Week 3 vs. Miami Dolphins
Kenyan Drake had only nine yards on seven carries last week against the Steelers, but he caught five of six targets for 46 yards in the passing game. Drake was on the field for 71% of the team’s offensive snaps last week with Josh Jacobs inactive, and 48% in Week 1 with Jacobs in the game. Regardless of Jacobs’ status, Drake has a role in this offense.
This week, if Jacobs doesn’t play, Drake has significant upside against a Dolphins defense that allowed three rushing touchdowns last week against Buffalo. Even if Jacobs is active, expect Drake to continue to get targets and supplemental carries, making him an interesting flex option, particularly in PPR formats.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenyan Drake played 48% of the snaps Monday night against the Ravens, carried the ball six times, and caught five of five targets for a total of 70 yards from scrimmage. That looks like a reasonable expectation for him moving forward and seems like the role he was brought in to play.
Drake has a tough matchup against the Steelers this week, who ranked fifth in aFPA to opposing running backs last year. They held the Bills to just 16 points in Week 1 and it’ll be tough for the Raiders to put up numbers against that front-seven. The Steelers should keep the Raiders in passing situations this week, which should allow Drake to rack up targets again, giving him some low-end flex upside in PPR formats.
Update: With Josh Jacobs out for Week 2, Drake stands for some increased volume and upside. Jon Gruden said he thinks this is an opportunity for Peyton Barber, so don't get too excited, but Drake definitely has some flex value with some potential increased touches.
Week 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Kenyan Drake was productive last season with 1,092 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns as the starting running back in Arizona. He’ll take a backseat to Josh Jacobs in Las Vegas, but should still get quality looks in a complementary and passing-down role. There’s too much risk to start him in Week 1 since we don’t know how the workload is going to shake out, but he’s worth rostering and keeping an eye on in case he earns a larger role. He’s also probably one of the best and most legitimate handcuffs in fantasy football, should something happen to Jacobs. For now, however, sit him.
Fantasy Upside
Kenyan Drake joins a Raiders team that already had a running back getting a full workload in Josh Jacobs, so it’s a curious choice for the veteran. There’s not a lot of upside for Drake to see numbers like he did last year as the main back in Arizona – 1,092 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns – but if your expectations are “functional backup” then there’s hope in Las Vegas. The team has indicated they’d like to use Drake as a regular part of the passing game, and there might be opportunity there. Jalen Richard and Devontae Booker combined for 44 targets last year and Drake could see the bulk of those and cut into Jacobs’ 45 targets from last year. He also could see much of the 115 carries Booker and Richard had.
Fantasy Downside
Obviously, the bad outweighs the good for Drake. His usage is going to go down from last year, barring an injury to Jacobs. He’ll be a supplemental player and should be considered with players like Nyheim Hines and handcuffs like Latavious Murray, instead of the fringe first-round target he was even just a year ago.
2021 Bottom Line
Drake’s late-9th round ADP makes him worth considering as a depth option in most leagues, but he’s probably a little too rich for me if I’m thinking of him as solely a handcuff – which might be the way to see him. He does have high upside if Jacobs were to miss time, and Jacobs has dealt with injuries his first two seasons, though usually playing through them. If Drake dips down into the 11th round or later, I’m more interested, but the upside is there if you don’t expect too much.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams
Kenyan Drake scored the team’s only touchdown last week in a bitter loss to the 49ers. He had a full workload with 18 carries and a pair of receptions, but ended up with just 50 total yards from scrimmage as the offense struggled to move the ball. Drake has a nice floor in most weeks, due to his workload, though he’s only had 100 or more rushing yards in two games this season. His 10 touchdowns have helped him stay fantasy relevant.
This week, Drake faces a tough Rams defense that ranks third in the league in rushing yards allowed per game, and fifth in aFPA to opposing running backs. Scary matchup for a guy who already has some ceiling concerns, but we have him as a low-end RB2 option anyway due to workload.
Week 16 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Kenyan Drake was limited to just 10 carries and a pair of receptions for 40 yards last week in a victory over the Eagles. It was concerning to see Chase Edmonds out-touch him – 11 carries and three receptions – but Drake has been the main back all season, and it’s too early to be too alarmed. The Cardinals were in passing sets a lot and that favors Edmonds’ skill set.
This week, Drake faces a 49ers defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Game script should be more positive for the Cardinals this week facing the 49ers’ banged-up offense, so expect Drake’s touches to be more in line with his season average this week. We have him ranked as a low-end RB2 option.
Week 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyan Drake had another quality outing last week with 23 carries and a reception for a total of 90 yards and a touchdown. Drake hasn’t been very active in the passing game this year – just 24 targets all season – but he has nine touchdowns and averages 16.75 carries per game. That gives him a high floor for fantasy owners wanting steady production from the RB2 spot.
This week, Drake faces an Eagles defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Drake should see his usual workload, making him a solid RB2 option in all league formats.
Week 14 at New York Giants
Kenyan Drake had 10 carries and a pair of receptions for a total of 58 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Rams last week. It was the least amount of touches Drake has had all season, but it was still double-digits and he still turned in a solid day overall, thanks to the touchdown. Drake is a high-floor option due to his workload, and it was a tough matchup where the Cardinals fell behind.
This week Drake faces a Giants defense that ranks 16th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Chris Carson had a strong day against them last week and the Giants’ offense isn’t prolific enough to expect the Cardinals to abandon the run this week. As such, Drake should get a full workload and put up quality RB2 numbers.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Kenyan Drake was held to 3.5 yards per carry against the Patriots last week, but he found the end zone twice and now has seven touchdowns in 10 games. He’s averaging 18.3 touches per game, making him a solid RB2 option every week, based on workload alone.
Drake has a tough matchup this week against a Rams defense that ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing running backs this season. Still, expect another busy day for Drake, giving him a solid floor. We have him ranked as a low-end RB2 option and he should be active in most leagues.
Week 12 at New England Patriots
Kenyan Drake was held to just 2.6 yards per carry against a tough Seattle run defense last week, but he found the end zone and added 31 receiving yards on four receptions. His 15 touches are encouraging, particularly after getting 17 the week before. When Drake is healthy, it seems he’ll continue to get the bulk of the workload in the backfield, with Chase Edmonds serving as a complementary back.
This week, Drake faces a Patriots defense that ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing running backs. With a nice matchup in store for him, expect Drake to put up quality RB2 numbers as the Cardinals try to come back from a tough loss in Week 11. As long as Drake is getting double-digit touches, he has value. Start him.
