Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Javorius Allen struggled against the Steelers before the bye last week, totaling only 14 yards from scrimmage on one carry and five receptions. Getting that type of work in the passing game is encouraging, but not if it doesn’t yield much production, and Allen hasn’t eclipsed 30 total yards in any of his last four games. Allen scored four touchdowns in his first three outings this season, but only one since. He’s not consistent enough to be trusted, and the arrival of Ty Montgomery could potentially disrupt his third-down work. He has some upside in a great matchup, but fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Javorius Allen had a touchdown last week against the Panthers, but he only gained 18 yards on three receptions. While he was targeted five times in the passing game, he failed to record a single carry, with Gus Edwards getting a pair of change-of-pace carries out of the backfield. Additionally, the trade for Ty Montgomery at the deadline doesn’t bode well for Allen, who has been the primary receiving back for much of the season. Stay away from Allen this week.
Week 8 at Carolina Panthers
After averaging double-digit touches over the first five games of the season, Javorius Allen has only 10 combined touches over his past two games. He also hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3 against Denver. The workload is trending down for the versatile former Trojan, and against a Panthers defense that allows the seventh-least fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, it’s hard to recommend starting him in most leagues.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints
Javorius Allen only had four touches for 19 yards last week, including three receptions, as the Ravens abandoned the passing game early and fed their trio of running backs a combined 30 times on the ground. Allen should get more work this week against the Saints, as the New Orleans offense will force the Ravens to throw the ball a little more than the Titans did, but he’s still too risky to count on in most leagues. He has some deep, deep upside in PPR formats since he plays passing downs, but most likely should remain on the bench.
Week 6 at Tennessee Titans
Javorius Allen is making the most of his timeshare opportunities by catching the ball out of the backfield. He had eight carries for 34 yards against the Browns last week, but added 44 yards on six receptions. While he may steal a touchdown here and there, 14 touches, including six catches seems like par for the course for the veteran. This makes him a high-floor guy in PPR leagues with limited upside.
This week, he’ll face a Titans defense that has allowed the fifth-least fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this year. That makes it hard to trust him in most formats, although he may be a bye-week filler for some owners in PPR formats. Still, if there are other options available, Allen should stay on the bench.
Week 5 at Cleveland Browns
Javorius Allen’s streak of touchdowns ended last week, as he was shut out of the end zone for the first time this year against the Steelers. Allen is averaging 10.25 touches per game as a change-of-pace option behind Alex Collins on the depth chart. Expect the committee approach to continue, with Allen being more active in the passing game than Collins.
This week, Allen has some upside against the Browns, who have given up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs so far this year. Still, he’s risky while sharing work with Alex Collins, and it seems unlikely that the Browns will force the Ravens to throw the ball all game, which might limit Allen’s touches. He’s a RB3 option at best in PPR formats, and should probably be on the bench in standard leagues.
Week 4 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Javorius Allen has four touchdowns through three games, including two last week against the Broncos. While that kind of pace will be difficult to sustain over the course of the season, it’s encouraging to see Allen getting short-yardage work. It seems fluky, however, as he’s only touching the ball an average of 9.7 times per game, with nearly half of that production coming in the passing game.
Allen has some upside this week against the Steelers, particularly in PPR formats. Pittsburgh has shown an ability to put up points, which may keep the Ravens throwing the ball. If that’s the case, Allen could get additional snaps and gobble up targets on check-downs. He’s a risky option, but worth considering in deep, PPR formats.
Week 3 vs. Denver Broncos
Javorius Allen scored his second touchdown in as many weeks against the Bengals last week on a surprising short-yardage carry. Allen is typically used on passing downs—as evidenced by his seven targets last week—making it surprising to see him getting goal-line work over the physical Alex Collins. Allen only gained eight yards on six carries, so it doesn’t seem like he’s going to take the lead back job away from Collins anytime soon. However, he’ll continue to get change-of-pace work.
Against the Broncos this week, he’s still too risky from a workload perspective to bank on. The touchdowns won’t continue at this pace, so his value is limited to being a low-end flex option in deep PPR leagues.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
Javorius Allen had a nice complementary game last week against the Bills. He had nine touches, including five receptions, for a total of 32 yards and a touchdown. Nine touches sounds about right for fantasy owners to expect from Allen in most weeks. His activity in the passing game makes him an interesting deep option in PPR formats. However, until we see a consistent workload from him, it’ll be hard to count on a touchdown each week in most leagues.
The Bengals held the Colts to limited rushing production last week and they should be able to put up more of a fight against the Ravens than the Bills did in Week 1, making it unlikely Allen puts up enough numbers to justify having him in your lineup.
Week 1 vs. Buffalo Bills
Javorius Allen should fill a complementary role behind Alex Collins this season and could be in line to put up modest PPR points. He’s caught at least 45 balls in two of the last three seasons and should continue to get work on third downs.
This week, Allen faces a Bills defense that gave up 86 receptions to the running back position last season, but his lack of consistent usage makes him too risky to count on in anything other than super-deep PPR league formats. Allen is a low-priority waiver add at this point.
