Patrick Laird Week 15 Outlook - Buccaneers at Lions

By Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros), Tue, Dec 10th 2019, 12:24pm EST

With the lack of depth on the Dolphins roster, Laird played 59-of-72 snaps in Week 14, totaling 86 yards on 19 touches. He didn't score or have much efficiency, but that was enough to finish as the RB20 in PPR formats last week. That was against the Jets, who are a much tougher matchup than most realize, allowing the fifth-fewest total yards per game to running backs. The Giants aren't a great matchup either, but they're still allowing a much more reliable 145.7 total yards per game to running backs. Based on pure opportunity, the Jets and Giants are right next to each other (8th and 9th), allowing just 0.76 and 0.77 PPR points per opportunity. The Giants have allowed just 266 yards on 93 carries (2.86 yards per carry) and two rushing touchdowns over the last four games. However, if Parker and Wilson are forced to miss this game, that opportunity isn't going to shrink for Laird. He ran 27 pass routes last week, which was the eighth-most among running backs, and something that will provide him with a stable floor. The Giants are one of just two teams who've still yet to allow a receiving touchdown to a running back, though the 6.53 yards per target is above the league average. Laird should be considered a mid-level RB3 for this game who provides a solid floor, and that's even if Parker/Wilson play. If they sit, Laird gets another slight bump.