Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins
D'Onta Foreman looked to be the clear lead back in Tennessee until the Titans gave Dontrell Hilliard the first snaps and touches of the game in Week 16, although Foreman still ended up leading the team in RB touches. Foreman saw nine carries and no targets, while Hilliard and McNichols had seven and six touches respectively. Foreman did get a goal-line carry that saved his fantasy day from total disaster when he burst into the endzone for a score, but it looks like he will have to rely heavily on touchdowns for any sort of fantasy relevance while splitting work with two other backs. The Dolphins' defense has been improved as of late and is one of the toughest units in the league against the run. Foreman's fantasy star was shining brighter last week, but for Week 17 he looks like a risky flex option.
Week 16 vs. San Francisco 49ers
D'Onta Foreman has seized control of the Tennessee backfield in recent weeks, racking up 54 carries over the last three games to go along with five receptions in the passing game. He's turned that workload into 264 rushing yards, good for a healthy 4.9 YPC in that span. Dontrell Hilliard and Jeremy McNichols continue to rotate in behind Foreman, but they appear to be relegated to a timeshare for backup duties as the Titans sort out their offensive roles post-Derrick Henry. Week 16 brings a matchup with a tough 49ers defense, but Foreman's robust workload gives him an RB2 floor and makes him a solid starting option for the fantasy playoffs.
Week 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Titans' backfield situation continues to evolve as the season moves along, but it appears that D'Onta Foreman has carved out a role as the "lead back" in a three-way committee. He led the Titans with 13 carries (including a score) and two catches in Week 14, compared to 14 total carries and no catches split between Dontrell Hilliard and Jeremy McNichols. This role should have some touchdown potential in the Tennessee offense, but the split workload will give every back on the Titans a low floor/ceiling combination. In Week 14, the Titans will take on the Steelers and Foreman makes for a low-end flex play based on the hope he can get in the endzone again.
Week 14 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard both cleared 100 yards rushing in Week 12, with Foreman logging 19 carries to Hilliard's 20. It's fair to expect a similar split of touches in Week 14, and an extremely soft matchup against Jacksonville means there could be opportunity for both backs to produce once again. The split workload caps the ceiling of both players, but the Titans' dedication to the run game and the accommodating matchup make both Foreman and Hilliard workable flex plays heading into Week 14.
Week 12 at New England Patriots
D'Onta Foreman looks poised to head a messy RB committee in Tennessee for the foreseeable future. The Titans released Adrian Peterson this week, leaving the backfield to Foreman, Jeremy McNichols, and Dontrell Hilliard. McNichols missed last week with a concussion, and a poor game script resulted in Foreman only seeing eight touches (seven carries and one reception) while splitting work with Hilliard. McNichols could return this week against the Patriots, clouding all of the Titans' RB projections even further. Foreman may get the most touches moving forward, but none of the Titans' RBs are anything more than desperate flex plays this week, especially in a brutal matchup on the road in New England.
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
D'Onta Foreman looks poised for a larger role than usual in Week 11 with Jeremy McNichols dealing with a concussion and only early-down bruiser Adrian Peterson left to run the ball. Foreman's fantasy viability will largely depend on whether McNichols get cleared to play in time, something that will likely be decided into the weekend. Coming off an 11-carry game where he added two catches on two targets for 48 yards, Foreman would be an acceptable flex play should McNichols sit out Sunday.
Fantasy Upside
Perhaps no Texans player was under more scrutiny this offseason than D'Onta Foreman following a disappointing, injury-marred year. He has worked diligently to get in better shape, and reported for the team's conditioning program weighing a much leaner 230 pounds. Foreman began last season on the physically unable to perform list, still recovering from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered as a rookie. When he returned to action after being activated in December, Foreman wasn't the same. He was rusty and not in proper football shape. But the third-year man is in position to get off to a faster start this season with multiple observers reporting Foreman is in great shape heading into training camp.
Fantasy Downside
We have a narrow band of production to work with here. Foreman rushed for 327 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie after being drafted in the third round.
2019 Bottom Line
Prior to his injury, Foreman had shown enough talent that there was talk of him eventually replacing Pro Bowl running back Lamar Miller. He'll be worth watching this summer and would have immediate value if something happens to Miller.
Week 17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Seeing his first action of the season last week in the loss to the Eagles, D’Onta Foreman was ineffective on his seven carries, but caught a 20-yard fourth quarter TD reception. Lamar Miller was out and may miss Sunday’s game as well, which would mean decent playing time for Foreman. Look for him and Alfred Blue to split the backfield duties against a solid Jacksonville defense.
Fantasy Upside
Foreman, a third-round pick last year, rushed for 327 yards and two touchdowns prior to suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon while scoring one of those touchdowns during a November win over Arizona. Foreman has been rehabbing the injury and all signs point to a full recovery -- at some point this season. According to Houston Chronicle staffer Aaron Wilson, Foreman appears trim and fit. The second-year man has been following a healthy diet and getting in as much weight lifting and conditioning with Texans strength coach Luke Richesson as possible.
Fantasy Downside
In addition to some minor off-field trouble (which isn't expected to draw league sanction), Foreman is taking a confident stance about his return. Foreman is also upbeat that he'll regain his old bruising form. "I definitely feel that way," Foreman said. "When I come back, I'll be just as good as before." That said, it appears unlikely Foreman will be full-go for the start of training camp.
2018 Bottom Line
Given all that, whether Foreman will be ready for the season opener against the Patriots remains up in the air. That's not his primary concern. It's about being fully healthy and having no setbacks in his recovery. Assuming he does, we saw enough last year to expect Foreman to have a continued role alongside starter Lamar Miller. And we've seen enough of Miller to suspect Foreman's role will grow sooner rather than later. But don't overinvest until we have some clarity on the timetable for his return.
Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Texans actually had a second-quarter lead at the Rams last week, but things quickly fell apart after halftime. In the loss, Donta Foreman carried the ball 7 times for 18 yards. The rookie will continue to back-up Lamar Miller, but the Texans offense just isn’t very explosive without Deshaun Watson. There is no reason Foreman should be part of your starting lineup, especially against the No. 8 ranked run defense.
