Week 3 at Cleveland Browns
Isaiah Crowell has averaged 11 carries through the first two games and that's what you can expect most of this season with Bilal Powell splitting playing time with him. They were almost dead even in snaps the first two weeks.
Crowell will face the Browns, who are 15th in aFPA to running backs. He should be getting more carries than Powell each game but will not be used nearly as much in the passing game.
Crowell will still have some fantasy value for Thursday's game but only as an RB3 or flex play. He has less value in PPR leagues because Powell is more involved in the passing game for New York.
Week 2 vs. Miami Dolphins
Isaiah Crowell made his Jets debut and it was a good one, despite only receiving 10 touches. He made the most of them by scoring two touchdowns, one being a 62-yard run, and he eclipsed the 100-yard mark against the Lions on Monday.
Crowell will remain in a platoon situation with Bilal Powell at running back for New York so the touches won't be much higher on a weekly basis. Miami comes to town for the home opener against New York. The Dolphins have a below-average run defense which means possibly more success for the Jets back.
Despite the good matchup, the two-back system will hurt Crowell's fantasy value. Start him for Week 2 but only as an RB3 or flex option.
Week 1 at Detroit Lions
Isaiah Crowell will make his Jets debut in Detroit this week. He will basically split time with veteran Bilal Powell. So, he could end up putting up some decent numbers, depending on the touches.
It's a great matchup against a Lions defense that has struggled so there is some potential for a good night. However, the touches being split will be an issue with Crowell all season.
Crowell has some value in Week 1 but only as a low-end RB3 or flex. See what else is out there because he is a borderline play this week.
Fantasy Upside
Isaiah Crowell's workload increased every year he was with Cleveland, topping off with over 200 carries last season. He now moves over to New York where he will be given the opportunity to do the same. Crowell played in every game the last two seasons and managed a 4.4 yards-per-carry average. He is a very tough runner and will be given goal-line duties which should help him increase his touchdown total.
Fantasy Upside
Bilal Powell returns for the Jets and there is a good chance he splits touches with Crowell. The Jets have had issues over the past couple of seasons finding consistency with their running backs so how they use him is still somewhat of a mystery.
2018 Bottom Line
Going into the season, Crowell ranks as our No. 32 running back which puts him a position to help you on a weekly basis as an RB3 or flex option. His ADP is 93 overall but you should consider taking him a little higher. Even if he splits time with Powell, Crowell will get enough touches to make an impact.
Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Before we get to his rushing stats, it's worth pointing out Isaiah Crowell has finished with negative receiving yards in back-to-back games. Okay, back to his rushing stats. Crowell didn't find much more success on the ground last week, finishing with 44 yards on 12 carries. He now has eight games below 50 yards rushing, and he's only scored twice all season.
He gets a decent matchup this week against the Steelers, but he struggled against this team earlier in the season by finishing with 33 yards on 17 carries (1.9 yards per carry). There isn't much upside to Crowell, which is why he's an RB3 at best in Week 17.
Week 16 at Chicago Bears
Isaiah Crowell played well last week, rushing 5 times for 72 yards, but he only touched the ball twice in the second half of the game. The score was close at the midway point (17-10) so it seems odd Crowell wasn't used much, but these are the Browns we're talking about.
He gets a somewhat difficult matchup this week against the Bears. Chicago isn't very stingy when it comes to yards (allowing over 100 per game), but the Bears haven't allowed a score on the ground to a back since Week 10. Crowell isn't much more than an RB3 or FLEX play this week vs. Chicago.
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Crowell came alive last week for a season-high 121 yards on a season-high 19 carries. He didn't score a touchdown, though, and he's only crossed the end zone twice all season.
He'll face a Baltimore defense this week that was favorable to backs early in the season, but lately hasn't allowed many rushing yards to the position (57 yards in the last six games). Backs have scored touchdowns against the Ravens, though, but since that's an area of concern for Crowell, owners should be skeptical.
Crowell is not much more than an RB3 or FLEX option this week.
Week 14 vs. Green Bay Packers
Isaiah Crowell only saw 10 carries last week, tied for the second-fewest this season. He wasn't too bad, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, but a lack of opportunity makes it difficult to score points. He also finished without a touchdown for the 10th time in his 12th start.
He gets a good matchup this week against the Packers, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing backs. But last week was a good matchup against the Chargers, and look how that worked out.
At the end of the day, Crowell is a hard player to trust in fantasy. He's had a few good games, but he's had many more bad ones. He's not much more than a FLEX play or RB3 this week.
Week 13 at Los Angeles Chargers
Isaiah Crowell got back on his hot streak with a strong performance last week, totaling 105 yards. He's now had three of his best games this season in the last four weeks as he's starting to make up for a disappointing year.
His sudden turnaround could continue this week in a favorable matchup against a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing backs, including a score in three straight games.
Crowell still carries some risk, but he could provide some upside this week as an RB3 or FLEX play.
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals
Isaiah Crowell's two-game stint of looking like a competent rusher quickly ended last week when he carried the ball 11 times for 18 yards. Crowell has been a big disappointment this season, as he still hasn't had a 100-yard game, and only scored twice.
He gets a decent matchup this week against the Bengals, but he struggled against them earlier in the year, rushing 7 times for 20 yards. Crowell doesn't offer much appeal in fantasy, and should only be used as an RB3 or flex play this week.
