Week 1 vs. Houston Texans
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, "Burkhead is cleared to play in the opener but expect him to be eased into the mix because there is an acclimation process that still needs to take place." That certainly sounds like James White is going to lead this backfield in snaps Week 1, with Sony Michel (knee) also still limited in practice. With slot WR Julian Edelman also suspended, White could get work there, too, as one of the best pass-catching RBs in the league. We're expecting at least four receptions for White this week, putting him on the FLEX radar for Week 1 in PPR leagues.
Fantasy Upside
James White has emerged as a favorite to begin the season splitting work with Rex Burkhead after Sony Michel required a knee procedure. He finished as a top-30 RB in PPR two years ago.
Fantasy Downside
Given the draft capital spent on Michel and Burkhead the likely candidate to take red zone/goal-line work, White's upside for the entire season in redraft leagues is capped. Perhaps he's worth a gamble in PPR best-ball leagues, but the likely weekly inconsistencies will make him a headache in your redraft leagues.
2018 Bottom Line
Don't consider White a player that will help you all season long. It's possible he could be a FLEX candidate if Sony Michel misses the start of the season, but it's hard to believe White will get enough work to be a consistent RB2 in 2018.
AFC Conference Championship vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
There is some mystery to how healthy Tom Brady is going into the conference championship game because of an apparent injury to his right hand. Reports out of New England range from Brady is okay to it will affect him slightly. Either way, running the ball is the best way to attack the Jaguars defense, as they rank just 24th in aFPA vs. RBs. However, with Rex Burkhead expected to be back, James White becomes just a contrarian DFS play.
Divisional Round vs. Tennessee Titans
The Patriots have the highest implied team total as 14-point home favorites in Vegas this week, and that total is a fantasy juicy 31 points. However, James White was still limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with his ankle injury. He feels far too risky to play in fantasy this week.
Week 16 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots have the highest implied team total in Vegas this week at 29.5 points, and the Bills defense is a run funnel, ranking seventh in aFPA versus QBs but dead last in aFPA versus RBs. Plus, Rex Burkhead sprained his knee and is likely out. That means more work in the passing game for James White. White averaged 12 PPR points per game through the first 10 weeks of the season. Consider him a risky FLEX option in PPR leagues for Week 16 but one with upside in this high-powered offense.
Week 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite the loss in Miami last week, the Patriots are still favored in Pittsburgh with the second-highest implied team total in Vegas this week at 28.25 points. Over the past four weeks, the Steelers have also allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the RB position, including 6 total touchdowns. We saw what a negative game script can do though for James White last week. He played more than half the snaps, but still only received 3 touches, being called on to help in pass protection. He's not a viable Week 15 starting option.
Week 14 at Miami Dolphins
The Patriots have the highest implied team total for Week 14 with 29 points; however, James White is clearly third in line behind Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead at this point. He's a third-down back that plays some of the time. The Dolphins present a plus matchup, but the lack of touches recently for James White puts him out of starting lineup consideration in the fantasy postseason.
Week 13 at Buffalo Bills
The traditional Patriots backfield concerns have somewhat melted away with Mike Gillislee turning into a healthy scratch in recent weeks, but James White has received no more than 5 touches each of the last three weeks. He's not a starting option.
Week 12 vs. Miami Dolphins
Patriots backfield touches over the past two games: Dion Lewis-28, Rex Burkhead-22, James White-10. The Dolphins are above-average in aFPA vs. RB rankings, but as a 17-point favorite with the highest implied total of 32 points, this is a good projected game script for Patriots running backs. White's usage puts him third in the backfield pecking order right now, though. He's a high-risk FLEX option in PPR formats and should be benched in standard leagues.
Week 11 vs. Oakland Raiders (game in Mexico City)
Hola fanáticos del fútbol americano! James White and the Patriots head to Mexico to face the Raiders, but White played a season-low 16% of snaps last week and missed a blitz pick up. That led to more work for Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead. He's a risky play this week, but the Raiders are top-10 in both receptions and receiving yards allowed to fantasy running backs. So there is some FLEX appeal here if you need one.
