Fantasy owners scramble to replace Arian Foster
For a league that prides itself on parity, only 11 of the 32 NFL teams have winning records. But a remarkable four unbeaten teams will head into Week 8.
Weekly notables
Fantasy owners saw the season end for another workhorse running back when Arian Foster tore his Achilles tendon. That could be the end of his career as well, given he turns 30 next summer and contemplated retirement last year.
In Foster’s absence in the first three weeks of the season, the Houston Texans relied primarily on Alfred Blue, though Chris Polk had a larger role and even led the backfield in Week 2 with 14 carries in a loss at the Carolina Panthers. Blue turned in 31 carries for 139 yards and one score in the home win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but offered minimal production in the previous two weeks. Blue is still the best bet to lead the committee, but he’ll face the resurgent Miami Dolphins next.
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was hampered by a hamstring strain earlier this year but came off his Week 6 bye to post eight catches for 164 yards and one score in the loss to the Washington Redskins.
Evans is healthy and meshing well with quarterback Jameis Winston, with a nice stretch of schedule looming. The Bucs next face the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts with a chance to extend his return to elite fantasy status.
Tight end Eric Ebron of the Detroit Lions is quietly having a great second season after being drafted in the first round in 2014. He scored in each of the first two games, caught four passes for 61 yards in the loss to the Denver Broncos and then injured his knee in Week 4.
Ebron returned Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and led the team with five receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown. As long as he is healthy, he’s been productive every week, even against great defenses. This week, he’ll face the weak Kansas City Chiefs secondary.
Charcandrick West became the clear leader in the Chiefs backfield when he rushed for 110 yards on 22 carries with one score in the win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Knile Davis had one carry.
West is still short of replicating Jamaal Charles, as he only recorded two receptions for 19 yards. His next two opponents are the Lions and Broncos, so he’ll have lower production in the coming weeks.
Todd Gurley rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the St. Louis Rams’ win against the Cleveland Browns, making it three consecutive games with more than 100 yards. The last time a rookie accomplished that feat was 10 years ago, when Carnell “Cadillac” Williams hit that mark in his first three games before stumbling in the next four, failing to gain more than 30 yards. That’s unlikely to be a problem for Gurley, who should make it four when the San Francisco 49ers visit in Week 8.
Darren McFadden comes off his best game since 2011, rushing for 152 yards and one score in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the New York Giants. McFadden caught nine passes for 62 yards in Week 6 when he replaced Lance Dunbar, who was lost for the season. Joseph Randle was limited to two runs Sunday because of a back injury. The performance will at least buy McFadden more playing time with the Cowboys at home the next two weeks against the Seattle Seahawks and Eagles.
Redskins tight end Jordan Reed started the year on a hot streak with three consecutive games of six or more receptions. But he suffered a concussion in Week 4 and was inactive the next game. He returned with a very quiet game against the New York Jets. But he picked up his production again Sunday with an 11-catch, 72-yard effort in the win against the Buccaneers. He also scored twice.
The Redskins’ need to pass increases as the running game gets worse. Reed will remain a big part of the game plan when he comes off his Week 8 bye to face the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Panthers and the Giants.
Worth a second look
Each week features a few players who spark fantasy interest for the first time. And there are always others who were dropped earlier in the season but now look more attractive.
•Kirk Cousins. The Redskins quarterback had six consecutive games with one touchdown pass but comes off a career-best fantasy showing of 317 yards and three touchdowns in a win against the Buccaneers.
He added three runs for 15 yards and a fourth touchdown as the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback of the week. Having a healthy Reed made a difference, and the same will be true for wide receiver DeSean Jackson when he returns.
•Orleans Darkwa. The Giants running back capitalized on his first eight rushes of the year when he ran for 48 yards and one score in the win against the Cowboys. He led the team in carries, but the three other backs had four or five carries. Darkwa is just an additional runner in an already crowded backfield that is not looking to rely on anyone heavily.
•Chris Conley. The Chiefs wideout was a third-round pick in April and had been little-used in the first six weeks. But Conley turned in six receptions for 63 yards and one score in the win against the Steelers.
He was replacing Jeremy Maclin, who was inactive because of a concussion, but consider the ex-Georgia star worth monitoring or even adding in a deep dynasty league. The Chiefs desperately need playmakers after the loss of Charles.
•Robert Woods. The Buffalo Bills wide receiver is another at least worth tracking, because he comes off a season-best nine catches for 84 yards and one score in London. Woods led the team in targets (13) as well.
Percy Harvin appears lost for the season, and Sammy Watkins cannot stay healthy. Woods will be needed more in future weeks but goes on his bye before facing the Dolphins in Week 9.
•Clive Walford. The Oakland Raiders spent their third-round pick on Walford as the second tight end drafted.
The 6-4, 259-pound product from Miami (Fla.) — Tight End U — is being brought along slowly and has caught just five passes this season. But two of them were in Sunday’s win against the San Diego Chargers, and his first catch went for a 23-yard touchdown.
He’s more of a dynasty stash to be sure but was drafted with the intention of becoming the receiving tight end.