Week 9 at Buffalo Bills
Wendell Smallwood has played more in recent weeks with Chris Thompson sidelined, but he hasn't done a lot. He had three touches last week for a total of 20 yards. He hasn't taken over Thompson's pass-catching role, and offers very little for fantasy. You can avoid him.
Week 8 at Minnesota Vikings
Wendell Smallwood had an increased role last week with Chris Thompson inactive, but he had a limited role. He carried the ball five times for 23 yards and had one target, which he caught for an 18-yard gain. He won't be a good play this week in a tough matchup against Minnesota.
Week 7 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Wendell Smallwood could get an increase in playing time this week. Adrian Peterson is dealing with a quad injury and Chris Thompson missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a toe injury. Still, Smallwood is third on the depth chart for a reason and he gets a brutal matchup against the 49ers who are allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs. He'd be an extremely risky start in fantasy this week.
Week 19 at New Orleans Saints
Just how charmed the Nick Foles-led Eagles are will be tested this week, as the Super Bowl MVP and winner of four consecutive games travels to New Orleans where Philadelphia lost by 41 in Week 11. The Birds have the third lowest implied team total this week at 21.75 points. The Saints rank top five in aFPA to RBs. Their tough defensive front makes every Eagles' back in their RBBC a low-floor risk.
Week 17 at Washington Redskins
The Eagles offensive starters will be full-go in Week 17, as Philadelphia hopes to sneak back into the playoffs with a win and Vikings loss. With Nick Foles at the helm, this offense has posted back-to-back weeks of 30 points or more. Vegas has set a lower implied total for Philly this week at 24, despite the Eagles being installed as 6.5-point favorites. Washington may be only ranked 21st in aFPA to RBs, but this backfield is a full-blown committee. In back-to-back weeks, three running backs in this offense have seen at least five touches.
Week 16 vs. Houston Texans
Jolly Ol' St. Nick Foles brought presents yet again to Philadelphia fans last week, and with playoff hopes still alive, Foles may come down the chimney yet again. Against Houston, Philly has an implied team total of 23.75 points, a little better than average for the Week 16 slate. The Texans rank seventh in aFPA to RBs, foreshadowing tough sledding for Eagles RBs this week. Smallwood may have scored two touchdowns last week, but in this tough match-up, fade Smallwood in Week 16. He's still not the primary ball carrier in a full RBBC.
Week 13 vs. Washington Redskins
The Philadelphia - Washington game has a low over/under of just 45 points. The Eagles are home favorites against a backup quarterback, which could lead to more rushing volume than usual this week. Washington is top 10 in aFPA to RBs, but volume should keep Adams among the RB2s this week after assuming bell cow status with 22 touches last week. Corey Clement was the only other Eagles RB to touch the ball with seven touches, which means Adams is the only Philly back at this point worth starting.
Week 12 vs. New York Giants
The Eagles offense was embarrassed in the Superdome last week, but there are indications of a bounce back this week. Philadelphia has an above average implied team total of 26 points. And it looks like Josh Adams may have ascended to the top of the depth chart. Despite extremely negative game script in New Orleans, he had 10 touches, including six targets, compared to just four touches for Corey Clement and one touch for Wendell Smallwood. Clement and Smallwood are not starting considerations at this point.
Week 11 at New Orleans Saints
The Eagles are riding the struggle bus lately, but a stop at Superdome station is always a good place to cure what ails in fantasy. A suspected shootout Sunday has the Eagles with an implied team total of more than 23 points, despite being eight-point underdogs. However, the three-man RBBC of Josh Adams, Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement leaves us not wanting to start any of them. At this point, you're just grasping at straws trying to figure out if one will score a touchdown on any given week, and if so, which one it will be. Good luck, especially against a Saints defense that ranks top five in aFPA to RBs.
Week 10 at Oakland Raiders
The Eagles have an implied team total of 25.25 points this week- respectable, but not elite. Philadelphia is a touchdown favorite at home, which should lead to positive game script. With Darren Sproles re-aggravating his hamstring in practice this week, this will remain a three-man RBBC between Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement and Josh Adams. Here's how those touches have played out in the last three weeks working backward: Smallwood 10, 11, 19; Clement 5, 10, 14; Adams 10, 4, 0. None of these RBs are an attractive Week 10 play due to the split in volume.
