Week 11 at Arizona
Jeremy Hill seemed to be getting more playing time a couple weeks ago, but the number fell again as he played in only 29 percent of the snaps. It has been hard all season to predict how the Bengals are going to use Hill and his running back teammate Gio Bernard.
The Cardinals are the next opponent and have been average against the run this season, but the touches which have been around 16 per week for the previous 2 weeks fell to 10 for a total of 20 yards. Hill rates an RB3 or flex for Week 11, so there should be a spot in your starting lineup for him, but don't expect too much.
Week 10 vs Houston
Jeremy Hill pretty much split time and touches with Giovani Bernard last week, and that seems to be the trend with both these players. It's good news for Hill owners who saw his touches reduced the previous two weeks, but overall, he has been very even with Bernard as far as opportunities are concerned.
Hill faces a Houston defense that is 29th in aFPA to running backs, so the matchup is favorable. He is ranked as a low-end RB2 and has some value for Week 10. Start him and hope the snaps and touches continue to be split.
Week 9 vs Browns
Jeremy Hill's numbers continue to be average as he pretty much split time with Gio Bernard in the backfield last week. It's hard to believe Hill's season-high rushing total is 63 yards (back in Week 1) and even though he has five touchdowns, they came in two games.
Hill could top that total Thursday, as Cleveland is 31st in aFPA to running backs and has trouble stopping the run. He averaged 101 yards per game in the two meetings last year with the Browns. We have Hill ranked higher than Bernard this week ,because he is the better overall runner. He won't have a big game as he will split carries, but he should be good enough to start as a high-end RB1. Start him for Week 9.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh
Jeremy Hill hasn't produced what his fantasy owners expected so far this season. He has played second fiddle to Gio Bernard, and his numbers are barely good enough to consider him a constant starter every week.
He will face the Steelers, who are 4th in aFPA to running backs. It really makes Hill even less valuable, because touchdowns might be the only thing that gives him value. He still should be considered for Week 8 as a high-end flex and RB3. He did get more snaps in the last game before the bye, but Bernard has been the preferred choice overall.
Week 6 vs Bills
At the beginning of the season, Jeremy Hill was thought to be an RB1. His stock has dropped because of the play of his teammate Giovani Bernard. Hill only played 22% of the snaps last week and had nine touches. He is still part of the Bengals gameplan but not like earlier in the season.
It will be a tough day for Bengals running backs in general against a Bills defense that has been very good at home and against opposing backs (10th in aFPA).
Hill has fallen to a high-end flex or RB3 for Week 6. His value might fluctuate as the season goes on and he might even regain his spot as the No. 1 back for Cincy eventually.
Week 5 vs Seattle
Since Week 1, there have been fantasy question marks about Jeremy Hill. He did get more snaps than Giovanni Bernard last week, but saw only nine carries. The key is Hill is rarely used in the passing game so the limited carries really damages his fantasy stature.
Although Hill is still a better play in standard leagues because of the touchdown potential at the goal line, he has been a major disappointment in 2015. Also, the passing game has been successful for the Bengals who were supposed to be a run-first football team.
The matchup this week isn't great as Seattle is 4th in aFPA to running backs, but Hill still has enough positives to rank him a solid RB2 for Week 5 in standard leagues. He falls to an RB3/flex in PPR leagues. Either way, he is a safe play at home against the Seahawks.
Week 4 vs Kansas City
Is Jeremy Hill still in the doghouse from his two fumbles two weeks ago or do the Bengals just like Giovani Bernard right now? Hill only played half the snaps of Bernard last week and the Bengals offense kept playing well.
Hill was a consensus RB1 coming into the season, but his value has definitely dropped. That doesn't mean he doesn't have value, but with a tough matchup against a pretty good KC run defense, he comes in as a mid-range RB2 for Week 4.
Week 3 at Baltimore
It was not a good week for Jeremy Hill owners as the Bengals RB fumbled twice and saw teammate Giovani Bernard play in 45 snaps compared to 20 for Hill. The results were not good as Hill only had 11 touches compared to 19 the week before. This doesn't mean Bernard has passed Hill on the depth chart, but it is something to keep an eye on. Bernard is better in the passing game )so he is actually a better play in PPR leagues), but Hill is still the primary back at this point.
Hill played early in the season against the Ravens last year, so the sample size is small, but he didn't do anything significant. Baltimore's run defense is still decent, so don't expect a big day from any of the Bengals backs. With the opponent and the fumbling issue, Hill falls in the rankings this week to a high-end RB2. If he fumbles again, the Bengals could turn to Bernard on a regular basis. Either way, Hill is in play for Week 3 and hope he returns to the end of 2014 form.
Week 2 vs Chargers
Jeremy Hill scored two touchdowns and carried the ball 19 times against the Raiders, which are positives for the second-year back. However, the fact he didn't record a catch which is an early concern in PPR leagues, as the Bengals like Giovani Bernard better as a receiver out of the backfield.
The Bengals will face an average San Diego run defense in Week 2. Hill is definitely the work horse and the goal line back. This gives him tremendous value and a very high rating in standard leagues as a top-5 fantasy RB. Start Hill in all formats.
Week 1 vs Raiders
Jeremy Hill was outstanding over the second half of the 2014 season. Although Giovani Bernard is around, Hill should still be the primary back in Cincinnati. The former LSU Tiger will be a top-10 fantasy running back most of the year and in Week 1 against the Raiders, Hill is a top-5 fantasy back. The Bengals love to run the football and are very good at it. Start Hill in all formats and leagues. He is poised to have a very big week in Oakland.
