Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
With Kenyan Drake back in action last week against the Bills, Chase Edmonds was reduced to a complementary role, with eight carries and three receptions for 77 yards. Not bad totals, but not the numbers fantasy owners hoped for thinking the Cardinals might ease Drake back into action. With a tough matchup against the Seahawks this week and Drake likely to get double-digit touches again, Edmonds is a risky option in most leagues. He has some value as an RB3 in PPR formats – he’s averaging 3.6 receptions per game – but he’s mostly a high-end handcuff.
Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Chase Edmonds wasn’t amazing against the Dolphins last week, with 88 total yards, but he got 25 carries and three receptions, putting to rest any doubt about whether or not he’ll be a workhorse back with Kenyan Drake injured. Edmonds gets enough touches to be viable in deep leagues – particularly PPR formats – even when Drake is healthy, but if Drake misses a second straight game, Edmonds has huge upside with 20-plus touches.
This week, Edmonds faces a Bills defense that ranks 23rd in aFPA to opposing running backs. Assuming Drake is out, Edmonds should be in for a full workload and excellent fantasy numbers. If Drake is a surprise active, consider Edmonds a low-end RB2, but with Drake expected to miss another game, Edmonds should be considered a top-level RB1 in all formats. Start him.
Week 9 vs. Miami Dolphins
Chase Edmonds got supplemental work and filled in as the starter after Kenyan Drake went down against the Seahawks before the bye last week. He ended up with five carries for 58 yards rushing, and added 87 additional yards on seven receptions. He caught all seven balls thrown his way and now has a chance to be the focal point of the Cardinals’ rushing attack with Drake shelved.
This week, Edmonds faces a Dolphins defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing running backs. He’s shown he can produce when he gets opportunities, so he should be considered a potential RB1 in a nice matchup. Start him in all formats.
Week 7 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Chase Edmonds had five carries for 23 yards last week against the Cowboys, and he caught one of the two passes thrown his way for six receiving yards. It was his lowest yardage total since Week 2, and only the second time this season he’s seen fewer than four targets in the passing game. Edmonds has upside as a change-of-pace back, particularly since he’s found the end zone three times this year, but as long as he remains behind Kenyan Drake on the depth chart, it’s hard to trust him in most leagues. In PPR formats, he might have some upside this week as a low-end RB3, but in most leagues, there should be better options.
Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys
Chase Edmonds had 36 yards and a touchdown on three carries last week, but he added 56 yards on five receptions as well. He’s been targeted 12 times over his past two games and his snaps spiked to 45% last week. It’s still early to assume he’ll put up fantasy production while sitting second on the depth chart, but fantasy owners should be adding him in all league formats, just in case he can take that job. He’s been more impressive than Kenyan Drake in his limited opportunities. Against the Cowboys this week, he has some deep-league potential as an RB3, but it’s still risky to bank on him with a total of 18 touches over his past two outings.
Week 5 at New York Jets
Chase Edmonds had just four carries last week for 16 yards, but he caught five of six targets and scored his second receiving touchdown of the season. Edmonds has shown potential in limited opportunity dating back to last season, but until he takes on a consistently larger role in the offense – averaging 7.25 touches per game thus far – it’s hard to trust him in a weekly lineup. Sit him… for now.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers
Chase Edmonds has shown promise in a limited role as Kenyan Drake’s backup over the last year, but he’s averaging just 6.7 touches per game, and that’s simply not enough to warrant serious fantasy consideration. He’s a great handcuff, and he has some upside in a good matchup if the Cardinals get up early. But that’s a lot of risk in most leagues, and teams should leave him on the bench while Drake is healthy and getting the majority of touches.
Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions
Chase Edmonds had three carries and caught three balls last week against Washington for a total of 13 yards. Edmonds’ usage will likely be inconsistent as long as Kenyan Drake is healthy, so fantasy owners should view him primarily as a handcuff. While he has some upside in lopsided victories, he’s not going to be nearly consistent enough to warrant serious fantasy consideration. Keep him as a handcuff and nothing more.
Week 2 vs. Washington Football Team
Chase Edmonds got supplemental work next to Kenyan Drake last week, equating to nine touches, including three receptions, for a total of 45 yards and a touchdown. This seems like high-end numbers for him, and as long as Drake is healthy, Edmonds’ workload is going to be limited. He’s too risky to put in lineups, but he’s an excellent handcuff with legit RB2 value if Drake were to go down.
Fantasy Upside
Chase Edmonds appeared to be coming on strong last year. With David Johnson slowed by injury, Edmonds ran for 126 yards and scored three touchdowns in Week 7 against the Giants. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry on the season, but after that October game in New York, he injured a hamstring and recorded just nine more carries while Arizona added Kenyan Drake to the backfield. The Cardinals traded Johnson for star receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, putting Edmonds in line to back up Drake in an offense that is looking explosive with last year's top pick, quarterback Kyler Murray, leading the way.
Fantasy Downside
Even though it appears Edmonds is in a good spot, he now finds himself dealing with the possibility of seventh-round pick Eno Benjamin cutting into his carries. "I just use that as motivation," Edmonds said. "That is the way it is in the NFL. Every draft pick is chosen to play at some point. It doesn't matter what round. It's just business. If you accept that and just worry about the things you can control, you'll be fine." A solid pass-catching prospect, Benjamin had 42 receptions in 2019, trailing only Clyde Edwards-Helaire for most in this year's class.
Fantasy Downside
While he's the logical handcuff for Drake investors, Benjamin's presence pushes Edmonds down the line a bit in terms of value compared to some of the other prime handcuff options.
