Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
Kenyan Drake returned to action last week against the Bills and gained 100 yards on 16 carries. He looked healthy, which means he should resume his job as the lead back, with Chase Edmonds continuing to play a complementary role. Drake hasn’t been consistent this season, but in the games he’s played, he’s averaged 17.9 touches per game, giving him value.
This week, Drake faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing running backs. They held Drake to just 2.4 yards per carry a few weeks ago, so it’s not a great matchup for the Cardinals’ running backs. Drake should still get enough work to put up fringe RB2 numbers though, and he always has the potential to bust a big one. Consider him a bit of a boom-bust option this week.
Week 7 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Kenyan Drake had a monster game against the Cowboys last week in a blowout victory. He had 20 carries for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Much of that came on a 69-yard touchdown at the end of the game, but his playmaking ability is one of the primary reasons he was highly touted heading into the season.
This week, Drake faces a Seahawks defense that has been much better against the run than the pass. Some of that may be related to game script, as Seattle has jumped ahead in several contests, but regardless, they rank sixth in aFPA to opposing running backs, making a repeat performance unlikely for Drake. Start him with caution as an RB2 option.
Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys
Kenyan Drake found the end zone last week and got 19 touches, including one reception, against the Jets. However, Drake finished with just 62 yards and averaged 3.3 yards per carry. He’s averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season, and has looked less explosive than he did last year, and less explosive than his backup, Chase Edmonds.
This is a fair matchup for Drake, as the Cowboys rank 12th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Be wary of his snap count though. He’s been sticking around the mid-60% range, but Edmonds popped up to 45% last week. If Edmonds continues to go up and Drake starts to dip, it could be a bad sign for him long-term. With Drake still at the top of the depth chart, he has RB2 potential, but starting him isn’t without risk.
Week 5 at New York Jets
Kenyan Drake has really struggled so far this season, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and being held out of the end zone since Week 1. He had just 35 yards on 13 carries against a vulnerable Carolina defense last week, and his role is being encroached upon by Chase Edmonds.
This week, Drake faces a Jets defense that ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing running backs. If he gets a full workload, the opportunity should be there for him to thrive, but we thought the same thing a week ago. Fantasy owners should treat him as a high risk/reward RB2 option this week.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers
Kenyan Drake has had a productive, but underwhelming start to the season. He hasn’t scored since Week 1, and is averaging a modest 79.7 yards per game. He’s also getting 19.7 touches per game, however, which is encouraging for fantasy owners looking for him to break out. Eventually, he’s bound to find room against a vulnerable defense.
The Panthers are dead last in aFPA to opposing running backs, so there’s significant upside for Drake to have his big game this week. We have him ranked as a borderline top-10 option, and he should be active in all leagues. This is a good time to buy low.
Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions
Kenyan Drake had 95 yards on 20 carries and two receptions last week against Washington. It was two weeks in a row with at least 18 touches, a good sign for fantasy owners expecting him to be an RB1 for them. While he hasn’t had a huge game yet, be patient. Drake has gone up against two teams with very talented defensive lines, so it’s encouraging he’s done as well as he has.
This week, Drake might see a big game against the Lions, who just got torched by Aaron Jones for 168 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Packers running backs combined for 248 yards on 31 carries as they destroyed Detroit in the second half. Drake should have a good game against a vulnerable opponent, and we have him ranked as a fringe RB1 in all formats.
Week 2 vs. Washington Football Team
Kenyan Drake had a modest start to the season with 65 total yards, including a pair of receptions, and a rushing touchdown. Those aren’t elite numbers, but against one of 2019’s best defenses, it was encouraging just to see him get 18 total touches. If Drake continues to get that workload throughout the season, he’ll absolutely be worth his lofty draft price.
This week, Drake will face a Washington defense that held the Eagles’ running backs to just 55 yards on 16 carries last week. They have a strong defensive line that can be elite when healthy. Drake should fare better with a better offense around him and a healthier offensive line. The Eagles have been decimated. Still, expect Drake to have similar numbers to last week, with a chance to aid his rushing production with work in the receiving game and a decent shot at a touchdown. We have him as a fringe RB1 this week.
Week 1 at San Francisco 49ers
Kenyan Drake blossomed last year after a mid-season trade landed him in Arizona. In eight games with the Cardinals, he had 643 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, and added 28 receptions for 171 receiving yards. Over the course of a whole season, those numbers could explode if his usages stays at 18.9 touches per game.
Drake has a tough task to start the season. The 49ers were second in the league last year in aFPA to opposing running backs. Drake had a great game against the 49ers last year in his first game as a Cardinal with 162 total yards and a touchdown, but he was held to 67 rushing yards during their second meeting. Drake’s usage makes him a high-floor option and his big-play ability gives him a high ceiling, regardless of matchup, so fantasy owners should start him. We have him ranked as a solid RB2 to start the year.
Fantasy Upside
After withering away in Miami, Kenyan Drake found new life in Arizona following a mid-season trade (for what turned out to be a fifth-round pick) last season. In eight games with the Cardinals, Drake rushed for 643 yards (5.2 yards a carry) with eight touchdowns. He added another 171 yards on 28 receptions. A perfect fit in Kliff Kingsbury's system, Drake's versatility made him a movable chess piece once he got to the desert. During that eight-game run, Drake played 381 (79 percent) of 483 possible snaps. He handled 123 (85 percent) of the 144 carries and 35 (81 percent) of the 43 targets by the team's running backs during the span. As ESPN's Mike Clay noted, "That is full-on workhorse usage, and we should expect a similar role in 2020." In fact, the trade sending David Johnson to Houston locks Drake into a high-end featured role, and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins (received in return for Johnson) should open up the field even more for Drake both as a rusher and receiver. One last note here: Playing on the transition tag this season means Drake will have ample financial motivation when he hits the field this fall.
Fantasy Downside
If you're looking for some downside, Drake had struggled to emerge as more than a role player since joining the league in 2016 and his 817 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground were both career highs last season. For his career, he has 2,175 yards on the ground, and 1,107 through the air, with 23 touchdowns total.
2020 Bottom Line
Still, Drake is clearly a great fit in Arizona and his super-strong finish (Drake ran for a combined total of 303 yards and six touchdowns in Weeks 15 and 16 last season) is going to stick with fantasy owners. And it should. Those concerned about his ability to handle that role all season could invest in Chase Edmonds as a handcuff. But Drake is well-positioned to continue his role.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams
Kenyan Drake had another monster game last week in a victory over the Seahawks, carrying the ball 24 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He was nicked up during the game, but he returned and continued to look effective, so there are no concerns with his health going into the final week of the season. He has six touchdowns over his last two games and is averaging 15.9 carries per game since arriving in Arizona.
You can run on the Rams. They rank 16th in aFPA to opposing running backs this year and as long as you’re not running at Aaron Donald, running backs can get to the edge and do some damage. Drake has been too productive the last two weeks to ignore, and his touches have been high enough to raise his floor, despite being held to just 2.4 yards per carry the last time these two teams met. We have him as a solid RB2 option and he should be active in all leagues.
