There’s a great scene in the underrated movie “Mean Girls.” Gretchen, a member of the elite clique “The “Plastics,” keeps trying to get the phrase “That is so fetch” to catch on. Regina tells her popular pal, “Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.”
Well, after this week, fantasy owners can stop trying to make Kenyan Drake happen.
The Dolphins running back was a fourth- or fifth-round pick in drafts based on how he finished the 2017 season. After Jay Ajayi was traded to the Eagles, Drake and Damien Williams became a backfield committee for a few weeks. Once Williams went down with an injury, Drake exploded. Over the final five games of the season, he averaged 17.7 fantasy points.
With Williams and Ajayi gone entering this year, it was going to be the Year of the Drake. After all, potential Geritol spokesman Frank Gore was brought in just to be a complementary back, right?
Heading into Week 14, Gore had close to 50 more rush attempts on the season and more red-zone carriers, 15 to Drake’s 12. So it was clear it was going to take an injury to Gore for fantasy owners to get expected production out of Drake, right?
Well, Gore left Sunday’s game in the first half with an ankle injury. Finally, the path was clear for Drake to get his proper fantasy feast. We thought: This is gonna be so fetch.
Instead, in came Kalen Ballage. Who? Kalen Ballage. You know, the rookie from Arizona State who had eight previous carries the entire season for a paltry 11 yards. On Sunday, he ran 12 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Drake ran once for 6 yards. Drake was still more active in the passing game — three grabs for 28 compared to Ballage’s one for minus-2. But that hardly makes up for the inequity in rush attempts.
So if you have a fantasy team that was relying on Melvin Gordon, James Conner, Spencer Ware or Aaron Jones, what do you make of this situation and how it can help rectify your plight? Well, in short, it sort of can’t.
First, you don’t drop those players until it is known for certain they won’t play in Week 16. If any is good to go, he will be better than any waiver alternative you can find, including Ballage.
After all, do we really know how the Dolphins’ workload will be distributed next week? When Gore was in, there was still an occasional “Drake week,” when the more explosive back blew up.
Also, check out the Dolphins’ Week 16 opponent: the Jaguars. They were holding opposing running backs to 3.7 fantasy points fewer than the league average, and that was before shutting down Adrian Peterson and the Redskins.
You’re better off aiming at Jamaal Williams, Darren Sproles (in PPR), Wendell Smallwood (in standard) or Elijah McGuire. All provide a more trustworthy workload and matchups that at worst are no worse than what either Dolphins RB faces versus Jacksonville. Go fetch a different option.
Playing to win
Baker Mayfield QB, Browns
He had four TD passes in Week 12. Bengals were second-worst defense vs. opposing fantasy QBs heading into this past week.
Dak Prescott QB, Cowboys
The Bucs’ pass defense isn’t as bad as advertised (allowed 3.2 TD passes per game in their first five, but just 1.6 since). But against Dallas, expecting them to overcompensate for equally weak defense vs. run.
Jamaal Williams RB, Packers
Aaron Jones said he believes he has a sprained MCL — which, if true, would keep him out this week. That means Williams is viable based on volume alone.
Robby Anderson WR, Jets
The Packers gave up the fourth-most points to opposing fantasy WRs through the first 14 weeks. Anderson is coming off a strong game. No reason the Jets won’t let rookie QB Sam Darnold air it out.
Playing not to lose
Tom Brady QB, Patriots
He was the 12th-ranked fantasy QB before his dud at Pittsburgh. Against the Bills in Week 16, find an alternative.
John Kelly RB, Rams
Todd Gurley left Sunday’s game for a spell because of a knee issue. Kelly is a worthy add as a handcuff. But remember: This is essentially going from a top-tier first-stringer to a rookie fourth-stringer — on an offense that is already sputtering.
D’Onta Foreman RB, Texans
With Lamar Miller dealing with an ankle injury, there is talk of activating Foreman, who is recovering from an Achilles injury. Foreman is a next-year thing. You would rather have Alfred Blue if Miller is out.
Mike Williams WR, Chargers
Faces a tough Ravens defense, which could shade coverage his way if Keenan Allen is out. Don’t chase points after his big game.