Friday, September 22, 2017

Heading into Week 3- Thoughts on Running Backs

Jay Ajayi is the top guy for me this week and I will be having 100% ownership in cash and GPP's.

Here is what we wrote up regarding the matchups, there's not much more I can add to this other than Muhammad Wilkerson is now extremely questionable which would make this defense extremely thin.

DOLPHINS RUSHING OFFENSE
Great matchup vs. the Jets defense.
Jay Ajayi is emerging as the face of the Dolphins offense. He has a stranglehold on the Miami backfield, drawing 64 of 68 running back snaps in Week 1, and while his workload may settle over the course of the season, he’ll likely dominate both facets of the position. Ajayi looks fantastic, running with power – 82 of his 122 Week 1 yards came after contact, and he leads the NFL over the last 12 weeks – and nimble feet on the second level. It seems absurd that teams focused so much concern on his potential long-term knee woes; he’s a truly dynamic back, and the prospect of just a handful of seasons of him was easily worthy of a second-round pick. Still, there’s a reason Ajayi underperformed so often in 2016. The Dolphins’ line was fantastic against the Chargers’ quick front seven, but may struggle with varying opponents and cohesion from week to week.
The Jets run defense, once fearsome and prohibitive under Rex Ryan, is a true liability now. Last Sunday, Oakland backs managed to rack up 123 yards on just 24 rushes, to say nothing of Cordarrelle Patterson’s 57 yards and long touchdown. And the week before, LeSean McCoy picked up 110 yards with ease (22 carries). The unit is talented, but simply possess little reliability at the linebacker position. The gifted defensive line, headlined by Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams, can only do so much to control the action. Darron Lee and Demario Davis are mediocre run-stoppers at best; Lee lacks strength and awareness, while Davis is a subpar athlete that doesn’t pursue especially well. Lee could be a building-block type of playmaker, but struggles inside and probably needs a position switch.

The biggest thing that I am trying to get more clarity on today is what to do with Derrick Henry. I am starting to come around on the idea that even if DeMarco Murray is active, he is not going to be extremely healthy and this is Henry's offense to run with. So far this season teams have been effective running on the Seahawks as Carlos Hyde had 143 yards last week and Ty Montgomery had 93 yards in the season opener.

Other guys that I like this week (In order).
Kareem Hunt
Dalvin Cook
Ty Montgomery
LeVeon Bell

7 comments:

  1. Guess you REALLY like Kareem Hunt....Nice write-up and thanks for the info!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good call, that meant to say Ty Montgomery as #3

      Delete
  2. I am worried about Ajayi. I just saw this....Jay Ajayi (knee) returned to a full practice on Friday, but he "seemed to have a slight hitch when running."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hmm, that could worry me a little bit, but full practice on Friday is a good thing. Adam Gae had this to say yesterday. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/09/21/adam-gase-says-jay-ajayi-jarvis-landry-injuries-arent-serious/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basically said that the injury was not serious, but who knows.

      Delete
  4. Thanks Devin for the article. I love Ajayi this week as well, but this just makes me a little hesitant in cash games.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am also thinking if they get up on the Jets which is likely to happen they may pull Ajayi and Parker, who I love also. Just really making me think about both in cash games.

    ReplyDelete