Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Ingram rushed nine times for 33 yards and caught 1-of-2 targets for three yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the Rams. He also lost a fumble in the first half but L.A. failed to turn the gift into points. After he was limited to only five yards on his first three carries, he was held to just four touches in the final two quarters. Ingram has not scored since his two-touchdown performance in his first game back from suspension, but has a great matchup on Sunday when the Saints travel to Cincinnati. The Bengals rank as the No. 27 defense against fantasy running backs this season so if you’re in need of a RB2, Ingram is worth a flier this week. He’s our RB26 for Week 10.
Week 9 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Mark Ingram rushed 13 times for 63 yards and caught three passes for 29 yards in the Saints’ Week 8 win over the Vikings. Ingram was out-touched by backfield mate Alvin Kamara but New Orleans leaned on him in the second half while trying to run clock. Kamara scored twice and received more red-zone work than Ingram but the latter remains a RB2. Ranked as our RB15 for Week 9, Ingram is worth a start in Sunday’s potential shootout between the Saints and Rams, which currently has an over/under of 59.5.
Week 8 at Minnesota Vikings
Mark Ingram rushed 12 times for 32 yards while also catching two passes for 10 additional yards in the Saints’ win over the Ravens. He was out-touched by Alvin Kamara 18-9 but both backs received goal-line carries (Kamara scored once on his opportunities while Ingram couldn’t punch it in from the six and five-yard lines). While Kamara remains the Saints’ No. 1 back, Ingram will continue to receive opportunities. He ranks as our RB21 for Week 8 and while he’s a touchdown-dependent player, he’s a serviceable RB2.
Week 7 at Baltimore Ravens
Mark Ingram rushed 16 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints’ Week 5 win over the Redskins. It was Ingram’s debut following a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He drew the start and even out-touched Alvin Kamara 18-9 while also catching two passes for 20 yards on three targets. While Kamara owners likely cringed at Ingram receiving the majority of touches, it made sense for Sean Payton to give Kamara extra rest with Ingram sitting for the past month. There are enough touches for both Ingram and Kamara in this offense.
The Saints travel to Baltimore on Sunday and despite the Ravens ranking No.1 against fantasy running backs this season, Ingram is our RB16 for Week 7. View him as a RB2 this weekend.
Week 5 vs. Washington Redskins
Mark Ingram will return from his four-game suspension on Monday night when the Saints host the Redskins. Sean Payton noted that he’ll have to figure out the right balance between Ingram and Alvin Kamara but there’s more than enough touches in this offense for both running backs to be fantasy relevant. In fact, we have Ingram ranked as our RB19 for Week 5, so if you stashed Ingram on your bench, feel free to play him as a RB2 this week.
Fantasy Upside
Mark Ingram is coming off his best season since entering the league, setting career-highs in both rushing yards (1,124) and touchdowns (12). Even with Alvin Kamara earning a major role in Sean Payton's offense, Ingram finished as fantasy's RB6, which was the highest ranking of his career. Entering a contract year, Ingram hopes to parlay a big season into a big payday next offseason.
Fantasy Downside
The NFL suspended Ingram four games for violating the league's PED policy. He won't be eligible until Week 5 and then the Saints have a bye in Week 6. He has battled the injury bug at times during his career and with Kamara carving out a significant role in Payton's offense, it's not a reach to envision 2018 turning into a lost year for Ingram. The Saints also added Shane Vereen this offseason so it's plausible he earns a bigger role with Ingram suspended the first four weeks.
2018 Bottom Line
If the Saints' offensive line is healthier than it was a year ago, the run game will be even more dangerous than it was in 2017. The problem for Ingram isn't New Orleans' system or even the presence of Kamara, it's the fact that he's in a contract year and he's suspended for the first four games of the season. What will his role be when he returns? Will Payton give someone else Ingram's touches with Ingram likely gone in a year? Ranked as our No. 23 RB, perhaps Ingram will reward owners who take a risk on him despite his suspension. That said, there appears to be more downside than upside to Ingram heading into the 2018 season.
Divisional Round at Minnesota Vikings
Mark Ingram rushed 9 times for 22 yards and caught 1 pass for 13 yards in the Saints' Wild Card victory over the Panthers. Carolina shut down New Orleans' running game and dared Drew Brees to beat them. Unfortunately for the Panthers, that's exactly what Brees did, as he carved up Carolina's secondary. And unfortunately for Ingram owners, fullback Zach Line vultured a touchdown on a goal-line opportunity in the second quarter.
Ingram and the Saints will head to Minnesota in the Divisional Round to take on a Vikings defense ranked third against fantasy running backs this season. Ranked as our No. 6 RB, consider Ingram as an RB2 if you're playing DFS this week. Both he and Alvin Kamara should rebound despite the tough matchup.
Wild Card Round vs. Carolina Panthers
Mark Ingram rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries while also catching 4-of-4 passes for 19 yards in the Saints’ Week 17 loss to the Bucs. It was a disappointing afternoon for New Orleans, which managed just 3.5 yards per carry against a Tampa Bay defense that didn’t mail it in. Ingram will draw another tough test on Sunday when the Saints host the Panthers in the Wild Card round. Carolina ranks as fantasy’s No. 4 defense against running backs but despite the tough matchup, Ingram has RB2 appeal. He ranks as our No. 5 RB for Wild Card weekend.
Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mark Ingram rushed 13 times for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ Week 16 win over the Falcons. Atlanta’s defense is playing its best football of the season and did a decent job against both of the Saints’ running backs in Week 9. That said, they cracked late, as Ingram broke out for a 26-yard rushing touchdown to essentially put the game away. He also caught 3 passes for 22 yards.
The Saints need to beat the Bucs to win the NFC South so they can’t rest their starters. Ingram is our No. 2 ranked RB for Week 17 in a great matchup against a Tampa Bay defense ranked 22nd against fantasy running backs. Start him.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Mark Ingram rushed 12 times for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Saints' Week 15 win over the Jets, while also adding 5 catches for 77 yards. Ingram started the day with a 54-yard gain on a screen pass and by the time the first quarter was over, he had 80 yards on four catches and a short rushing touchdown as well. New Orleans' offense struggled in the second half but the damage had already been done for Ingram owners.
The Saints will host the Falcons on Sunday, and while Atlanta has the No. 1 fantasy defense against running backs this season, Ingram is a must-start. Ranked as our No. 8 RB for Week 16, view Ingram as an RB1 for Sunday in the Saints' crucial NFC South matchup with their biggest rivals.
