It’s been a tough season for Bucs fans. Their once thought-to-be franchise QB is no longer with the team, their star RB is on IR and the team has had the NFL’s worst record the entire season. Now we know even when they do win, something bad happens.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, RB Mike James – who has looked good in limited action – suffered a fractured ankle during Monday Night’s game vs. the Dolphins. He’ll be out indefinitely pending further testing. We’re not doctors here at FantasyPros, but it sure sounds like James could miss a good chunk of time.
So what’s the fantasy fallout of the injury (outside of James’ owners taking a hit)? Our Featured Pros are here to tell us the Bucs’ RB fantasy owners should target on this week’s waiver wire.
With James out for the foreseeable future, is Brian Leonard or Bobby Rainey the better pickup and what is their value moving forward?
“When James initially went down, it was Leonard who picked up the slack (20 carries, 57 yards). Leonard is a journeyman third down back, and he can get what’s blocked and nothing more. He was already a viable bye week fill-in in PPR formats due to his pass catching ability, and should see an increased role with James out. However, the upside play is second-year RB Bobby Rainey (8 carries, 45 yards, TD), who has superior speed and agility. He rushed for 1,600+ yards in each of his final two years at Western Kentucky and the Tampa Bay coaching staff showed confidence in him when they gave him a goal line carry (which he converted). Leonard will be involved and could see 10-15 touches depending on game flow, and that should give him low-end RB3/flex value, especially in PPR formats. I believe Rainey will see more carries and should hold RB2/RB3-type value provided he stays healthy.”
– John Paulsen (4for4)
“I’d make Brian Leonard the priority pickup over Bobby Rainey on this week’s waiver wire. Even though Rainey looked far better Monday, Leonard will likely remain the passing-down back for the Buccaneers. Considering this is a one-win team, one would expect the passing down back to see the bulk of the action in any given week. Both are worth adding in standard leagues this deep in the season, but I’d place Leonard just a bit higher.”
“I believe Rainey is the better pickup. While Leonard got his chances before Rainey, once the unproven youngster got in the game, he showed far more burst and play-making abilities. A team with a young quarterback who can’t shoulder the load all by himself needs explosive plays from the running game to stay ahead of schedule and in proper down-and-distance situations. Rainey isn’t more than an RB3/FLEX going forward, though. Leonard will likely still play on third downs, putting him around that same level in PPR leagues (but with less value in standard leagues).”
“Assuming that the Buccaneers do not bring in a free agent back, Bobby Rainey should be the one getting the early-down carries, considering Brian Leonard was born a third-down down back and should always be one. Leonard could have done worse with is 20 carries Monday night, but does not look like he can handle the role long-term. Meanwhile, Rainey flashed some potential, mainly on his a 31-yard run that led to his 1-yard touchdown.”
“James’ broken ankle came at the one-yard line on the end of a great drive against Miami that showed two things: 1. James rarely gets negative yardage. 2. The Buccaneers’ offensive line play was not a fluke against the Seahawks. Then, Brian Leonard and Bobby Rainey both ran well behind the same O-line. Unfortunately, the Bucs face the Falcons, Lions, Panthers, Bills and 49ers in the next five games, ranking as one of the toughest stretches for any team trying to run the ball. The Lions, Panthers and 49ers are tough on the run, and even the Falcons and Bills don’t allow many rushing touchdowns. I’d pick up either player for depth (I think Leonard gets more action going forward because of his hands), but with this schedule coming up, and the success of their counterpart, neither is worth anything more than a flex going forward. ”
NEITHER
“Can I say neither? Brian Leonard got the bulk of the action after James went down, but Rainey cashed in with a touchdown. The latter is certainly more dynamic than the former, but I worry about enough touches. It all depends on floor-to-ceiling ratio: if you need a decent floor, Leonard is your man. But Rainey is the gambling man’s gambit.”
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