Week 9 at Las Vegas Raiders
Matt Breida had five carries and a reception for a total of 17 yards last week as the Giants were down to their third-string quarterback and leaned heavily on the run game. It’s telling that he still had only six touches in a game where the team only attempted 14 passes. Even in a great matchup against the Raiders, Breida is hard to trust with a healthy Saquon Barkley ahead of him on the depth chart. Keep him on the bench this week, and he’s droppable in most leagues.
Week 5 at Miami Dolphins
Matt Breida should start again this week with Saquon Barkley set to miss another week with an ankle injury. Breida has filled in admirably for Barkley, but he's still not putting up RB2 numbers. He's a desperation RB3 option in deeper leagues, but in most leagues, he can be left on waivers.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Breida had just four carries last week in a lopsided loss to the 49ers, but he managed to score a touchdown on an eight-yard bull rush, and added three receptions for some PPR padding. Breida split time with Gary Brightwell, who also had four carries and three targets, but the team spent much of the game in negative game script, so it’s hard to take too much from it.
This week, Breida faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 25th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Breida should be able to find some space, but if the Giants get down early again, his touches could be limited. He also seemed to split time with Gary Brightwell, so fantasy managers should be cautious about assuming a full workload for the speedy veteran. We have him ranked outside starter territory this week, but I’m okay using him as a low-end RB3 option with upside in leagues that start three running backs.
Week 3 at San Francisco 49ers
We assume Matt Breida will be the beneficiary of the Saquon Barkley ankle injury on Thursday night against the 49ers. While I see an uptick in touches for the journeyman speedster, I don’t think he’s a sure bet for production. We saw Kyren Williams have a nice fantasy outing against this 49ers defense, but San Francisco is tough and Breida will likely will share the load with some else - probably Gary Brightwell - limiting his overall upside. Breida might want to stick it to his old team and he’s always had playmaking ability, but it’s far too risky to trust him in the vast majority of leagues. He should be a viewed as a Hail Mary RB3 option in most fantasy leagues.
Week 13 vs. New England
With Zach Moss, Matt Breida will move into the backup role on the Buffalo depth chart. The veteran running back had 11 touches for 55 yards and touchdowns last week and since the Bills split time with their backs, he has fantasy value this week.
Breida faces New England who is ranked 13th in aFPA to running backs. Expect a similar workload for him on Monday night. He is a nice waiver wire pickup this week if you need an RB3 or flex.
Week 11 vs. Indianapolis
Matt Breida is getting on the field and when he is on the field, he is getting some touches. The veteran had six touches for 50 yards and a touchdown which made him the best fantasy running back on the roster from Week 10. We don't think this continues, but it does affect Zack Moss and Devin Singletary. For now, Breida remains on the waiver wire.
Week 10 at New York Jets
Matt Breida hasn't touched the ball Since Week 1, but with Zach Moss probably out, he moves into the backup role behind Devin Singletary. That gives him some fantasy value but not enough to roster him. Five touches wouldn't be a surprise but he is not even worth a waiver wire pickup for Week 10.
Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
UPDATE: Matt Breida was placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list and will not play this week.
Matt Breida was once again out-shined by a different Miami back last week despite another injury to the backfield. As fate would have it, that back who shined last week, DeAndre Washington, is also hurt. The Dolphins have Myles Gaskin eligible to return from IR, Washington listed as DNP this week, and Salvon Ahmed limited. Breida would have some flex appeal if Gaskin, Washington and Ahmed are all out. Otherwise, he'll likely play backup duty to one, if not all of them.
Week 12 at New York Jets
UPDATE: Salvon Ahmed has officially been ruled out. This leaves Matt Breida, Patrick Laird and potentially DeAndre Washington as a three-headed monster of nothing. Even though Breida is in position for touches, it's not promising when Miami hasn't been utilizing him all season long. Breida should be viewed as a desperation flex play.
Matt Breida may have some relevance this week if a few things go his way. Myles Gaskin is eligible to return from IR, but will likely miss Week 12. Salvon Ahmed has also missed some practices with a shoulder injury. If both Gaskin and Ahmed are out, then Breida will have some flex appeal in a favorable matchup against the Jets (No. 23 aFPA). However, if either Gaskin or Ahmed plays, then Breida offers little to no fantasy appeal.
Week 11 at Denver Broncos
Matt Breida likely makes his return to the Dolphins' lineup this week, but his role is somewhat unclear. Salvon Ahmed shined in Breida's absence, seeing 21 carries last week. Breida is the more well-known name, but the Dolphins have used him sparingly throughout the season (5.5 average touches per game). However, things are different now with Myles Gaskin and Jordan Howard out of the picture. Logic tells us Ahmed should get more opportunity in Week 11, but it's entirely possible the Dolphins lean on Breida now that he's back in the lineup. Still, Breida isn't much more than a desperation flex play in Week 11.
