Week 17 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Jacquizz Rodgers scored a touchdown while finishing with 55 receiving yards on seven receptions. We've seen this a few times from Rodgers this season, but never with any consistency. He's not worth fantasy consideration.
Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers
Jacquizz Rodgers had 62 total yards last week after having a 100-yard receiving game two weeks ago. He's getting involved a little as a receiver, but not enough to be a reliable option for fantasy purposes.
Week 11 at New York Giants
Jacquizz Rodgers has been used more-and-more in the passing game and he really broke out last week by catching all eight of his targets for 102 yards. This was by far his best game of the season, so we'll have to see if Tampa uses him like this again. For now, it's best to avoid playing him in fantasy, but he is worth keeping an eye on in case he has another big game like this in the future.
Week 9 at Carolina Panthers
Jacquizz Rodgers has seen some work on passing downs this season, but it hasn't resulted in much. He had his best game of the season last week catching four passes for 25 yards. He shouldn't be considered in fantasy.
Week 13 at Green Bay Packers
Doug Martin missed Friday's practice as he's still in the concussion protocol. Missing practice this late in the week typically means he won't be able to play, so expect Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber to take over. Rodgers started in Martin's absence earlier in the year, so we expect him to get the start, but Barber has played a lot of snaps in recent games.
This is a favorable matchup as the Packers have allowed the seventh-most points to opposing backs. But with the expected timeshare, which will also include Charles Sims, it gets hard to trust these players. Rodgers is nothing more than a desperation FLEX play.
Week 4 vs. New York Giants
Jacquizz Rodgers gets his final start of the season without Doug Martin as the veteran back will return from suspension next week. He played fine in Week 2, but struggled in Week 3, rushing just 5 times for 15 yards. The Bucs pretty much abandoned the running game as they only had 9 attempts as a team.
We expect Rodgers to get more involved this week against the Giants. This will be a favorable matchup as New York has allowed over 100 rushing yards to backs in every game this season. Rodgers carries a slight risk due to his poor game last week, but he should be viewed as a strong RB2 in a good matchup.
Week 3 at Minnesota Vikings
Jacquizz Rodgers performed well last week in his first game of the season. Filling in as starter for a suspended Doug Martin, Rodgers ran 19 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. He was pulled late in the game as the Bucs put their reserves in, but the fact he got 19 carries is very promising. It's worth noting, though, that he did not have a reception or even a target.
Rodgers draws a tough matchup this week against the Vikings, which hurts his value a bit. But if he continues to get carries like he did in Week 2, then he's worth a start in fantasy. Even if he doesn't play well, the volume he gets means he should end up with some decent production. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2 play.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears
Jacquizz Rodgers is expected to get the starting role in place of the suspended Doug Martin this week. He was brought on last season and played extremely well, going over 100 yards multiple times.
He'll get a decent matchup this week against the Bears, and as long he gets the majority of the touches, he should be a good start. We like Rodgers as an RB2 play in Week 2, with his only real threat for touches coming from multi-purpose back Charles Sims.
Fantasy Upside
Jacquizz Rodgers joined the Bucs last season after Doug Martin and Charles Sims went down, and looked like he’d been there for years. He went over 100 yards in his first two starts and scored a touchdown in two of his last three. He’ll take over as the starting back for at least the first three games of the season as Martin serves his suspension. There’s a chance he can continue in that role should he play well enough.
Fantasy Downside
After the third game, it’s impossible to predict what Rodgers’ role will be. He was too good last year to not use somehow, but this is a crowded backfield in Tampa with Martin, Sims, and Rodgers. Even if he does remain the starter, touches could be limited.
2017 Bottom Line
Rodgers is worth drafting for the first three games alone. He proved last year he can put up big numbers in a starting role. After those games, he’s worth hanging on to just to see how Tampa Bay utilizes him. He may not be a long-lasting option on your fantasy team, but he should help you get off to a great start.
Week 17 vs. Carolina
Jacquizz Rodgers got a surprise start last week, and he'll be pretty much the only running back of value on the roster in Week 17. Doug Martin is suspended and Charles Sims was placed on injured reserve, leaving recently-signed practice squad players as the only backups to Rodgers.
This is actually good news for fantasy owners as Rodgers has been the only back to really find success for Tampa this season. Last week he had 63 yards and a score in his spot start, and he's had two 100-yard games in his starts.
One of those 100-yard efforts came against the Panthers, who he plays again this week. While it's not a great matchup, we like Rodgers as an RB1 this week as he should get plenty of touches.