Week 2 at Oakland Raiders
LeSean McCoy only played 20 out of 68 snaps in Week 1, but he was active in those snaps, carrying the ball 10 times for 81 yards and catching one pass for 12 yards. If he keeps out-performing Damien Williams on the ground, it wouldn't be a surprise to see McCoy keep getting carries. The Chiefs gave McCoy a decent contract, and it seems obvious they plan on using him. We like him as a solid RB3 option in a favorable matchup against the Raiders. Oakland allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing backs in 2018.
Week 1 at Jacksonville Jaguars
LeSean McCoy joins his former coach Andy Reid in Kansas City where he'll be backing up Damien Williams. Don't expect McCoy to be putting up the numbers he did with Reid in Philadelphia, though. He finished with a career-worst 514 yards last season, while averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. There's a reason why he didn't make Buffalo's roster.
Still, though, Williams is unproven and McCoy is a veteran who has a relationship with the coach. He won't put up eye-popping numbers, but he should be involved in the offense. He doesn't get a great Week 1 matchup against the Jaguars, but he can be viewed as a lower-end RB3 choice.
Fantasy Upside
The good news is LeSean McCoy is still the starting running back for Buffalo and he also has a storied career in the league. So, there is hope he will bounce back from a rough 2018 season. McCoy did have back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons for the Bills in 2016 and 2017 and he is healthy going into this season.
Fantasy Downside
McCoy only ran the ball 161 times for 514 yards which is 3.2 yard per carry. This led to career lows for both yards and yards per carry. He only carried the ball 151 times his rookie season. This wasn’t all on McCoy as the Buffalo offense and especially the offensive line were horrible. The Bills also brought in veteran Frank Gore in case McCoy was part of the problem.
2019 Bottom Line
In the end, it’s hard to believe the Bills offense will improve dramatically although it can’t be much worse. Taking McCoy is a crapshoot. He could be on the downside of his career and won’t be a factor. Or he could bounce back. His fantasy standing has him as depth right now. He is being taken in the ninth or tenth round which might be high. There are better options out there.
Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins
LeSean McCoy was determined to finish the season and he will get the start at home against Miami. McCoy only has eight carries the past three games and was benched as the starter last week for disciplinary reasons. His future in Buffalo might be in doubt so the Bills are likely to let him get his carries in the season finale.
The matchup is a good one as Miami is ranked 30th in aFPA to running backs. Despite the potential for a big day, Buffalo will also push touches to rookie Keith Ford which limits McCoy's impact. Start McCoy for Week 17 but as an RB3 or Flex.
Week 16 at New England Patriots
LeSean McCoy missed last week's game against the Lions but proclaimed himself good to go against New England. The veteran, who is battling a bad hamstring, could have easily sat out the rest of the season, but he decided he wants to finish out the campaign which has been disappointing so far.
McCoy will face the Patriots who are 20th in aFPA to running backs. He only rushed for 13 yards in the first meeting with New England but did have a season-high six receptions for 82 yards. McCoy might not get 20 touches, but he should produce enough to start as an RB3 or flex for Week 16.
Week 14 vs. New York Jets
LeSean McCoy's weekly numbers remain fairly low although he still gets a considerable amount of touches. Last week, he carried the ball 15 times for 52 yards and caught four passes for 12 yards. Shady is averaging only 43.5 rushing yards per game in 2018, his lowest average since his rookie season.
McCoy will face division rival New York this weekend. In the first meeting with the Jets, McCoy had his only 100+ rushing yard game of the season and season-high 27 touches. In seven career games against the Jets, McCoy has had four 100+ rushing yard games. It is a favorable matchup against New York who is 23rd in aFPA to running backs. Start him as a high-end RB3 or flex for Week 14.
Week 13 at Miami Dolphins
LeSean McCoy's overall numbers dipped slightly after the bye week as he recorded only 18 touches for a total of 53 yards and zero touchdowns. Shady has been mostly down this season as he is averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per carry and has only two touchdowns in 2018.
McCoy has a good matchup this week against the Dolphins who are 31st in aFPA to running backs. He has had mixed results as a Bill versus Miami. In six career starts, he has two 100+ rushing yard games but in the three other games, he has rushed for 16 yards or less. We expect McCoy to get touches in this game with the rookie QB starting again. The hope is 20+ and that is enough to start him as a low-end RB2 for Week 13.
Week 12 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
LeSean McCoy recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season two weeks ago before the bye week against the Jets. The Bills running game has not been very good so McCoy has been limited in his performance in 2018. The two touchdowns he scored against New York were his first two of the season.
McCoy will face the Jaguars who are ranked second in aFPA to running backs. This means it will be tough for him to have a repeat performance in Week 12. He should still get touches, but it only rates him an RB3 and flex.
Week 10 at New York Jets
LeSean McCoy has 22 carries for 23 yards over the past two games. No, that's not a typo. Shady has fallen victim to a pathetic Buffalo offense. They really can't generate anything with the quarterback situation.
McCoy will face the Jets who are 18th in aFPA to running backs. It's hard to be confident that he will have much success. But he still will get touches and that's enough to rank him as a high-end RB3 or flex. Don't quite give up on him yet.
Week 9 vs. Chicago Bears
LeSean McCoy had 12 carries for 13 yards but the day wasn't a total disaster for the Bills running back. He did catch six passes for 82 yards. That's impressive considering how bad Buffalo's offense is. It probably won't get much better with Nathan Peterman back at quarterback.
McCoy will face a Bears defense that is ranked third in aFPA to running backs. With the lethargic Bills offense and a tough matchup, McCoy won't rank high, but he still has value as he will get touches similar to last week. Start him as a high-end RB3 or flex for Week 9.
