Week 19 vs Kansas City
James White was a pleasant surprise late in the season, at one point having five or more targets (with a high of 13) in five consecutive weeks. His involvement in the passing game and work around the goal-line provided fantasy owners with several weeks of sneaky value. While there is some nervousness surrounding how the Patriots backfield works out in this Divisional Round, but James White figures to be the surest bet, and may get his normal target volume and a couple carries regardless. We have him as a low-end RB1 in standard, with a PPR bump into the top five conversation.
Week 17 at Miami
James White put up what is becoming a signature White fantasy line in Week 16, with only two rushes for four yards, but adding a 5-28-1 line in the passing game off of five targets. White hasn't had more than two carries in a game over the last month, and hasn't had more than three at any point this season. He makes his fantasy living in the redzone (averaging almost a touchdown per game in that span) and in the passing game, where he hasn't seen less than five targets since Week 12 and averages over seven targets per game in that same span.
In a terrific matchup versus the most generous aFPA matchup to RBs in Miami, we have James White as a RB2, with a PPR bump into the low-end RB1 conversation.
Week 16 at New York Jets
James White put up what is becoming a prototypical James White day, receiving only one carry in Week 15, but seeing eight targets while playing a third of the team's snaps. He converted this to a 7-71 line in the passing game, with only a 1-6 line in the rushing game. He has yet to have more than three carries in a game, though does see some goal line work with those carries. Averaging nine targets per game over the last three weeks, and seeing some goal line work, White makes a bit of floor play late in a season where most owners have suffered several RB injuries. In a weak RB field, White may be viewed as a fringe RB2 in standard leagues, or RB3 in shallower leagues. His PPR bump may place him into the fringe RB1 or RB2 conversation.
Week 15 vs Tennessee
While James White received just one carry out of the backfield in Week 14, it was a meaningful one, converting into two yard touchdown, he added a 4-38 line in the passing game off six targets. While White has received between one and three carries in each game he has played this season, he is averaging eight targets a game over the last three weeks. With all the injuries to Patriots' RBs this season, White figures to see an increased usage this weekend and may be a reasonable punt option for desperate owners, especially in PPR leagues.
While White makes a weak to solid RB3 in standard leagues, he may be as high as a middling RB2 in larger PPR leagues.
Week 14 at Houston
James White put up his second fantasy relevant game on the year in Week 13, his work in the passing game propelling him to a RB5 finish on the week in standard leagues. While he still hasn't carried the ball more than three times in a week, he has steadily seen his targets per game increase, leading to last week's 15 target and 10-115-1 line in the passing game alone. His 12 touches on the week were a season high, with his second highest total of eight coming just one week prior.
With his usage difficult to project at the moment, he makes for a risky start this weekend, though owners could do worse if they are desperate. We have him as a weak RB3, with a PPR bump into the fringe RB2/3 conversation.
Week 13 vs Philadelphia
The increased workload for James White hasn't shown itself on the field since Dion Lewis went down. Despite playing around 30-40% of the weekly snaps, White hasn't topped five touches all season.
Week 12 at Denver
James White had a nice fantasy day in Week 11, largely due to his two touchdowns. His four touches for a combined 46 yards isn't indicative of a reliable fantasy asset at this point. Averaging only 3.5 touches per game over his last four, White remains a weak flex play for desperate owners.
Week 11 vs Buffalo
James White figured to be next in line to pick up some of the slack from when RB Dion Lewis went on season-ending IR, but despite playing 38 percent of the snaps in Week 10, he saw only one carry and one target in the passing game. He may remain on our fantasy radar for now, but he should be left on benches for now. In deep leagues he may make for a desperation play, if byes and injuries have you down.
Week 10 at New York Giants
With fellow RB Dion Lewis out for the season, someone figures to get more work in this backfield. LaGarrette Blount stands to benefit, but is a non-factor in the passing game. When Lewis missed Week 7 against the Jets, it was White who played 64 percent of the snaps. So White figures to get a bump in value now, but we're not confident in how this backfield will shape up. In standard leagues, White should be left on benches for the time being. In PPR, White makes a for a fringe RB3/4 candidate, worthy of starting if the injury bug and bye blues are singing your name.
Week 1 vs Pittsburgh
James White may be a nice sleeper stash on the season in very deep leagues, but he is not in consideration for your starting lineup in Week 1.
