Week 16 at Seattle Seahawks
Kenyan Drake was a monster last week against the Browns, carrying the ball 22 times for 137 yards and four touchdowns! It was the first time Drake found the end zone since his first game with the Cardinals back on Halloween and it resulted in the Cardinals’ first win in eight games. Drake averaged 6.2 yards per carry after just in 2.8 over his previous two games combined.
This week, a repeat performance would be a lot to ask against the Seahawks, but Drake should still be a solid fantasy option. Seattle ranks 12th in aFPA to opposing running backs, but Drake has a high floor due to the workload he’s likely to get. Drake has had no fewer than 14 touches in every game since arriving in Arizona and he’s firmly supplanted David Johnson as the lead back. We have him inside our top 20 this week, making him a solid RB2 option in all league formats.
Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
Kenyan Drake has had a rough couple of weeks, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry over his last two games. He has managed to add 50 yards on five receptions over that span, but fantasy owners hoping for Drake to continue the production he had in his first game as a Cardinal back on Halloween have been disappointed thus far.
The Browns rank 24th in aFPA to opposing running backs this year, so there’s potential for Drake to rebound after three difficult matchups. He’s risky, but worth considering as a low-end RB2 or a flex option if you need some upside. The Browns let Joe Mixon run wild a week ago and Drake is averaging 17.2 touches per game since arriving in Arizona, and that should give him a high floor in the best matchups he’s had as a Cardinal.
Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenyan Drake has completely taken the job away from David Johnson with an average of 18 total touches per game since arriving in Arizona. Drake struggled against the Rams last week with just 31 yards on 13 carries, though he did add 20 yards on a pair of receptions. His workload should continue, however, making him a quality option for the rest of the season in deeper leagues.
This week, he has a tough matchup against the Steelers. Only the 49ers rank higher in aFPA to opposing running backs this year, so fantasy owners should consider Drake a low-end RB3 or flex option in most league formats.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Kenyan Drake has pretty much stepped into the primary ball-carrier role since he was acquired less than a month ago from the Dolphins in a mid-season trade. He’s averaging 19 touches per game, including catching 16 balls over three games as the Cardinals’ starter. Drake is also averaging 5.17 yards per carry as a Cardinal, though he was held to 80 yards on 22 total touches against the 49ers before the bye last week.
This week, Drake faces a Rams defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing running backs this season and just gave up a pair of touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving – to Mark Ingram, who also had over 100 yards. Drake should continue to be featured prominently in the offense, making him a good bet for solid RB2 numbers. We have him ranked right around our top-20 this week in an average matchup.
Week 11 at San Francisco 49ers
Kenyan Drake only had 41 yards last week, but he had 10 carries and six receptions compared to only six total touches for David Johnson. The Buccaneers are very good against the run this season, so it’s not shocking Drake didn’t produce in a tough matchup, but it’s still a little bit of a question mark how the carries are going to be divvied up as Johnson gets healthier and the season comes to a close.
Drake carved up this very same 49er defense just two weeks ago to the tune of 162 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The 49ers have been great defensively all season, and they rank third in aFPA to opposing running backs. Drake has some upside and can be considered a fringe RB2 option in deep leagues, but fantasy owners should probably hold off on the Cardinals’ run-game until we get a larger sample size of the two backs together.
Week 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenyan Drake had a fantastic first game with the Cardinals. After arriving only days prior in a trade, Drake carried the ball 15 times for 110 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers last week. He added four receptions for 52 yards receiving and was one of the biggest fantasy surprises of the week. Dolphins fans who complained for the last several seasons about Drake being misused definitely feel vindicated heading into Week 10.
This week, Drake may struggle to see that many touches again. The Buccaneers are terrible against the pass, but are ranked first in aFPA to opposing running backs this season and have a potent enough offense to keep the Cardinals throwing the ball. Drake will be hard to sit after a breakout performance, but with David Johnson expected to be back in action as well, 19 touches seem unlikely. Treat Drake with caution, and we have him ranked as an RB3 option this week.
Week 9 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Kenyan Drake is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry this year, but that’s been on a terrible Miami Dolphins team with a horrible offensive line. The Dolphins have failed to use Drake effectively throughout his entire tenure in Miami, and the Cardinals will look to maximize his usage while their own stable of backs are shelved for at least the short term with injuries. Drake should fit the offense as a dynamic playmaker with solid hands coming out of the backfield. Despite playing for the Dolphins, he’s caught 22 balls on 33 targets this season.
This week, Drake faces a 49ers defense that gave up big numbers to Christian McCaffrey last week, but has been dominant overall. They rank second in aFPA to opposing running backs, making it hard to get excited about Drake’s potential in his first games as a Cardinal. Fantasy owners should grab him off waivers if possible, but leave him on the bench in a difficult matchup.
Week 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenyan Drake remains on the Dolphins roster despite trade rumors. But it looks like Miami is switching to Mark Walton for most of its production. Walton out-snapped Drake, playing 38 snaps compared to Drake's 30. He also out-touched Drake, finishing with 15 touches compared to Drake's nine. Drake has been OK for most of the season, but he's not much more than a low-end flex play this week against the Steelers.
Week 7 at Buffalo Bills
Kenyan Drake has been rumored in trade talks, but if anything happens expect it to occur next week. He's been tied in trade talks for most of the season and continues to play, so this week should be no different. That being said, Drake hasn't been a strong fantasy option this season. He just broke the double-digit mark in PPR leagues last week. He's been held without a touchdown all season despite playing at least 50% of the offensive snaps in every game. He gets a decent matchup against the Bills, but with Miami using Drake, Mark Walton and Kalen Ballage it's hard to see much room for production when it comes to Drake. He's not much more than a low-end flex play.
Week 6 vs. Washington Redskins
Kenyan Drake had 73 scrimmage yards the last time we saw him, which isn't terrible. And as he comes off of a bye week, he'll face a Redskins defense that's allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs. Drake is only averaging 55 scrimmage yards per game, so his upside is a little limited. But in a nice matchup, he ends up being a solid flex play this week. He's easily the best option among Miami's running backs and should get work both as a runner and a receiver.
