2016 Fantasy Outlook
Ivory cashed in on his first 1,000-yard season by signing with the Jaguars in free agency and will pair with T.J. Yeldon to form a formidable tandem. He had a career-high 247 carries last season, up from 198 the year before, so he's never been a truly high volume guy. Ivory has scored 13 touchdowns on the ground over the past two seasons and it will be interesting to see how the Jaguars divvy up carries. Ivory had never been much of a factor catching the ball until last season when he had 30 receptions, so expect Yeldon to continue to be the third-down option. Expect around 200 touches for Ivory, which should include short-yardage and goal-line situations. Ivory is being taken as the 30th running back selected in early drafts, compared to 33 for Yeldon. Both will have value, but neither will be a star unless the other is injured.
Week 17 vs. Buffalo
Chris Ivory carried the ball 11 times last week which is the most by any Jet but he was only on the field for 35% of the snaps. Bilal Powell has become a better option because of his ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield. Therefore, Ivory's stock has dropped in recent weeks.
The matchup is good for Ivory as the Bills are 24th in aFPA to running backs. But he needs to get more carries to be effective and that has not been the case. He still can help your lineup as an RB3 or flex for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. New England
Chris Ivory just isn't seeing playing time as much as he did earlier in the season. He still managed 14 touches (13 carries) but played only 39 percent of the snaps. He has been hit or miss most of the season and the Jets seem to be using Bilal Powell more out of the backfield in the passing game.
Ivory had limited success in the first meeting with New England and we expect more of the same. He still has fantasy value because he will get carries, but he only ranks as a low-end RB 2 for Week 16.
Week 15 at Dallas
Chris Ivory eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time since Week 4. He also had 22 carries which is a key number for the Jets offense. They have been successful when they have rode Ivory.
It's a neutral matchup against Dallas who is 17th in aFPA to running backs. Expect New York to get Ivory 20-plus carries on Saturday and start him in all leagues and formats as a low-end RB1 for Week 15.
Week 14 vs Titans
It's a very interesting shift in the Jets backfield as Chris Ivory, who looked like he was a Pro Bowler the first half of the season, only received 38% of the snaps last game. Bilal Powell played 55% of the snaps. Yes, the Jets threw 50 passes which means more Powell on the field. Ivory still had 15 touches, but a lot less than you would expect.
Ivory faces a the Tennessee defense which is 3rd in aFPA to running backs so the passing game could be prominent again for New York.
Ivory is still the No. 1 back and still should be in your starting lineup for Week 14 as a high-end RB2.
Week 13 vs Giants
Chris Ivory bounced back with a solid game last week that saw him accumulate 23 touches for 102 yards and touchdown. Earlier in the season, that looked like the norm for him, but he has seen patches of games where he has not been a factor in the Jets offense.
Ivory will face a Giants defense that is ranked 15th in aFPA to running backs so expect a decent game for the Jets running back. We rank him as a low-end RB1 for Week 13 as we will see 20+ touches for him again which usually leads to some fantasy success.
Week 12 vs Miami
Chris Ivory had another disappointing game last weekwith just nine touches, a far cry from his season average. We are not sure why he was not part of the game plan against Buffalo, but we will take it as a fluke and expect him to get back to his normal workload.
The Jets face Miami this week, who is dead last in aFPA to running backs. This fact alone puts Ivory in your starting lineup as a high-end RB2 for Week 12. Expect pretty good numbers from Ivory against the 'Fins.
Week 11 vs Houston
After three subpar games, Chris Ivory returned to form last Thursday coming up 1 yard short of 100 yards for the game. He also had 36 receiving yards. The downside of the night was the zero touchdowns and a lost fumble.
Houston is 28th in aFPA to running backs, so this is a very good matchup for Ivory. We expect the 20-plus touches, which will garner him enough fantasy stats to be ranked a low-end RB1 for Week 11. Start Ivory in all leagues and formats.
Week 10 vs Buffalo
Chris Ivory was one of the best fantasy stories of the first half of the NFL season. So, it's hard to explain what happened the past two weeks where he has ran the ball 38 times for 43 yards. He did have two touchdowns to save the fantasy week, but the lack of yardage is puzzling.
The good news is Ivory is still getting the carries, so hopefully the Jets will find more room for him to run. It could be this week against Buffalo, who is only 23rd in aFPA to running backs. Start Ivory as a low-end RB1 on Thursday and if the rushing numbers don't increase, you can start to be concerned.
Week 9 vs Jacksonville
Without Ryan Fitzpatrick for most of last week, the Raiders loaded the box, which took Chris Ivory out of the game. He had 15 carries for 17 yards and was a major Week 8 fantasy bust. Fitzpatrick is back and even though he playing hurt, that will force Jacksonville to think pass at least part of the time.
The Jags pass defense isn't great, as they are 26th in aFPA to wide receivers. That means Ivory should have some opportunities and the touches should be up as well. Start Ivory as a solid RB1 for Week 9 in all leagues and formats.
