Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em (2018): Running Back Edition: Week 12: Gus Edwards, Josh Adams & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Trying to decide who you should start or sit this week? Let’s take a look at a few potential decisions owners have and try to sort through them:

Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens
vs. Oakland

Everything is pointing towards Joe Flacco again sitting out for Week 12, providing Lamar Jackson an opportunity to further secure the role as the Ravens’ starting quarterback.  While Alex Collins continues to underwhelm, the bigger, bruising Edwards came out of nowhere and proved to be an ideal “thunder” to Jackson’s “lightning”.  Just look at the numbers the two put up in Week 11:

• Lamar Jackson – 26 carries for 119 yards
• Gus Edwards – 17 carries for 115 yards and 1 TD

It’s hard to imagine the team not going back to that well this week, especially against an Oakland defense that has struggled against the run all season (they are currently allowing the second most rushing yards per game, at 142.3).  While you may want to be skeptical about Edwards, there’s more than enough upside to consider him a viable RB2 and a must play FLEX.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (Viable RB2)

Josh Adams – Philadelphia Eagles
vs. New York Giants

After Week 10 Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News (via Twitter) reported:

Josh Adams will get more carries going forward, Doug Pederson said.

Obviously it’s tough to draw many conclusions from the Week 11 blowout against the New Orleans Saints, though Adams was the clear leader of the backfield:

• Josh Adams – 7 carries for 53 yards and 1 TD
• Corey Clement – 2 carries for 11 yards
• Wendell Smallwood – 1 carry for -4 yards

There shouldn’t be a blowout this week, and based off last week’s breakdown there’s a good chance Adams emerges with 12+ carries.  Against a Giants’ defense that’s no longer anchored by Damon Harrison, there’s a good chance he turns those touches into a strong performance.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (Strong RB2)

Chris Carson – Seattle Seahawks
at Carolina

Carson appears to have emerged as the clear top option for the Seahawks, though how long will that last?  The team’s 2018 first round pick is gaining steam, is right on the heels of Carson and could emerge at a moment’s notice:

• Chris Carson – 17 carries for 83 yards and 1 TD (4.9 YPC)
• Rashaad Penny – 8 carries for 46 yards (5.8 YPC)

Carson did lose a fumble, his second lost fumble of the season.  Penny, meanwhile, has posted 154 yards on 20 carries over the past two weeks.  This could easily turn into a timeshare (or, if Carson fumbles again, a new leader) against a defense that has been generally solid against the run.  That risk pushes Carson more into the FLEX range as opposed to a trustworthy RB2.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em (Consider more of a FLEX)

Kenyan Drake – Miami Dolphins
at Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts are a middle of the pack defense against the run this season, but they have also been steamrolling opponents of late.  Would it really be a surprise if they quickly amassed a big lead against Miami, forcing the Dolphins to take a pass heavy approach?

That would benefit Drake, who is the pass catcher in the Miami backfield, though he’s only had one game with more than 4 receptions and he’s averaging a mere 23.4 yards/game.  Does that sound like a strong play?

Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com

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Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 rankings: