushing yards. It was Prosise's second 80-yard receiving day in three weeks, but his well-rounded performance last week truly signaled he has arrived as a Fantasy player.

This week's opponent, the Eagles, allow 15.03 Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing running backs, seventh-best in the league. But Prosise's dual threat abilities can allow him to challenge defenses in a very distinctive manner, so he has to be utilized at least as a flex player, especially in PPR leagues. Rawls should see a decent amount of work, enough to make him useful in your lineup if you need a replacement for a player on a bye week.

Eventually, as Rawls works back into the flow of the offense over the next two games or so, both players should at least have significant appeal as RB3s or flex options. Prosise's ability to build statistical lines as both a runner and receiver will make him worthy of strong and consistent lineup consideration. Rawls may be utilized as an interior runner and goal-line option, giving him potential to be regularly useful in standard formats.

Other notable running backs to consider for Week 11 include Isaiah Crowell, as the Steelers allow 24.36 FFPG to the position, third-most on NFL.com, and James Starks, who is back in the Green Bay lineup and offers versatility, too. Latavius Murray should get in the end zone at least once against Houston. Jeremy Hill is a consistent TD threat and should also be one to find the end zone as he faces the Bills. Theo Riddick is a must-start in all PPR formats and Robert Kelley should be started because of his guaranteed heavy workload for Washington.

Russell Wilson has scored 52.80 Fantasy Points in his past two games and returned to top-level status at his position Fantasy-wise. He has six total TDs in the last two weeks. The Eagles allow 14.06 FFPG to opposing QBs, sixth-best in the league, but Wilson is looking ultra-comfortable in the pocket and is throwing his customary downfield strikes with tremendous accuracy and precision. He should be locked into all lineups regardless of the opponent right now.

Indianapolis allows 20.66 FFPG to opposing QBs, so you have to continue to roll with Marcus Mariota. Tyrod Taylor had the best game of his career before the bye in Week 10, and he is arguably a Top 10 Fantasy QB this week against the Bengals, who yield 19.41 FFPG to the position. Blake Bortles will continue to throw a lot against a vulnerable Detroit secondary, and Kirk Cousins will give you a very good statistical line in a possible shootout with the Packers.

Doug Baldwin had his best Fantasy game of the season at New England, catching all three of Wilson's scoring passes and finishing with 23.90 standard Fantasy points on NFL.com. Now that Wilson is rolling again, Baldwin is a very good option as a Fantasy WR2 on a weekly basis. Tyler Lockett is healthy again and can be in your lineup as a fill-in for another starter on a bye this week. His value also rises again in leagues where you get points for return TDs. He is especially and additionally valuable in those leagues that count return yards.

The Buccaneers surrender 27.00 FFPG to opposing wide receivers, the most in the league. Kansas City's Tyreek Hill takes on their secondary and certainly has shown enough promise recently to be a fine bye week plugger this time. The Browns allow the third-most FFPG to the position (26.50), so do not hesitate to start Eli Rogers as a WR3. He has been capitalizing on a recent opportunity. Jamison Crowder remains a must-start as Washington takes on the Packers, and DeAndre Hopkins should have a very productive outing against the Raiders. Rishard Matthews should find the end zone again vs. Indianapolis.

The Eagles are super-stingy against opposing tight ends, allowing just 3.97 FFPG to the position, third-best on NFL.com. Still, there is no way you cannot expect at least a respectable performance from Jimmy Graham against any opponent. He has 14 catches for 192 yards in his past two home games, with a two-TD outing against Buffalo in Week 9.

Ladarius Green and Julius Thomas face the two worst teams against TEs, the Browns and Lions, respectively, and both are bold plays that could be very productive. Miami's defense may be the top unit of the week, and the Giants are a very good option vs. the turnover-prone Bears.

*The Fantasy Sports Radio Network (FNTSY) is the premier FREE 24 hour Fantasy Sports Radio Network. Listen any time at fntsy.com/radio or get the FNTSY Radio app in the iTunes Store or on Google Play. Listen to shows with Scott Engel live or on demand, including the RotoExperts in the Morning.   *

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

Advertising