Week 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Jalen Richard had four carries and a reception for 17 yards last week against the Jets. Richard is averaging just 3.8 touches per game this year, and his usage in the passing game has taken a huge tumble. He has only 16 targets all season, including just one last week, even with Josh Jacobs out of the lineup. He should stay on waivers until we see him become a little more active in the offense.
Week 13 at New York Jets
Jalen Richard hasn’t done much all season. He has some upside against a vulnerable Jets defense this week with Josh Jacobs likely out, particularly in PPR formats, but Devontae Booker is the most likely player to benefit from the absence of Jacobs, and most fantasy owners can leave Richard on waivers. We have him ranked as a very low-end RB3 option in PPR formats.
Week 17 at Denver Broncos
In Week 16 against the Chargers, Washington out-snapped Jalen Richard 40 to 24 and out-touched Richard 25 to 9. Richard finished with five rushing attempts for 11 yards, four receptions on four targets for 18 yards, and was the half PPR RB45.
If Jacobs sits, DeAndre Washington is the running back to start in Oakland’s backfield. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as a low-end half PPR RB4.
Week 16 at Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Jacobs has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Jacobs was also out in Week 14, so there is a one-game sample of how Gruden ran the offense without Jacobs. It is worth mentioning one game is an extremely small sample and simply applying the exact same snap and touch split from Week 14 to this matchup against the Chargers would be a mistake. However, it can give us a general guideline to help improve our decision-making process.
In Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, Washington out-snapped Jalen Richard 40 to 24 and out-touched Richard 20 to 9. Richard finished with seven rushing attempts for 28 scoreless yards, and two receptions on three targets for 18 yards.
Points for the Raiders might be limited because they are currently implied for 19.25 points. The Chargers are the thirteenth worst defense against running backs, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as a half PPR RB4. Washington appears to be the running back to start for the Raiders.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Jacobs was ruled out last week and Jalen Richard was not the primary beneficiary. DeAndre Washington out-snapped Richard 40 to 24 and out-touched him 20 to 9. Washington finished with seven rushing attempts for 28 scoreless yards, two receptions on three targets for 18 yards. Richard is only in play if Jacobs is ruled out for the second week in a row. However, Washington looks like the Oakland running back to start if Jacobs is out. Jacobs is tentatively on track to play but it isn’t a certainty at this point.
Week 14 vs. Tennessee Titans
On Wednesday, Josh Jacobs said he has been playing with a shoulder fracture since Week 7. Richard is only worth considering if Jacobs is ruled out. The Titans are the 19th defense against running backs, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as the half PPR RB55 but this would change if Jacobs is ruled out. If Jacobs misses time, the backfield would likely be a running back by committee with Washington involved on early downs and Richard more involved in the passing game.
Week 13 at Kansas City Chiefs
In Week 12, Richard played 39% of the snaps. He had two carries for four yards and six receptions on seven targets for 47 yards. Richard is only worth considering if Jacobs misses time. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as the half PPR RB59 and should not be in starting lineups.
Week 12 at New York Jets
In Week 11, Richard played 23% of the snaps. He had two carries for zero yards and one reception for seven yards. Richard is only worth considering if Jacobs misses time. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as the half PPR RB50 and should not be in starting lineups.
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In Week 10, Richard played 38% of the snaps. He had two carries for zero yards and four receptions for 43 yards. Richard is only worth considering if Jacobs misses time. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as the half PPR RB43 and should not be in starting lineups.
Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
In Week 9, Richard played 24 of 72 snaps (33%). He had two carries for 12 yards and three receptions for 56 yards. Richard is only worth consideration if Jacobs misses time. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Richard ranked as the half PPR RB51 and should not be in starting lineups.
