Javorius Allen could be a season-saving waiver wire pickup
Fantasy owners who were lucky enough to land Javorius Allen – aka Buck – off waivers a couple weeks ago have big smiles on their faces heading into the playoffs. Allen’s yards per carry (under four yards) are not impressive, but his targets (24 times in the last three games) and what he has done in the passing game (catching 21 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns) certainly are.
The Baltimore Ravens have been decimated with injuries and have backups playing at every key position (QB, RB and WR). Having a pass-catching running back can be a backup quarterback’s best friend as well as a fantasy owner’s plug and play RB2 on a weekly basis in PPR leagues. Because there are only a handful of playmakers left on the roster, Allen should help those teams that have lost high-profile running backs this fantasy season.
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With a schedule that features the Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers during the playoff run, fantasy owners may be hesitant to start Allen. If Allen wasn’t so heavily targeted in the passing game, it would be understandable to proceed with caution. But with the high volume of passes he is catching, owners should feel comfortable playing him as a mid-range RB2 or flex play throughout the fantasy playoffs.
If teams start to key in on Allen, we could see a sudden decrease in his targets. However, most of the playoff defenses Allen will face have issues with pass-catching backs. The Seahawks allow 7.2 yards per catch and the Chiefs allow 6.8 yards per catch. So, unless teams start to send multiple defenders Allen’s way, he should still be able to pick up some yards after the catch.
Allen was a 2015 fourth-round draft pick of the Ravens, so it would be safe to assume they will continue to use him as their featured back. The former USC running back’s receiving and blocking skills in college were a reason he was drafted by the Ravens. He is the perfect fit for a Marc Trestman offense. Since Justin Forsett turned 30 in October, Allen may be a nice addition to dynasty league rosters. Forsett still has two years remaining on his contract, but Allen should push him for more playing time next season.
Many fantasy championships are won by surprise players who come on strong at the end of the season. Buck Allen is that type of player. If an owner picked up Allen off waivers, chances are it was because of an injury to a starting running back. He is a season-saving running back who won’t single-handedly win you a playoff game or championship, but could very well give you those 15+ fantasy points you need from your RB2 with upside. Feel comfortable playing him every week you are still alive in the fantasy football playoffs–he could be a difference-maker.
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Hilton Guidry is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Hilton, check out his archive and follow him @fantasygumbo.
