Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
D’Onta Foreman was held to just nine yards on 10 rushing attempts in a game where the Panthers struggled offensively and played from behind throughout the game. Foreman gets the ball in close contests when the Panthers are grinding clock, but Chuba Hubbard seems to be the preferred option on passing downs. Foreman is too risky against the Lions, who rank first in aFPA to opposing running backs. Expect the Lions to put points on the board, limiting Foreman’s snaps. We have him ranked outside starter territory this week in all leagues.
Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
D’Onta Foreman was in a straight-up timeshare last week with Chuba Hubbard, but still wound up with 21 carries for 74 yards. He doesn’t seem to be much of a factor on passing downs, but when the team needs to grind the clock, he’s the guy.
The Steelers rank 18th in aFPA to opposing running backs, so it’s not a bad matchup for the Carolina running game. Foreman’s upside is limited while he’s sharing snaps, but the Panthers should be able to keep this game close enough to give Foreman fringe-RB2 numbers again.
Week 14 at Seattle Seahawks
D’Onta Foreman had a nice game against the Broncos before the bye last week, rushing for 113 yards on 24 carries. Foreman has been good when the team is able to lean on the run, and Denver’s woeful offense proved to be a great opportunity for Foreman to eat.
This week, Foreman faces a very vulnerable Seahawks defense that ranks 31st in aFPA to opposing running backs. Foreman is a little nicked up and it’s possible the Seahawks get ahead early and the Panthers end up abandoning the run early. Still, if he gets a full workload, he should land in solid RB2 territory. He’s worth starting, while understanding some game script risk.
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos
D’Onta Foreman was limited to just 11 carries and 24 yards last week in a low-scoring defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. It’s going to be hard for Foreman to get back on track this week against a Broncos defense that ranks eighth in aFPA to opposing running backs. However, Denver has struggled offensively this season, which should enable Carolina to keep the game close. As long as they don’t get blown out, Foreman should see a heavy workload, giving him upside, but we have him conservatively ranked outside RB2 territory. This offense stinks.
Week 11 at Baltimore Ravens
D’Onta Foreman had another good game against the Falcons last week, rushing 31 times for 130 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t catch his lone target and he continues to be an afterthought in the passing game, but his rushing production has made him a stellar fantasy option since the Panthers traded away Christian McCaffrey. Foreman has rushed for over 100 yards in three of the last four games.
This week, Foreman faces a Ravens defense that ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing running backs. Also, game script could put Foreman’s touches at risk, as the Ravens are heavily favored in this one. Foreman’s role on the offense makes him worth consideration, but temper expectations in this one. Consider him a low-end RB2 option.
Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons
D’Onta Foreman had a rough outing against the Bengals last week, as the Panthers were completely blown out. Foreman ended up with just 21 total yards on seven carries and a pair of receptions. Still, this is Foreman’s job and he led the Panthers’ backfield with 43% of the offensive snaps, despite the team being behind for so much of the contest.
Foreman should get back on track this week against a vulnerable Falcons defense that ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing running backs. The Falcons are also unlikely to get out to a tremendous early lead, so game script should be in Foreman’s favor. Expect him to get back to RB2 numbers.
Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals
D’Onta Foreman split touches in Week 7 with Chuba Hubbard, but he’s been the main guy since Hubbard went down midway through that game. He has responded with consecutive 100-yard outings, including 118 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Falcons. It’ll be hard for the Panthers to take the ball out of his hands, as he’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry, punishing defenders like he did last year filling in for Derrick Henry.
This week, Foreman faces a Bengals defense that ranks 12th in aFPA to opposing running backs, but just gave up a big day to Nick Chubb. Expect another busy game for Foreman, who should once again thrive with a full workload. We have him as a fringe-RB1 option in a week with six teams on bye. Start him.
Week 8 at Atlanta Falcons
D’Onta Foreman had a great, 60-yard run last week against the Buccaneers on his way to 118 yards rushing and 27 receiving. Foreman definitely appeared to be second on the depth chart, behind Chuba Hubbard, but he still had a role, even before Hubbard left with an injury.
This week, Foreman has a decent matchup against the Falcons, who rank 19th in aFPA to opposing running backs. With a timeshare in place, fantasy managers should hold off on starting Foreman as anything more than a RB3, but definitely roster Foreman, as this backfield situation is likely still developing.
Update: With Chuba Hubbard declared out, Foreman has RB2 potential with a likely increase in workload in a decent matchup.
Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
D'Onta Foreman should be the primary beneficiary from the Christian McCaffrey trade to the 49ers, but he has a tough matchup this week against a historically difficult Tampa Bay run defense, and sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard may also be in the mix. If you're desperate, Foreman has some upside with an expected increase in workload, but we recommend waiting a week in most leagues to see how the backfield shakes out.
2022 Fantasy Upside
D’Onta Foreman has had a turbulent start to his career, with injuries limiting him to just seven appearances from 2018-2020. But he came back strong in 2021, filling in nicely for an injured Derrick Henry for three starts, and putting up a solid 566 yards and three touchdowns for the Titans. Foreman joins a Panthers team with a lead back who has missed the bulk of the last two seasons with injury, and sophomore Chuba Hubbard looked rather pedestrian in relief duty as a rookie. With three additions to the offensive line, improved quarterback play, and opportunity behind oft-injured Christian McCaffrey, Foreman has high-end handcuff potential with a legitimate shot at fringe-RB1 numbers should CMC miss time.
2022 Fantasy Downside
CMC is healthy right now, and as long as that continues to be the case, it’s hard to imagine Foreman getting enough work to be fantasy viable. There’s also the chance he gets hurt himself or fails to beat out Hubbard, but all indications thus far are that Foreman was brought in to upgrade the backup running back position and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t win the primary handcuff spot.
2022 Bottom Line
With CMC’s injury history and the general durability issues at the running back position, Foreman is worth snatching up at the end of drafts to round out a fantasy stable of backs. He’s likely only useful in the event of an injury, but he’s one of only a few backups in the league who look poised for a full workload if thrust into the starting role.
