Week 2 vs. Buffalo Bills
Jordan Howard was ineffective in Week 1, rushing eight times for seven yards. The funny part is Howard only played on nine snaps, which means he ran the ball on every play but one when he stepped on the field. Howard scored a touchdown on a short goal line carry, and that appears to be his only value moving forward. Myles Gaskin has emerged as the back to own in Miami moving forward.
Week 1 at New England Patriots
Jordan Howard found a new home this offseason in Miami where he'll be teamed up with Matt Breida. Miami was a running back wasteland in 2019 as Ryan Fitzpatrick led this team in rushing yards. Even if you combine all seven running backs who had a carry for Miami in 2019, they still only combine for 833 rushing yards. And only one running back (Kalen Ballage) had more than one touchdown on the season. All of that is to say, Howard isn't special, and will likely also struggle in Miami. He's an even worse play this week in a brutal matchup against the Patriots. He's not much more than a low-end RB3 play.
Fantasy Upside
Jordan Howard left a crowded Eagles backfield and joined a less crowded one in Miami where he should be penciled in as the team’s starter. Howard should get early-down and goal-line work as a bruising running back. He turns 25 this season, and has shown potential in his NFL career so far with two 1,000-yard seasons. His overall numbers in 2019 won’t shock you, but he played well considering he had a lesser role. He should be back to being a 200+ carry back in 2020 after finishing 2019 with just 119. Miami also made improvements to its offensive line signing Ted Karras and selecting Austin Jackson (1st round) and Robert Hunt (2nd round) in the NFL Draft.
Fantasy Downside
Howard joins a Dolphins team that had Ryan Fitzpatrick as its leading rusher a year ago. While Miami did bring in help on the line, two projected starters will be rookies, leading to inexperience and growing pains. Howard also has no value as a receiver. Because of that, we could see Matt Breida steal some playing time away from Howard this season.
2020 Bottom Line
Howard isn’t a sexy pick in fantasy football. His skillset is limited, making him a low-ceiling type of player. But he should have a high floor and could bring some consistency to your lineup with a few RB2-type performances. He’s not the kind of player you want in your lineup week-to-week, but he should be a solid bye week filler as an RB3.
Week 17 at New York Giants
Even with rookie Miles Sanders playing well, we expect Jordan Howard to have a key role in his return to the lineup. Howard was on fire before he was injured and although Sanders will be the primary back, Howard will get a minimum of 10 touches and possibly has many a 15.
Howard will face the Giants who are ranked 14th in aFPA to the running backs. He does have some value this week as the Eagles will ride their running backs in Week 17. Start Howard as an RB3 this Sunday.
Week 11 vs New England
Jordan Howard has had two straight games with 20+ touches even though he is only played 48% of the team's snaps the last game. Howard seems to be the workhorse at this time but we know with the Eagles that can change at any time. Also, Darren Sproles is back which takes some playing time away from Howard too.
The Eagles face the Patriots who are 4th in aFPA to running backs. Expect Howard to get 15 touches and that will be enough to rank him as a high-end RB3 or flex for Week 11. Put him in your starting lineup.
Week 9 vs Chicago
Jordan Howard had a season-high 24 touches last week and played 73% of the offensive snaps. The results were 111 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Miles Sanders, who usually shares time with Howard, was banged up which led to more usage of Howard.
The Bears are up and rank 12th in aFPA to running backs. With a fairly neutral matchup, we like Howard as a low-end RB2 in all leagues and formats. Chicago has been very good against the pass so expect the Eagles to use their running backs to counter that.
Week 8 at Buffalo
Jordan Howard had 13 touches last week against Dallas. But he only played 38% of the snaps. It's been hit or miss with the Eagles running backs as the "hot hand" usually gets the touches and playing time.
Howard will face the Bills who are 25th in aFPA to running backs. We expect the Eagles to try to use their running backs more on the road to protect struggling quarterback Carson Wentz.
Start Howard as a RB3 in both standard and PPR leagues for Week 8. We expect more touches and more snaps for him against Buffalo.
Week 7 at Dallas
The Eagles pretty much have a two-headed monster at running back with Jordan Howard getting about 15 touches per game. Howard was actually on the field a lot more than Miles Sanders this past week but that has fluctuated. Despite the number of snaps, Howard only finished with 49 yards.
The Eagles face the Cowboys who are 30th in aFPA to running backs. The good matchup is always hurt by the uncertainty of who is going to get the playing time and snaps. Howard rates an RB3 or flex for Week 7. Start him in leagues with big starting lineups.
Week 6 at Minnesota
Jordan Howard scored a touchdown for the third straight game and now has five in that span. He isn't the dominant back. Nobody is on the roster, but the touchdowns have been raising his fantasy value each week. Howard had fewer snaps than Miles Sanders did this past Sunday so it really is a week-to-week situation with the Eagles running backs.
This week, the Eagles face the Vikings who are third in aFPA to running backs so it won't be easy for any of the Philly backs. Howard is still the best play of the two because he has been producing the best results. Start him as an RB3 for Week 6 against Minnesota.
Week 5 vs New York Jets
Jordan Howard had a huge night last week 115 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. It appears he has surpassed Miles Sanders now as the best fantasy option in the Eagles backfield but that could change quickly as coach Doug Pederson said Philly will go with the hot hand and that's Howard for now. However, don't confuse that with Howard being the featured back.
The Jets are up next and are ranked eighth in aFPA to running backs. New York's defense has been okay early in the season, especially against the running game.
Howard really fits into a fantasy roster as a high-end flex or RB3 for Week 5. The Eagles seem to have a new fantasy star each week so it has become one of the harder teams to predict.
