Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Gus Edwards had seven carries and a reception for 53 total yards and a pair of touchdowns on Monday night against the Browns. Edwards has continued to see at least seven touches in all but one game since J.K. Dobbins took over the lead back role. While that’s not a lot of work, he’s been able to produce solid numbers in the run-based attack of the Ravens, including double-digit fantasy points in each of the last two games.
Edwards has a great matchup against the Jaguars this week, and if the Ravens get up early – as is expected – he could wind up with enough touches once again to be a quality option in very deep leagues. He’s risky, but it seems like he’ll still get some usage, even with Dobbins as the lead back.
Week 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Gus Edwards was held to just 10 yards on nine carries against the Steelers on Wednesday afternoon, but he did find the end zone. He split touches with Justice Hill, so fantasy owners should take note of his lack of a full workload despite J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram both being out. With Dobbins likely back this week, Edwards should return to the bench as a handcuff option only.
Week 12 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards was left with just three carries and six yards against the Titans last week, as J.K. Dobbins got a full workload. Edwards is a risky option in games where Dobbins is healthy and where the Ravens aren’t heavily favored. This week against the Steelers, expect that to continue if Dobbins is active.
However, Dobbins and Mark Ingram both landed on the COVID list on Monday, so their status for Thursday night is in doubt. The Steelers rank seventh in aFPA to opposing running backs, but Edwards will be a legit RB2 if he’s the only healthy one out of the Ravens’ trio of ball-carriers. Watch the status of Dobbins carefully. If he’s out, plug in Edwards.
Update: The game has been moved to Wednesday, so keep an eye on the status of this and make sure you have a backup plan available.
Week 11 vs. Tennessee Titans
Gus Edwards was held to seven carries last week with the return of Mark Ingram. He also caught one of two balls thrown his way and ended up with a solid 73 yards from scrimmage. Edwards was a borderline RB2 option with Ingram out, but with Ingram back in the lineup, it’ll be hard to tell which games he’ll see double-digit touches. As such, it’s hard to trust him in lineups right now, and he should be on the bench, considered a very valuable handcuff.
Week 10 at New England Patriots
Gus Edwards had 13 touches last week, including a pair of receptions, for a total of 34 yards and a touchdown. It was a forgettable day on the ground for the Baltimore running backs, but it was also a tough matchup against the Colts.
This week, Edwards faces a Patriots defense that ranks 21st in aFPA to opposing running backs, so Edwards could be a nice, high-floor option, particularly in standard league formats. Assuming Mark Ingram is out once again, as expected, Edwards has low-end RB2 potential with another dozen-plus touches and a good shot at a touchdown. He’s scored in each of the last three games.
Week 9 at Indianapolis Colts
Gus Edwards received 16 carries with Mark Ingram out against the Steelers last week, and he finished with 87 yards and a touchdown. Edwards split touches with J.K. Dobbins, as expected, and while Ingram is sidelined, fantasy owners should expect a continued timeshare.
This week, Edwards faces a Colts defense that ranks second in the league in aFPA to opposing running backs. Assuming Ingram is out again, Edwards has some flex potential, especially in standard leagues and in deeper formats. His touches and running ability should give him a higher floor than the rookie Dobbins, but also a much lower ceiling.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards had 14 carries and a touchdown against the Eagles before the bye last week, but he had only 26 yards. Edwards got extra work after Mark Ingram went down, and he could continue to get two-down work if Ingram misses extended time.
This week, Edwards faces a tough Steelers defense that ranks fifth in aFPA to opposing running backs. If Ingram is out, then Edwards has low-end RB2 potential in standard league formats, since he might see double-digit touches. In PPR formats however, he’s unlikely to see enough work on passing downs to warrant serious fantasy consideration.
Week 6 at Philadelphia Eagles
Gus Edwards had seven carries last week against the Bengals and is averaging 6.8 touches per game so far this season. He’s part of a three-headed backfield with Mark Ingram and rookie J.K. Dobbins, so his workload is unlikely to be significant in any given week. However, dating back to last season, the Ravens have been prone to give Edwards significant work in the second half of games when they have a large lead. If that continues, there will be games like his Week 2 outing against Houston, when he ran for 73 yards on 10 carries. Betting which game is going to yield that production is risky business, but he has some potential as a dart throw for desperate teams in deep leagues. Only from the putting up a prayer department.
Week 1 vs. Cleveland Browns
Gus Edwards remains second on the depth chart as of Monday’s team release, but unless this game gets out of hand early on and the team pulls its starters, it’s hard to bank on Edwards getting work. Plus, rookie J.K. Dobbins looms, and it might be a good idea to take a wait-and-see approach to any Baltimore running back not named Mark Ingram.
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards had 12 carries and 66 yards last week against the Browns, filling in for Mark Ingram after a calf injury sidelined him. Edwards has been productive when called upon to start, topping 100 yards in three of seven starts last season and he’s averaged 5.2 yards per carry in supplemental action this year.
This week, Edwards has a tough matchup against a Steelers defense that ranks fourth in aFPA to opposing running backs this season. Still, he’s worth considering in deeper leagues as Ingram is likely to miss the season finale. Edwards could wind up with double-digit touches, and if that’s the case, he’s a productive enough runner to put up solid numbers for needy owners as an RB2 option.
