Fantasy Football Player Notes

It was incredibly sad to hear about White's personal tragedy last week, so I want to send nothing but positive thoughts to him and his family. He is expected to be back with the team for this game, so we'll move forward assuming he does. Michel has picked up right where he left off last year, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and not catching a single pass. It's brutal, too, as Cam Newton's presence should be opening holes up for him. It's worth noting that he's faced 8-plus man defensive fronts on 41.2 percent of his carries, which is the fourth-highest mark in the league. According to NFL's NextGenStats, he's getting almost exactly what he's been expected to, though that doesn't soak up fantasy owners' tears. In a game they're six-point favorites against a team that has allowed 4.66 yards per carry and four rushing touchdowns on just 41 carries, he must be under consideration as a mid-to-low-end RB3 who comes with touchdown upside. Guys, Newton isn't going to rush for two touchdowns every game. That same Raiders team that's allowed a lot of rushing totals has allowed a massive 9.83 targets to running backs, and that's something we continually saw last year, as they allowed the fourth-most fantasy points through the air to running backs. We don't know how much White will be involved, so it's a tough week to rank him, but given the matchup, he should offer high-end RB4 value in PPR formats. Burkhead has been even less efficient than Michel and will concede the passing down work to White, so he's droppable.

It was incredibly sad to hear about White's personal tragedy last week, so I want to send nothing but positive thoughts to him and his family. He is expected to be back with the team for this game, so we'll move forward assuming he does. Michel has picked up right where he left off last year, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and not catching a single pass. It's brutal, too, as Cam Newton's presence should be opening holes up for him. It's worth noting that he's faced 8-plus man defensive fronts on 41.2 percent of his carries, which is the fourth-highest mark in the league. According to NFL's NextGenStats, he's getting almost exactly what he's been expected to, though that doesn't soak up fantasy owners' tears. In a game they're six-point favorites against a team that has allowed 4.66 yards per carry and four rushing touchdowns on just 41 carries, he must be under consideration as a mid-to-low-end RB3 who comes with touchdown upside. Guys, Newton isn't going to rush for two touchdowns every game. That same Raiders team that's allowed a lot of rushing totals has allowed a massive 9.83 targets to running backs, and that's something we continually saw last year, as they allowed the fourth-most fantasy points through the air to running backs. We don't know how much White will be involved, so it's a tough week to rank him, but given the matchup, he should offer high-end RB4 value in PPR formats. Burkhead has been even less efficient than Michel and will concede the passing down work to White, so he's droppable.