Week 2 at Los Angeles Rams
We have Chris Thompson ranked ahead of teammate Rob Kelley in our Week 2 PPR RB rankings. Kelly only had 30 yards on 10 touches Week 1, whereas Thompson generated 56 yards and a score on 7 touches. He will need to continue to be efficient with his receptions, but if the game script turns negative on the road and/or Kelley can't rush the ball against this top-five run defense in our aFPA vs. PPR RB rankings, then Thompson could get the call. Consider him a low-end FLEX option in deeper leagues, but he's a better option than Kelley, most likely.
Week 1 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Pass-catching back Chris Thompson should not be anywhere near lineups in standard leagues. What about PPR? He averaged 9.7 PPR points in two games against the Eagles last year. That's not terrible if you're looking for a bye week fill-in, but this is Week 1. You drafted much better options in all likelihood. Start them.
Fantasy Upside
Thompson's value resides in PPR formats, where he finished as the RB27 last year, as the third-down back for the Redskins behind Rob Kelley.
Fantasy Downside
Thompson's RB27 finish was helped by playing all 16 games; however, on a per game basis, his 9.2 PPR points per game was only 44th at the position.
2017 Bottom Line
Thompson's ADP is the end of the 16th round. There's a reason for that. With Rob Kelly and Samaje Perine in the same backfield, he has no chance of earning every-down work and isn't much more than a late-round PPR flier in best-ball leagues.
Week 13 vs. Washington
Chris Thompson continues to fade a bit. Last week, he had four carries for 17 yards and five catches for 17 yards. His nine touches were his most since Week 8, however. Thompson comes in 45th on our RB list and just hasn't been a safe or productive fantasy over the last three weeks. This week's matchup is a tough one against the Cardinals, who are fourth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Thompson could be a factor in the passing game should the team fall behind, but probably isn't worth starting in typical leagues.
Week 12 at Dallas
Since Rob Kelley has come on the scene, Chris Thompson's touches have got lower, going from 12 to seven to just three last week. Thompson is still a valuable change of pace option as well as a third down back option, but right now doesn't seem like a safe play even for deeper PPR leagues based on his touches last week. The Cowboys are 11th in allowing fantasy points to RBs and Thompson is ranked 48th on our RB list meaning he should probably stay on your bench outside of very deep leagues.
Week 11 vs. Green Bay
Chris Thompson saw just seven touches last week. It's down from the previous three weeks where he saw double-digits. Rob Kelley took over with 22 carries last week allowing Thompson to be more of a change of pace threat. Thompson had four carries for 25 yards and three receptions for 11 yards. Thompson comes in 38th on our RB list, and given the fact that the Packers are worse against the pass, Thompson could see and uptick in the passing game. He's best suited for PPR leagues, but with Kelley getting a bulk of the work now, he certainly comes with risks starting him in typical leagues.
Week 10 vs. Minnesota
Chris Thompson had 12 touches last week but didn't produce big numbers as Rob Kelley played a much bigger role. Thompson carried seven times for 14 yards and caught five balls for 27 yards.
Thompson had a much better fantasy game the week before but such is the life of a team's third down back. Thompson will be a risky play given his role and now the emergence of Kelley as a guy who can take on a full load with or without Matt Jones in the lineup. Thompson takes on the Vikes who have fell in the rankings but are still 16th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. But Thompson is a risky play outside of deeper PPR leagues.
Week 8 at Cincinnati
Chris Thompson had a real nice fantasy day last week, running 12 times for 73 yards and catching four passes for 40 yards on seven targets.
Matt Jones had some fumbling issues, so Thompson took over a lot of the work with Rob Kelley also mixing in. With Jones' workload (and health) in question this week, Thompson could be in line for a bigger day in a matchup against the Bengals (who are 17th in allowing fantasy points to RBs). Thompson comes with risks due to an uncertain workload, but should be a safer play in PPR formats.
Week 2 vs. Dallas
Chris Thompson rushed four times for 23 yards last week and added two catches for 16 yards. He also stole a rushing TD in the game, his first career rushing TD. Running the ball wasn't supposed to be Thompson's role this year so it's a big disturbing Matt Jones didn't get that chance, but Thompson made a nice run on the play for the score. In all, Thompson got six touches to Jones' seven. But keep in mind the Skins fell behind early in this game and needed to play catch-up. Thompson gets a nice matchup this week but is ranked 42nd, right behind Jones on our list. Last week the Giants averaged about 5 yards a carry against Dallas so look for the Skins to try and get the run game going this week, something they don't often do very well. We're going to need to see more specific roles develop for Thompson and Jones before they become safer plays.
Fantasy Upside
With the parting of Alfred Morris, Chris Thompson suddenly finds himself as an elder member of the Washington RBs. The Skins have always liked Thompson, even dating back to the days of Roy Helu and he's finally getting his chance as the team's third down back and backup to Matt Jones. Thompson is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and has the ability to be a formidable change of pace back. When the Skins were struggling to run the ball last year, Thompson often stood out even as a change of pace.
Fantasy Downside
Thompson has had a hard time staying healthy. From Weeks 3-6, Thompson averaged about 10 touches a game, including over five catches a game and over seven targets a game. But after that point he missed Week 7 and didn't come close to double-digit touches again the rest of the way. The Redskins did struggle to run the ball last year and that could be the case again. Thompson will also have to play behind the youngster Jones, who is currently getting most of the first team reps.
Bottom Line
Thompson is ranked 44th on our PPR RB list which makes him usable in a little bit deeper PPR formats. While he's likely a handcuff to Jones, the Skins have to prove they can run the ball first. Thompson has a real good chance to be very a big factor in the passing game as long as he can stay healthy, but probably isn't a carry-the-load back if something were to happen to Jones. He's probably not a guy to draft in typical 10-team leagues but the deeper your league is, the more value he potentially has.
