Who To Watch: Thomas Rawls
(Seattle Seahawks, Running Back)
Week 12
In a season full of injuries, running backs have become the position that's most injury prone. Through 11 weeks, we have seen these at least one running back on every team go down with some type of injury. With the season-ending injuries of Jamaal Charles, Arian Foster, Le'Veon Bell, and Justin Forsett, many backups have been forced into the starting role. Some of these backup RBs have performed extremely well earlier this season when called to action, like: DeAngelo Williams, Charcandrick West, Javorius "Buck" Allen, and Jeremy Langford. One of the most successful running backs from week 11 is my Who To Watch for week 12, Thomas Rawls.
Thomas Rawls started his college career at the University of Michigan and ended his college career at the University of Central Michigan. He was named on the 2014 Second-Team All-MAC. Suspended for two game due to being charged with 3 felonies and missed a lot of time at the end of his college career due to a knee injury. Entering into the 2015 NFL Draft, Rawls was projected to be a late round pick. He ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash; his strengths were in his size, good hands, ball security, quick feet, and blocking ability. He was known for being a great power back. Rawls went undrafted in the 2015 draft, which was mainly because of his off the field issues.
Although he went undrafted, Rawls found a home in Seattle. The Seahawks entered into the NFL Preseason games with Marshawn Lynch as their No. 1 and three guys battling for the No. 2 spot. These guys were Christine Michael, Robert Turbin, and Thomas Rawls. The Seahawks, over time, ended up parting ways with Turbin and Michael, turning their attention to Rawls as Lynch's backup. This made Rawls a very good handcuff for Marshawn Lynch in many fantasy leagues. Through 10 weeks, Rawls had 125 carries for 395 yards and one touchdown.
In the game of fantasy football, we are entering into the later half of the season. Some fantasy owners are sitting comfortable at the top of their league. Many of us are preparing for that playoff push, while some are hoping for a miracle. In a game that causes unpredictable injuries, we must prepare our team for the worst. By studying the waiver wire, the weekly injury report, and the individual players' updates, we can be ready to add/drop, start/sit at a moments notice. In week 11, Marshawn Lynch was updated right before kickoff to the inactive list against the 49ers, which put all the spotlight on backup running back, Thomas Rawls.
Only a few of us were able to pickup Thomas Rawls before his game against the 49ers in week 11. He had 30 carries for 209 yards and one touchdown in the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Playing better than Lynch in many areas of his game, Rawls is a very popular halfback for his week 12 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seattle halfback is only owned in 32% of leagues, entering into the week 12 waiver wire. He's one of the hottest running backs for this week. With Lynch possibly having surgery, Rawls will be the No. 1 back in Seattle for the rest of the regular season. The Seahawks have ran the ball on 60% of their plays, which is second in the league this season. Priced at $4,500 in DFS, Thomas Rawls is a cheap RB1 for week 12.
Who Else To Watch in Week 12
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ • QB) - Even with a broken hand, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been playing well for the Jets. Between Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, Fitzpatrick has continued to throw for a high completion percentage at 58% through 10 weeks. Entering into the Jets' week 12 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, "FitzMagic" is only owned in 25% of leagues. He's not a bad streaming option against Miami this week, in a league where solid QBs have become slim. Priced at $5,000, Ryan Fitzpatrick is an above average starting option at QB in Daily.
Brian Hoyer (HOU • QB) - Still needing to pass the NFL's Concussion Protocol, Hoyer has a great matchup against the New Orleans Saints this week. Hoyer has been playing well, scoring over 17 fantasy points in a 5 game stretch when he was fully healthy. The Texans' offense is clicking on all cylinders entering the later half of the season; with a healthy core of wide receivers (DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington, & Cecil Shorts III) and a steadily rotation of halfbacks (Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, & Jonathan Grimes), Brian Hoyer has the weapons to completely dominate a horrible Saints defense. Only 12% owned, Hoyer is a great streaming option this week. Priced at $5,000 in DFS, the Texans' QB is going to have a high start percentage in Daily lineups.
Jameis Winston (TB • QB) - In a season where QBs are dropping like flies, Winston has become a top 10 QB in fantasy. With the return of Vincent Jackson, Winston has been able to spread out his targets. Both Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson are top fantasy wideouts for the rest of season. Along with Doug Martin's strong performances and Charles Sims' ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, the former No. 1 Overall Draft Pick will be able to continue his dominate performance. Going up against a depleted Colts' D, Winston is only 24% owned. Priced at $5,500, Jameis Winston is an affordable option to start at QB if you want to spend more on other positions in your Daily lineup.
Spencer Ware (KC • RB) - Unsure about the severity of Chacandrick West's injury, the Chiefs could be forced to move on to their third running back of the season. West has been playing lights out as the starter, ever since Jamaal Charles' season-ending injury. I don't see the Chiefs completely moving on to Ware for the rest of season, if West has to sit out a week. But Spencer Ware played very well last week when West went down with a hamstring injury; he ran for 96 yards, 2 TDs on only 11 carries against the San Diego Chargers. Ware is only owned in 7% of leagues; he will be one of the top 3 waiver wire pickups this week. Priced cheaply at $3,800 in DFS, Spencer Ware is a perfect start against Buffalo this week.
