Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
Gus Edwards stepped off the injury report and right into 50% of the team’s offensive snaps and 16 rushing attempts for 52 yards and a touchdown. Kenyan Drake had just two carries and one target on the game. The Ravens have been tough to peg when it comes to running back usage this season, so fantasy managers will want to take a cautious but optimistic approach to Edwards in upcoming games.
In a tough matchup against the Broncos, with workload questions and offensive struggles around him, it’s hard to bank on Edward as more than a flex option this week. We like the work he got last week, but Denver ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing running backs, and we’ve been fooled by Kenyan Drake usage before. Consider him a risky fringe RB2 this week.
Week 12 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Gus Edwards did not return to action last week against the Panthers, so we’ll play the same guessing game heading into this week. Edwards has upside, but even if he’s active, fantasy managers should view him as more harmful to Kenyan Drake than helpful to himself. Stay away, but stash him on your bench in case he can take that job.
Week 11 vs. Carolina Panthers
Gus Edwards has missed the last couple of games after a brief return from injury, but it looks like he’s set to return in Week 11 against the Panthers. It’s a good matchup, but fantasy managers should take a cautious wait-and-see approach to Gus Bus as Kenyan Drake is still likely to be featured in the offense and it’s risky to bank on Edwards coming off an injury into a probable timeshare.
Update: Edwards is out so be sure he's not in your lineup. Kenyan Drake gets a bump.
Week 9 at New Orleans Saints
It was a short run as the lead back last week for Gus Edwards, who left the game against the Buccaneers with a minor hamstring strain after 11 carries and 65 yards. He’s likely going to be a question mark going into Monday night’s tilt against the Saints, so fantasy managers should be sure to have Kenyan Drake on speed dial, just in case Edwards is a late scratch. If he starts, he’ll face a Saints defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing running backs and just held Josh Jacobs to 43 yards – although game script was a big reason for that, as the Raiders got down early and only ran the ball 10 times with their lead back. Consider Edwards a fringe RB2 option if he starts, and it’s definitely risky to bank on him.
Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gus Edwards returned to action last week and led the Baltimore backfield with 16 carries, 66 yards, and a pair of touchdowns in a victory over the Browns. Edwards has been productive in the past and with J.K. Dobbins currently on IR, it’s possible he becomes a viable RB2 option as the main cog in the Ravens’ backfield.
This week, Edwards faces a historically stingy Tampa Bay run defense that ranks seventh in aFPA to opposing running backs. However, the Buccaneers got torched by Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman last week, and are reeling after losing four of their last five games. The matchup and the relative inconsistency of the Baltimore running game drop Edwards down to fringe RB2 territory, but he’s worth starting if you need bye week help. His workload alone should make him flex-worthy in most leagues.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Gus Edwards went down with an ACL tear in the preseason last year and missed all of 2021. Before that, he was remarkably steady, rushing for over 700 yards in each of his three healthy seasons. In 2020, he had career-highs in rushing yards (723), touchdowns (six), and receiving yards (129) in a part-time role. He also has a career per-carry average of 5.2. In short, Edwards has been effective when he gets the ball. The Ravens have shown a proclivity to split touches in a run-heavy scheme, so even if Edwards isn’t the lead back, he has fantasy value as a complementary piece. He also is one of the few backs in the league who becomes a borderline RB1 in the event of an injury to the starter.
2022 Fantasy Downside
With J.K. Dobbins also likely to return from his own knee injury, Edwards won’t be the primary starter. This caps his potential as a fantasy back, even in an offense that leads the league in rushing attempts since Lamar Jackson entered the league. Additionally, Jackson’s ability to run with the ball limits the touchdowns opportunities for the Baltimore running backs, and Dobbins was used more in that capacity in 2020, so Edwards doesn’t have a clear path to extensive goal line work either.
2022 Bottom Line
Edwards is worth drafting for the back end of fantasy rosters as a starter in a pinch, but mostly as a potential lottery ticket should Dobbins struggle to get back from his knee injury. He’s available very late in the 14th round of drafts and has demonstrated ability to be an RB2 when he’s getting carries, so there’s value to be had. Edwards might be less exciting than the rookies being drafted in that region, but he’s more proven to perform and is the least likely player in that region to net you a big goose egg if forced into your lineup.
Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders
Edwards suffered a knee injury and is likely to miss the season. Be sure to get him out of your lineup.
Fantasy Upside
For a non-starter, Gus Edwards isn’t a bad option to throw in your lineup from time to time. While J.K. Dobbins will be the lead back, Edwards gets work. He only had three games with four or fewer touches last year, and he had double-digit touches in seven games. Edwards has been productive when given the opportunity, averaging 5.2 yards per carry over his three-year career. The Ravens brought him back as a restricted free agent, so he clearly has a role and without Mark Ingram on the roster, he’s the clear-cut change-of-pace back on a team that runs the ball more than any other team in the league.
Fantasy Downside
While Edwards will get work, giving him some nice late-round value, his upside is limited as long as Dobbins is healthy. Edwards will also suffer – along with Dobbins – from Lamar Jackson’s ability to run, particularly in the red zone. Finally, his 18 total receptions in three seasons don’t bode well for him in PPR formats.
2021 Bottom Line
Edwards is a nice high-floor back for fantasy owners, especially considering he’s available in the 10th round of 12 team leagues. He’s a great “won’t get you zero” lineup option, and he carries with him the added bonus of being a stellar handcuff to Dobbins. Should he be thrust into the starting role, he’s shown before he can put up RB2 numbers.
Update:
J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL and will miss the season. Bump up Gus Edwards across all rankings into RB2 territory.
Week 17 at Cincinnati Bengals
Gus Edwards actually led the team in carries last week with 15 for 85 yards, but that was largely due to the Ravens playing in positive game script after getting up 20-3 at the half. Edwards also added 37 yards on a pair of receptions, turning in a double-digit fantasy day for the third time in his last four games.
Edwards faces a surging Bengals team coming off two consecutive wins, but one that just gave up big points to David Johnson in a thrilling victory over the Texans last week. If the Ravens can get up early again, expect Gus to get double-digit touches, giving him upside as an RB3 in standard formats. He’s risky because of his inconsistent workload, but even in closer games, he seems to get at least seven carries most of the time, and he’s always a threat around the goal line.
Week 16 vs. New York Giants
Gus Edwards had nine carries and a pair of receptions last week for a total of 78 yards. He didn’t find the end zone, but he’s been getting steady touches in a complementary role all season, and producing reasonably well. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry and has six touchdowns this year.
This week, Edwards faces a Giants defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing running backs. The benefit for Edwards is if the Ravens get up early again and run the rest of the game. Positive game script bodes well for Edwards, and it’s expected he’ll see another 8-12 touches again this week. He’s a high-floor RB3 option, particularly in standard formats this week.
