Week 5 at Atlanta
Alfred Morris ran 17 times for 62 yards last week. The numbers aren't impressive, but he did a bulk of that damage later in the game, chunking off big runs when the team needed them.
The Redskins running game gets more confusing by the week. Morris out-rushed Matt Jones, but one can argue Chris Thompson was the team's most productive back. Morris is probably the safest of the team's three RB options for fantasy leagues, and we rank him higher than the others this week, but he's still more of a RB3 option until there's a clearer picture of how the Skins will use all of these guys going forward. He does have a good matchup this week, as the Falcons are 32nd in allowing fantasy points to RBs.
Week 4 vs Philadelphia
Alfred Morris was again second fiddle to Matt Jones in Week 3 in terms of carries. Jay Gruden keeps saying Morris is the lead dog, but the breakdown in rushes the last two weeks indicates it's more of a split. This week, Jones and Morris are ranked back-to-back on our list and have just RB3 or flex value. On top of the committee headache, the Eagles are the top team in terms of limiting fantasy points to RBs. Right now, it's hard not to give Jones the slight edge between the two, so Morris owners may want to go another direction.
Week 3 vs. New York Giants
Once looking like a solid, every-week RB2 option, Alfred Morris now has fantasy owners wondering what to make of him. Morris carried 18 times for 59 yards in Week 2 and even caught two passes for 13 yards, but it was Matt Jones who exploded onto the scene with a huge day.
Morris had 25 carries for 121 yards in Week 1, but last week the team pretty much split the workload with Jones getting 19 carries for 123 yards and two TDs. Jones also caught three passes. Morris ranks just a couple notches higher on our standard list this week, and in PPR, we actually have Jones as the better back to play between the two. This is a situation to watch as it looks like Jones has a ton of value going forward. Both backs now have RB3/flex value coming into a pretty nice matchup against the Giants on Thursday night.
Week 2 vs. St. Louis
Alfred Morris put up Morris-like numbers in Week 1 against a good Miami defense. He ran 25 times for 121 yards and wasn't targeted - which is no surprise. It was a big workload for Morris who continues to be a solid RB2 option for fantasy owners, especially in standard leagues.
This week Morris gets the Rams, who shape up to be just as tough as matchup as the Dolphins. Morris is ranked as a middle-of-the-road RB2 again this week despite the Rams D. The last times these two teams faced off was Week 14 of last year when Morris had eight carries for just six yards. At home, Morris should do better than that as the Skins continue to look to run the ball to take pressure of Kirk Cousins, who will be without his deep threat DeSean Jackson.
Week 1 vs Miami
In a lot of ways, Alfred Morris is the ultimate RB2 option in just about any format. We all know he's not going to be involved in the passing game, but he has always gotten enough carries to produce consistent numbers throughout his career, usually ranking him most weeks has a high-end RB2.
This week, he's again RB2 material as he comes in 19th on our running back list for Week 1. Unfortunately, it's going to be a tough haul as the Dolphins enter this contest ranked fourth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Washington needs to get the ground game going to take pressure off Kirk Cousins, so as long as the Skins keep this close, Morris should get his touches. Figure on mid-to-low end RB2 fantasy production for Morris.
Fantasy Upside
If you’re looking for the ultimate RB2 for your fantasy team, Alfred Morris might be the guy. Throughout his career he’s been pretty consistent, even through the tough times when the Washington offense struggled. He’s gone over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons and recorded 13-7-8 TDs over that same span. Bill Callahan’s arrival should keep Morris as a consistent fantasy RB, and we’ve had news reports that the team wants to run the ball more to set up the pass, keeping the pressure off QB Robert Griffin III.
Fantasy Downside
The biggest downside to Morris is his lack of use in the passing game. That’s been holding him back from the status of RB1, and that probably won’t change this year even with Roy Helu out of the picture. Matt Jones looks to be the team’s third down back heading into the season.
Bottom Line
Of all the RB2 backs rated between 13th and 24th, we project Morris to gain the most yards of anyone in that group (1,163). We know he’s not going to contribute a whole lot in the passing game, but being available late in the third round of 12-team leagues, you can do a lot worse than Morris as your second RB. In fact, even going WR-WR or WR-TE with your first two picks, Morris should give you some stability at the RB position to help balance your lineup.
Week 17 - Morris vs. Dallas
Alfred Morris had his best fantasy game since Week 12, running for 83 yards and a TD last week against the Eagles. It was Morris' eighth TD of the season. It was a decent enough matchup against the Eagles, but Morris had struggled the previous three contest, not getting more than 67 yards and also not scoring a TD so there was a little risk in playing him.
This week, Morris gets a nice matchup on paper against Dallas. While the 'Boys say they will play their starters Week 17, you have to imagine at some point Morris may see some time against backups. Morris should give you solid numbers in Week 17.
Week 16 - Morris vs. Philly
Alfred Morris ran 14 times for 49 yards last week and for the first time since Week 7, didn't catch a pass. Morris is again an RB2 option this week, but it's only an average matchup. The Eagles D has been pretty decent at stopping the run, coming in ranked 16th in allowing fantasy points to RBs, and have held DeMarco Murray to under 100 yards twice this year. Morris put up a 23-77 line back in Week 3 against the Eagles.
Week 15 - Morris vs. NY Giants
Alfred Morris had just eight carries for six yards but added a catch for 11 yards. It was a season low for Morris in attempts and yards, but we knew it was a tough matchup coming in as the Rams were fourth in allowing fantasy points to RBs.
Morris should bounce back this week as the Giants are 27th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. While the QB situation is kind of up in the air, the Skins should be able to ride Morris no matter who is under center. Also keep in mind, Morris was playing pretty well coming into last week's game. Back in Week 4, Morris had a 12-63-1 line against the G-men in what was actually a blowout loss for Washington on a Thursday night. We rank Morris as an RB2 but there's at least some upside here.
Week 14 - Morris vs. St. Louis
Alfred Morris saw his four-game mini-streak of productive fantasy weeks come to an end last week. He carried 17 times for 67 yards and added three catches for 16 yards. Prior to that, he had four TDs over four games and was averaging about 95 yards on the ground in that same four-game span.
This week's matchup is a tough one, but pretty much the final difficult matchup, on paper at least, for the rest of the regular season. The Rams rank seventh in allowing fantasy points to RBs and are coming off a shutout of the Raiders at home in Week 13. Morris is still ranked as an RB2 and being at home should help his cause a little. Morris finishes the season with the Giants (27th), Eagles (24th) and Cowboys (21st).
