Week 4 at Washington
Darren Sproles was heavily involved last week in the Eagles first win, carrying the ball 11 times for just 17 yards, but he did have a TD. He caught four balls for 19 yards and dropped a swing pass that sure looked like it was going to be a long TD reception. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Sproles is an RB2 option in PPR leagues this week against the Skins, who are ninth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Sproles should be involved no matter who plays at RB for the Eagles, but he did get a bump in touches with no DeMarco Murray in Week 3. That could be the case this week, too, which would likely increase the number of touches Sproles gets in the running game.
Week 3 at Detroit
After a 12-touch performance in Week 1, Darren Sproles had just five touches in Week 2. He ran once for minus-four yards and caught four balls for 23 yards, so it wasn't what owners were hoping for if they optimistically put Sproles in their lineups last week. This week, it's a tough matchup as the Jets are sixth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. News broke Wednesday that DeMarco Murray is having an MRI on his hamstring. This could mean more work for both Sproles and Ryan Mathews, so it's something to monitor before this Sunday's early game.
Week 2 vs. Dallas
Darren Sproles got off to another strong start, running five times for 50 yards and catching seven passes for 76 yards. The 12 touches actually matched DeMarco Murray's totals from Week 1.
The Eagles use of Sproles in the passing game was encouraging, however, the Eagles eventually went away from him last year, so it's something to keep in mind. Sproles hasn't performed extremely well against Dallas during his time in Philadelphia, totally just four runs for 18 yards and five catches for 27 yards in two games in 2014 (though he does have a rushing TD). The hope for fantasy owners is they continue to use him as a pass-catching option out of the backfield or in the slot like they did in Week 1.
Week 1 at Atlanta
Last year, Darren Sproles started off strong. But, as the season went on, his touches dropped off for no good reason. He even had a game where he wasn't targeted, which seems like a big no-no for a back of Sproles' talents. The Eagles have vowed to utilize Sproles more in 2015, especially in the passing game, but that remains to be seen. He should be decent PPR option, as his carries will be limited with DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews also around. Sproles ranks 42nd among our RBs this week in PPR formats.
Fantasy Upside
If you're looking for a pass-catching running back, Darren Sproles is one of the best in the business. Last year he was very good at not only catching balls out of the backfield, but also at spelling LeSean McCoy in the run game. The Eagles used Sproles in a lot of areas in the field, but most importantly he produced touchdowns at key times.
Fantasy Downside
Outside of early in the season, the Eagles didn't utilize Sproles like many thought. As the season went on his overall touches lowered and there was even a game where he wasn't targeted. The team said that's going to change this year, but keep in mind DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews also loom in the backfield.
Bottom Line
Sproles should have the team's pass-catching role secured on his own even with Murray and Mathews as the Eagles seem to realize they need to get him the ball a little more than they did last season. He may not have a lot of value in typical standard leagues, but the value is there in deeper PPR leagues. Potential fantasy owners may want to take a wait-and-see approach throughout the preseason to see if the Birds follow through with their plan to give him more consistent touches.
Week 17 - Sproles vs. NY Giants
Darren Sproles saw 10 touches in Week 16, the most since 11 all the way back in Week 2. He carried four times for 24 yards and caught six balls for 43 yards. It's the most work he's had in the passing game since catching seven balls for 152 yards back in Week 2 against the Colts. The spike in workload was a long time coming for owners but with a meaningless game scheduled for Week 17, Sproles may not see that kind of work again as the Eagles plan for 2015. It's a nice matchup, but Sproles comes with the usual risks.
Week 16 - Sproles vs. Dallas
Darren Sproles ran three times for five yards and caught two balls for eight yards. He did run for a TD, his sixth of the season. Still, Sproles continues to only get a handful of touches as we head into Week 16. All that and a tough matchup make Sproles a boom or bust flex play weekly.
Week 15 - Sproles vs. Dallas
The curious case of Darren Sproles continued as he had just four carries for no yards against the Seahawks last week. He wasn't targeted in the passing game for the second time this season.
Sproles' strength is catching balls out of the backfield and taking advantage of mismatches, but the Eagles uses for him have varied greatly this season, especially during the second half of the season. Sproles can bust off a punt return or a long run or a screen for a TD just about any time from anywhere on the field, but his touches are too limited as of late to trust - especially in typical leagues during the playoffs and even in what is a good matchup against the Cowboys.
Week 14 - Sproles vs. Seattle
Darren Sproles had just four touches last week, down from nine the week before against the Titans. He carried once for 13 yards and collected three passes for 19 yards. Sproles is explosive but just isn't getting a safe numbers of touches to make him a great play in typical, 10-team leagues at least. The deeper the league, the better option Sproles is.
Week 13 - Sproles vs. Dallas
Darren Sproles saw a bump in touches last week and again made the most of them. He had just six total between Weeks 10 and 11, but had nine in Week 12 - running six times for 25 yards and a TD and hauling in three passes for 14 yards.
After going catchless in Weeks 5 and 6, Sproles has 10 receptions in his last four games. The TD was his fifth rushing TD of the season. He continues to be a bit of a risk in typical 10-team leagues, due to the low volume, but he's scoring a touchdown just about every other game and is a big play threat. Sproles is an RB3/flex play with a bit more value in PPR leagues.