Javorius "Buck" Allen (BAL • RB) - With Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett's season-ending injuries, the Baltimore Ravens look to Buck Allen to lead their backfield for the rest of the season. Especially with the injury to Flacco, the Ravens will be forced to run the ball a ton. Barely owned at 12%, Allen is a hot, waiver wire pickup this week. Unlike Spencer Ware, who might only start one week because of West's possible return, Buck Allen is the Ravens' unquestionable starter. So while the rest of your league puts Spencer Ware as their No. 1 waiver claim, I would advise you to go after Buck Allen. Going up against the Cleveland Browns in MNF, Allen is priced at $4,600 in Daily.
Tevin Coleman (ATL • RB) - With DeVanta Freeman's concussion, the Falcons' week 1 starter will get his chance to reclaim the backfield. Tevin Coleman was the lead back at the beginning of this season, but after he got hurt, Freeman ran away with opportunity. Going up against the Minnesota Vikings, Coleman will have to prove himself against a tough defense. Only owned in 27% of leagues, Coleman should have been owned by every Freeman owner. On the waiver wire this week, look to see how high the Freeman owner is ranked and choose your waiver claim carefully. Obviously owners of DeVanta are freaking out, so ignore the one week starter (Tevin Coleman) and claim a ROS starter, like: Thomas Rawls or Buck Allen. Priced at $4,300, Tevin Coleman could be a cheaper option at running back. If Freeman remains out due to the NFL's Concussion Protocol, then Coleman could be a Boom-or-Bust RB2 for week 12.
Shaun Draughn (SF • RB) - With Carlos Hyde's foot injury sidelining him for multiple weeks, the 49ers have turned to Shaun Draughn to ignite their poor offense. Week after week, the San Francisco 49ers have been unable to get their offense going. During this season, the 49ers offense has gone through many changes. They benched Collin Kapernick and started Blaine Gabbert at QB; they lost running back, Reggie Bush, to a season-ending injury; they have been depending on the performance of injured players, like: Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin, and Torrey Smith; and now, they have lost Carlos Hyde to a major injury and are forced to start Shaun Draughn. Only owned in 17% of leagues, Draughn is widely available in many leagues. Likely to be the starter in an offense that needs to rely on someone healthy, Draughn is a smart pickup during this week's waiver wire. Going up against the Arizona Cardinals this week, Draughn is only priced at $3,800 in DFS.
Terrance Williams (DAL • WR) - With Dez Bryant and Tony Romo returning from injury, Terrance Williams has become a valuable, fantasy wideout once again. When Dez was out, Williams was constantly shadowed and double-covered. While Romo was out with a broken clavicle, Terrance was unable to perform with Brandon Weedon and Matt Cassell as his quarterback. Now that both Dez and Romo are playing, Williams will perform well again. Showing his worth last week against the Miami Dolphins, Romo threw touchdowns to Dez and Terrance. Only owned in 41% of leagues, Terrance Williams is a great add for any team that's hurting at WR. Priced at $4,200 in Daily Fantasy, Williams could be a good start as a WR3 with upside against the Carolina Panthers this week on Thanksgiving Day.
Ted Ginn Jr. (CAR • WR) - As one of Cam Newton's two receivers, Ted Ginn Jr. has proven himself as a productive, fantasy wideout. Going into the later part of the season, defenses are focusing their coverage on Greg Olsen, Newton's favorite target. Because of the lopsided coverage, Ginn has been able to get open more. In fact, this has given Cam Newton the opportunity to break away and run more. Going up against a struggling defense in Dallas, look for Ted Ginn Jr. to stack up the his targets. Only 38% owned, the only Panthers' No. 1 wideout is still available and is a great pickup for any team that needs a depth at WR. Priced at $3,700, Ted Ginn Jr. could be a solid start at wide receiver in Daily.
Marquess Wilson (CHI • WR) - With the recent injury to Alshon Jeffery, Jay Cutler has found two new receivers to target, Zach Miller (TE) and Marquess Wilson (WR). Depending on if Jeffery is healthy or not this week, Wilson will either be the No. 1 or 2 receiver for the Bears. Watch to see if Alshon practices this week or not, before making a decision on Marquess Wilson. Only 8% owned, Wilson is a boom-or-bust wideout each week. He would make a great pickup in deeper leagues. Although I'd stay away from him in Daily, Wilson is priced at $3,900 this week in the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Crocket Gillmore (BAL • TE) - In an offense that's been hit extremely hard by injury, Gillmore and Buck Allen stand alone as the only two offensive weapons for the Ravens. With Matt Schaub as the starting QB, now that Joe Flacco is out for the rest of the season, look for Crocket Gillmore to be targeted a ton. Going up against the Cleveland Browns in MNF this week, Gillmore will be a Boom-or-Bust tight end each week for the remainder of the season. If he's targeted a lot this week, then look for him to continue that production. If he doesn't get the targets this week, then consider him a bust ROS. At 22% owned, Crocket Gillmore could be a smart stash if you have the room, but remember that this week will dictate his production for the weeks to come. I'm also staying away from him in DFS, as he is priced at $4,800.
Colby Fleener (IND • TE) - A non-factor in the offensive game plan while Andrew Luck was quarterback, Colby Fleener has become one of Matt Hasselbeck's go-to targets. I'm an offense that has a ton of weapons, the Indianapolis Colts have continued to struggle throughout the year. Look for the Colts to change things up with Hasselbeck at the helm; also, look for Hasselbeck to target his tight ends, Colby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, more this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They will want to turn things around quickly as the end of the season nears. Only owned in 18% owned, Fleener has the opportunity to finish in the top 10 of tight ends in fantasy. Priced at $3,000 in DFS, Colby Fleener is a tempting start as a Boom-or-Bust tight end.
By: Cameron Black (KingShivaFantasy)
@GBCam_Black
