Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Devonta Freeman found the end zone last week against the Bengals, but he otherwise struggled along with most of the Ravens offense. He was held to just 20 yards on six carries and a pair of receptions. More concerning, he continued to split time with Latavius Murray, limiting his value for the final two games of the season.
This week, Freeman faces a Rams defense that ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing running backs. While it’s a nice enough matchup on paper, the shared time in the backfield with Murray is concerning enough to make Freeman a fringe fantasy option. Consider him a deep-league RB3 at best.
Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
Devonta Freeman ended up in running back murk last week against the Packers, with just six carries and one catch for 24 yards. He was out-touched and out-produced by Latavius Murray, who was also no more than a modest producer.
This week, Freeman faces a Bengals defense that ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing running backs. If he can get back to a reasonably full workload, he has low-end RB2 upside, but coming off of a timeshare, fantasy managers might be bets off ignoring the Baltimore backfield entirely.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers
Devonta Freeman had 72 yards on 13 carries and five receptions last week against the Browns. His workload has been solid for weeks now, with six straight games of double-digit carries. Expect that to continue, giving him a nice floor, week-to-week, to close out the season.
This week, Freeman faces a Packers defense that ranks 10th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Expect another modest output with a decent shot at a touchdown, and we have him ranked as a low-end RB2 option. Freeman may not win your week for you, but if you’re struggling at the RB2 spot, he probably won’t lose the week for you either.
Week 14 at Cleveland Browns
Devonta Freeman had a nice day against the Steelers last week, despite the loss, gaining a total of 97 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and five receptions. He was targeted eight times and was the clear lead back in the offense. Freeman has been solid enough for Baltimore this season, and he now has double-digit touches in five straight games, despite the return of Latavius Murray to the lineup.
This week, Freeman faces a Browns defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Freeman’s workload gives him a solid floor to work with, and we have him ranked as a low-end RB2 option given the workload and reasonable matchup.
Week 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Devonta Freeman didn’t do much last week against the Browns in an ugly offensive game, but the workload was there. Even though he had just 60 total yards, he carried the ball 16 times and caught his only target. Freeman has double-digit touches in each of his past four games, and two touchdowns in that span. He also has retained the lead-back role despite the return of Latavius Murray from injury.
This week, Freeman faces a Steelers defense that ranks 23rd in aFPA to opposing running backs. In a nice matchup with a seemingly steady workload, we have Freeman ranked as a fringe RB2 option. He’ll always have limited upside due to Lamar Jackson’s presence as a runner in the red zone, but all signs point to reasonable production in deeper leagues.
Week 12 vs. Cleveland Browns
Devonta Freeman was held to 49 yards on 16 carries last week against the Bears, but he found the end zone and added six catches for 31 yards in the passing game. Freeman has had at least 13 touches in each of his past three games and has found the end zone in four of his last five. It was good to see him still get 22 touches, despite the return of Latavius Murray from injury.
This week, Freeman faces a Browns defense that ranks 21st in aFPA to opposing running backs. It’s been grind-it-out games or blowout victories against Cleveland lately, either of which should be good for Freeman. We have him ranked as a fringe RB2 or solid flex option this week.
Week 11 at Chicago Bears
Devonta Freeman had 10 carries and three receptions for a total of 58 yards last week against the Dolphins. Miami shut down the Ravens offense for much of the game, and Freeman struggled to get anything going on his touches. Freeman has been the closest thing to a lead back in Baltimore with Latavius Murray sidelined, but that still hasn’t led to a ton of production, outside of finding the end zone in each of the three previous games. Still, his workload when starting gives him a decent floor to work with, making him fantasy relevant in deeper leagues. Even against a tough Chicago defense that ranks eighth in aFPA to opposing running backs, he has low-end RB2 potential if Murray remains sidelined. If Murray is active, he slides into low-end PPR flex territory. Keep an eye on the injury report.
Week 10 at Miami Dolphins
Devonta Freeman had 13 carries and a pair of receptions for a total of 83 yards and a touchdown last week against the Vikings. Freeman has a part-time role for the Ravens, but he’s scored a touchdown in three straight games and seems to be the most active running back in the passing game with three targets per game over his last four. Freeman is risky because he’s in a committee, especially if Latavius Murray returns to action this week after missing the last two contests. But if you’re desperate, Freeman has some upside in deeper leagues as a low-end flex or RB3 option. If Murray can’t go, he could flirt with RB2 numbers, especially in a nice matchup against the Dolphins, who rank 20th in aFPA to opposing running backs.
Week 9 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Devonta Freeman had four carries for 14 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals before the bye last week. He also added 25 yards on three receptions. Freeman is an interesting desperation starter – especially in PPR formats – but he’s too risky to have in lineups while Latavius Murray is healthy. Murray and Lamar Jackson are more likely to get red zone touches, and Freeman’s snap count will vary from week to week. Sit him.
Update: With Murray likely out today, Freeman becomes an interesting RB3 or flex option for desperate fantasy managers.
Week 7 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Devonta Freeman looked pretty sharp in a time-share last week, gaining 53 yards and scoring a touchdown on nine carries. He also was targeted twice, but didn’t record a reception. He’s part of a group of running backs vying for touches, but has a chance at double-digit touches against the Bengals this week if Latavius Murray misses time – as expected – after leaving early last week. Freeman is probably worth adding in deeper leagues, but is too risky to start in the vast majority of formats. However, if Murray is out and you have bye week issues, Freeman might be worth a gamble against the Bengals.
Update: With Murray officially out, Freeman has a chance at decent production and is worth considering as a bye-week filler.
