As the NFL season enters Week 7, fantasy owners need to start making tough decisions with bye weeks becoming a big factor. Good players may need to be let go to fill up roster spots in certain weeks. Today, we will look at the New England Patriots running back committee.
Shane Vereen
Stevan Ridley's season is over after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in Sunday's victory over the Buffalo Bills, opening the door for a much larger workload for Vereen. He hasn't received double-digit carries in any game this season, despite averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
With Ridley around, Vereen was known as the passing downs back. Despite his prowess in the receiving game though, Vereen averaged just 3.4 targets per game after being thrown to eight times in Week 1. Vereen's usage wasn't what owners expected, likely because Ridley was running well for the most part.
Without Ridley though, Vereen offers big play ability in the running game as well as receiving. He won't transform into a touches-hound like Dallas' DeMarco Murray, but 18 touches per game as a floor is not an unreasonable expectation.
Brandon Bolden
Bolden has done nothing this season fantasy-wise, so adding him is basically a leap of faith that he'll slot right into Ridley's vacated role as an early-down back that will get the bulk of the red zone touches.
Last season Bolden got 55 carries and averaged a healthy 4.9 yards per attempt. He was also targeted 21 times in the passing game, racking up 251 yards and three touchdowns. Bolden is more versatile than advertised, and actually more versatile than Ridley.
James White
White was a hyped rookie this preseason only to disappoint those who took a flier on him by being buried by Vereen and Ridley. At Wisconsin he scored double-digit touchdowns in three of his four seasons, and as a senior he made strides as a pass-catcher.
In White's lone game of action this year he got three carries for 21 yards, and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards. Nothing spectacular, but productive nonetheless. He's a more exciting player to own than Bolden, but Bolden's familiarity with the Patriots' offense may give him the leg up.
What To Do
Vereen is the obvious player to own in this scenario, but he wasn't on the waiver wire so if owners want him, they'll have to make a trade. If you're desperate at running back adding Bolden is the correct move. He has been successful before, there's opportunity, and there's no guarantee Vereen will be effective as an every-down back. If Vereen falters, gets hurt, or can't cut it between the tackles Bolden will see his fair share of work.
For owners in a good spot though, White's the add. He is more speculative, and may not contribute much all season, but his upside is greater than Bolden's. He showed receiving chops in college, and had no problems running rampant over Big Ten defenses. Granted, those aren't NFL defenses, but if he gets an extended look it's possible he runs away with the role.
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