Week 12 vs. Los Angeles
Mark Ingram rushed seven times for 28 yards while catching three passes for 47 additional yards before being forced from the Saints' Week 11 loss to the Panthers due to a concussion. He entered the league's concussion protocol and passed, then was able to practice this week ahead of the Saints' Week 12 matchup with the Rams. Los Angeles owns the No. 3 defense against fantasy running backs this season so even if Ingram sees his full workload coming off the concussion, he's not a recommended play this week. He ranks as our RB29 for Week 12 and should be viewed as a RB3.
Week 11 at Carolina
Mark Ingram rushed 11 times for 50 yards in the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Broncos. He also added two catches for 13 yards while starting over Tim Hightower. The two backs remained in a timeshare for the second consecutive week, although Ingram out-touched Hightower 13-10 and out-gained him 63-55. After he erupted for 171 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers two weeks ago, Ingram's performance versus the Broncos was disappointing for fantasy owners.
Ingram now draws a tough matchup on Thursday night when the Saints take on the Panthers, who rank as fantasy's No. 4 defense against running backs this season. Ingram ranks as our RB17 for Week 11 and should be viewed as a low-end RB2 given the matchup and his situation with Hightower.
Week 10 vs. Denver
Mark Ingram rushed 15 times for 158 yards and a touchdown while also catching both of his targets for 13 yards and another score in the Saints’ thrashing of the 49ers in Week 9. Ingram didn’t start one week after being benched due to fumbling, but once he got into the game he ran angry throughout. Both of his touchdowns came in a span of less than two minutes and his rushing score came on a 75-yard run, the longest of his career.
Even though the Saints are expected to use a timeshare moving forward, Ingram remains more productive than Tim Hightower. Ingram ranks as our RB18 for the Saints’ Week 10 matchp with the Broncos, who rank as fantasy’s No. 21 defense versus running backs. View Ingram as a RB2.
Week 9 at San Francisco
Last week was a disaster for Mark Ingram owners, as he finished with minus-9 rushing yards after getting benched for losing a fumble in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Seahawks. Tim Hightower took over as the team's No. 1 back and promptly got stuffed on five separate goal-line opportunities - opportunities that all would have went to Ingram. A day after the game, coach Sean Payton said that Hightower will have a bigger role in the offense moving forward.
Making matters worse for fantasy owners deciding what to do with Ingram, this week the Saints play a 49ers defense that ranks dead last versus fantasy running backs this season. Ingram ranks as our RB16 for Week 9, but he's a risky RB2. We would stay true to our ranking, but if you have a better option on your bench, it might be a wise decision to go in another direction. If not, roll with Ingram and hope he gets out of Payton's doghouse.
Week 8 vs. Seattle
Mark Ingram rushed 16 times for 62 yards and caught four passes for 20 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. After he was mostly contained by Kansas City in the first half, Ingram made a nice grab on a third down before catching a three-yard touchdown on a screen pass later in the drive. That said, he coughed up the football inside the Chiefs 10-yard line in the fourth quarter and wound up costing the Saints an opportunity to pull off a comeback.
On Sunday the Saints host the Seahawks, who own fantasy's No. 1 defense against running backs. Ingram ranks as our RB17 for Week 8, so view him as nothing more than a RB2.
Week 7 at Kansas City Chiefs
Mark Ingram rushed 16 times for 51 yards in the Saints Week 6 win over the Panthers, while also adding two catches for nine yards. On a day where the Saints racked up 523 yards and 41 points, it was a disappointing afternoon for Ingram owners. What had to really frustrate owners is when tight end Coby Fleener took a handoff on a fourth-and-one from the goal-line to score a touchdown, instead of the Saints giving Ingram an opportunity.
The good news is that Ingram is still receiving a ton of touches and remains a solid RB2. He ranks as our RB14 for Week 7 when the Saints travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs, who rank as fantasy's No. 20 defense versus running backs.
Week 6 vs. Carolina
Mark Ingram rushed 18 times for 57 yards and a touchdown while catching 6-of-7 targets for an additional 49 yards in the Saints’ Week 4 win over the Chargers. San Diego did a good job of keeping Ingram in check on the ground, but he was effective in the passing game and now has 10 receptions combined in his last two games. Ingram is now on pace for 1,388 total yards and eight touchdowns, which is solid production. Ranked as our RB8 for Week 6, view Ingram as a mid-range RB1 against the Panthers this Sunday. The game should be a shootout at the Superdome.
Week 4 at San Diego
Mark Ingram rushed 15 times for 77 yards, while also catching four-of-six targets for an additional 30 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' loss to the Falcons. It wasn't a bad night for Ingram considering New Orleans had to throw the ball a lot in the second half to keep pace with Matt Ryan and Co. Ingram picked up yards in chunks on several draw plays that Atlanta had no desire to stop and fantasy owners had to be pleased that he finished with just as much targets (6) as fellow back Travaris Cadet.
The Saints travel to San Diego this Sunday to take on the Chargers, who own fantasy's No. 30-ranked defense versus running backs. Ingram ranks as our RB10 for Week 4. View him as a low-end RB1.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta
Mark Ingram rushed nine times for 30 yards while catching all four of his targets for an additional 17 yards last Sunday in the Saints' loss to the Giants. Ingram is off to a quiet start, although he is averaging 4.2 yards per carry while rushing 21 times for 88 yards. The Saints haven't fully committed to their running game yet, but Ingram remains entrenched as the team's every-down back. At some point New Orleans will seek to find more balance offensively, but for now Ingram owners will just have to remain patient. Ranked as our RB9 in PPR formats for Week 3, view Ingram as a low-end RB1 versus a Falcons team that ranks 28th in terms of fantasy run defense. If Ingram has another quiet night against Atlanta in a plus-matchup, then there will be reason for concern.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Mark Ingram posted a pedestrian fantasy line in Week 1, rushing 12 times for 58 yards while catching two passes for an addition 29 yards in the Saints 35-34 loss to the Raiders. With Drew Brees throwing for 423 yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-42 passing, there was little incentive for Sean Payton to go away from his passing game, so Ingram took a backseat to Brandin Cooks and Co. What was somewhat troubling was the fact that Travaris Cadet was targeted seven times on the afternoon, compared to Ingram's two targets. If Ingram is going to remain a low-end RB1 this season, he'll need to be as involved in the passing game as he was in 2015.
Ranked as our RB11 for Week 2, view Ingram as a low-end RB1 against a Giants team that owns fantasy's 21st-ranked run defense.
