Dion Lewis has become that fleeting girlfriend from your adolescent years. She arrives at school one day, the new girl. You hit it off quickly before your pals even know she’s there. Then, as suddenly as she arrived, she moves again, gone.
You beat your fantasy rivals to the punch when you snagged Lewis off the waiver wire early this season. He was a fantasy gem. You were happy together. Now he’s gone, reportedly lost for the season with an ACL tear in his left knee.
It’s a heartbreaker for fantasy owners (not to mention the Patriots and Lewis himself). Problem is, unlike the old “there’s plenty of fish in the sea …” axiom, there really isn’t a lot of replacement fare to be had on fantasy waiver wires.
The first place to start is with the obvious. James Starks is like the girl next door. You’ve been stealing glances, she’s prettier than you’ve given her credit for, but you preferred BFF Eddie Lacy. Besides, Starks probably is taken anyway.
Surprisingly, not really.
Starks in available in about 60 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, though certainly less in more competitive formats. After trumpeting the oncoming Lacy train for weeks now, it’s time to give up on him winning back the true featured role. Starks can be a satisfying companion for the rest of this fantasy run.
Equally as available is Karlos Williams. He’s like the girl on the other side of town you met not long ago. This girl is prettier than the girl next door, but she might be more temperamental — Williams’ fantasy production is volatile. It’s based on the health of LeSean McCoy, who told the media he expects to play Thursday against the Jets despite leaving Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Always be more cautious about players listed as questionable on short weeks, so schedule a Thursday date with Williams if you can. And even if McCoy makes it hard to meet up regularly with your new crosstown crush, Williams has shown he can produce even in a limited role.
After that, the options become much less attractive. David Johnson is like the beauty queen with overprotective parents: Her dad lets her out of the house about as often as the Cardinals give Johnson the ball — which is to say, not much.
You could make a run at the Colts’ Ahmad Bradshaw, but he’s like the girlfriend with the tag-along pal who never leaves. Unless something happens to Frank Gore, Bradshaw’s upside is limited.
David Cobb is like a blind date. You’ve heard good things, but never seen him in action — though you’re a bit worried by reports about his weight. Expect a fantasy relationship with Cobb to move slowly, as he tries to wrestle the Titans job from Antonio Andrews.
There’s no reason for the 49ers to rush back Carlos Hyde (foot), but choosing among Shaun Draughn, Pierre Thomas and Kendall Gaskins is like finding a girl at “last call.” Pick up any of the three, you’re going to wake up the next morning with a 49ers RB on your roster. Yuck.