Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins
Gus Edwards was limited to nine carries and a reception against the 49ers on Monday night, but he finished with 70 yards from scrimmage and his 12th touchdown of the season. Edwards continues to get short-yardage touches and he’s found the end zone in two straight games, and in seven of his last nine.
This week, Edwards faces a tough Miami run defense that ranks second in aFPA to opposing running backs. Edwards’ propensity to find the end zone makes him a viable low-end RB2 option, but his upside is capped by his timeshare with Justice Hill and limited work in the passing game.
Week 16 at San Francisco 49ers
Gus Edwards found the end zone against the Jaguars on Sunday night. It was his 11th touchdown of the season. He also received 16 carries, his most since late-October, largely aided by a serious knee injury to the emerging Keaton Mitchell. Edwards is likely to get back to a larger workload with Mitchell out for the remainder of the season.
This week, Edwards faces a San Francisco defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing running backs. Edwards will likely continue to share time with Justice Hill - and possibly newly elevated Melvin Gordon - making him risky to trust, but the upside is there as a RB3 or low-end flex option. He’s going to be touchdown dependent, but he finds the end zone often enough to hold value.
Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Gus Edwards was held to just 15 yards on six carries against the Rams last week. He was out-touched by rookie Keaton Mitchell, who seems to be getting a larger role in the offense. Justice Hill also remains a threat for snaps, although he seems to be getting the bulk of his work in as a pass blocker. Edwards is always a threat to score a touchdown, but with the usage being so sketchy at the moment, it’s hard to recommend him as anything more than a desperate RB3 option in fantasy leagues. Look elsewhere if possible.
Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Gus Edwards was held to just 26 yards on eight carries against the Chargers before the bye last week, and he was held out of the end zone for the first time in six weeks. Edwards split time with Keaton Mitchell, whose role seems to be expanding. Mitchell led the Baltimore backfield in both snaps and touches.
This week, Edwards faces a Rams defense that ranks 17th in aFPA to opposing running backs. With a timeshare in play, Edwards should be considered a decent RB3 option, with a little more upside in standard leagues where a touchdown-only player isn’t penalized by not catching passes.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards had 70 yards on 12 carries and a pair of receptions last week in a victory over the Bengals. His snap count was under 40% as he continues to share the backfield with Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill, but he’s still getting the bulk of the touches. When he’s in the game, he tends to get the ball. Edwards also continues his assault on the end zone with a pair of touchdowns. He now has 10 touchdowns on the season, and nine over his last five.
This week, Edwards has a great matchup against the Chargers, who rank 27th in aFPA to opposing running backs. The game may not be as lopsided as we’ve seen some Baltimore games this year, which may limit Edwards’ touches. Still, his propensity to find the end zone this season makes him a viable low-end RB2 option with a high floor.
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Gus Edwards is on an incredible scoring streak. He was held to 24 yards on 11 carries last week against the Browns, but he scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game and he now has seven touchdowns in that time span. He may lose some touches to rookie speedster Keaton Mitchell, but he clearly has a defined role in this offense and is a touchdown threat every week.
This week, Edwards faces a Cincinnati defense that ranks 16th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Start Edwards as a low-end RB2 option, given his propensity to find the end zone, but limit your expectations as he’s part of a committee in Baltimore - even if he is leading it.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns
Gus Edwards only had five carries last week in a lopsided victory over the Seahawks, but he gained 52 yards and scored two touchdowns. He now has six touchdowns over his last three games and looks like the key short-yardage back in Baltimore.
Edwards has a tough matchup this week against a Cleveland defense that ranks second in aFPA to opposing running backs. Edwards is sharing time and he’s become touchdown-dependent, but in a game that should be more competitive, he’ll likely be back in double-digit touches. Against a tough defense, we have him ranked as a fringe-RB2 option this week.
Week 9 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Gus Edwards rumbled his way to three touchdowns last week in a convincing victory over the Cardinals. Edwards ended up with 94 yards on 19 carries and a pair of receptions, and it was good to see him getting the bulk of touches in a sometimes confusing Baltimore backfield.
This week, Edwards faces a Seattle defense that ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Expect the Ravens to lean on Edwards again in a decent enough matchup, and fantasy managers can expect quality RB2 numbers from the steady veteran.
Week 8 at Arizona Cardinals
Gus Edwards had 64 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and also gained 80 yards on a lone reception when he caught a short pass from Lamar Jackson and rumbled down the sideline before the DB caught up to him. He split snaps with Justice Hill 50/50, but easily led the backfield in carries.
This week, Edwards has a nice matchup against an Arizona defense that ranks 27th in aFPA to opposing running backs. The Ravens are favored in this one, which should mean more touches for Edwards. Sharing a backfield and suffering from Lamar Jackson vulturing touchdowns limits his upside, but consider Edwards a decent RB3 or low-end flex play this week against a vulnerable defense.
Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions
After losing out on snaps to Justice Hill in Week 5, Gus Edwards led the backfield with 62% of the team’s offensive snaps last week against the Titans. Part of that might have been related to game script, as the Ravens led for most of the game and Hill plays more of a passing-down role, but it was still noticeable. Both these backs are putting up middling stats at best, but Edwards is at least getting double-digit touches in nearly every game. He had 16 for 41 yards on Sunday.
This week, Edwards has a tough matchup against a Lions defense that ranks first in aFPA to opposing running backs. The Lions have a great offense, so it’s hard to imagine the Ravens controlling the ball the whole game again. As such, expect the snaps to tip back toward Hill this week, making Edwards a risky RB3 option at best.
