Week 1 vs. Oakland
Mark Ingram was productive in 2015 before suffering a serious shoulder injury that limited him to just 12 games. He rushed for 769 yards on 166 carries, with six touchdowns, while also adding 50 catches for 405 yards. The receptions and the receiving yards were a career-high for Ingram, who said this offseason that he wants to retain his role in the passing game. Ranked as our RB9 in standard leagues and RB8 in PPR formats, Ingram is a low-end RB1 for Week 1 against the Raiders.
Fantasy Upside
Mark Ingram rushed for 769 yards and six touchdowns on 166 carries over 12 games for the Saints last season. He also caught a career-high 50 passes for 405 yards after having caught just 53 passes in his four seasons prior. That production led to Ingram finishing as fantasy's RB15, and if he retains his role in the Saints' passing game, he'll have appeal as a low-end RB1 in 2016. It's unlikely Ingram will face fierce competition from C.J. Spiller, who reportedly is still behind Tim Hightower in the Saints running back rotation. Thus, Sean Payton could be forced to lean on Ingram yet again in 2016.
Fantasy Downside
The biggest threat to Ingram's fantasy potential is his inability to stay healthy. He was having a solid 2015 season before suffering an AC sprain during a Week 10 game against the Redskins. He suffered the same injury in a December matchup with the Panthers and landed on injured reserve after having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Ingram should be healthy for training camp, but he has played in all 16 games just once in his career.
2016 Bottom Line
Health is always a concern with Ingram, who will likely miss a game or two based on his injury history. But he proved he can be effective in the passing game and is a good bet for 900-950 rushing yards and 7-10 touchdowns, while adding 45-50 receptions for 350-400 receiving yards and another 3-5 scores. Ingram currently ranks as our RB8, and is a value at his current third-round ADP.
Week 13 vs Carolina
Mark Ingram rushed nine times for 52 yards and added six catches for 45 additional yards in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Texans. He's averaged 4.62 yards per carry this season but there have been times when Sean Payton limits Ingram's touches. With the Saints taking on the Panthers' outstanding defense this week, perhaps Payton will be forced to rely on Ingram and his running game this Sunday. Ranked as our RB6 for Week 13, continue to view Ingram as a RB1. He should continue to produce, even if Payton stymies his overall workload.
Week 12 at Houston
Mark Ingram rushed five times for 77 yards and also caught three passes for an additional 13 yards in the Saints Week 10 loss to the Redskins. He had a 70-yard run that helped set up a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks on the first drive, but was held in check the rest of the game. Ingram now has at least 80 total yards in four straight games, but was limited in practice this week due to a shoulder injury. He should play Sunday versus Houston, which ranks 23rd in fantasy against running backs. Ranked as our RB5 for Week 12, start Ingram with confidence.
Week 10 at Washington
Mark Ingram rushed 21 times for just 52 yards and caught 4-of-5 targets for an additional 42 yards in the Saints Week 9 loss to the Titans. Ingram left fantasy owners frustrated as he failed to convert on both of his goal-line carries. They watched as Drew Brees scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to vulture another goal-line score from Ingram. The good news is C.J. Spiller is a complete non-factor in Sean Payton's offense, meaning Ingram remains a RB1 for the foreseeable future. That will include this week, where we have him ranked as our RB3 for Week 10 against the Redskins. Start Ingram with confidence.
Week 9 vs. Tennessee
Mark Ingram rushed 16 times for 80 yards in the Saints Week 8 win over the Giants, while also adding four receptions for an additional 39 yards. Now on pace for 1,060 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns, Ingram's fantasy stock got a boost when Khiry Robinson suffered a season-ending injury. Now maybe Ingram can receive the goal line carries Robinson had been vulturing. Ranked as our RB3 in standard leagues, Ingram is a legit RB1 for Sunday's matchup with the Titans.
Week 8 vs. New York Giants
Mark Ingram rushed 14 times for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 7 win over the Colts. He also added two catches for five yards and could have had a monster day had he not been vultured for two scores by Khiry Robinson. Locked in as New Orleans' lead back, Ingram will face the No. 17 fantasy defense against running backs when the Saints host the Giants this Sunday. Ingram ranks as our RB9 in standard leagues and will be a low-end RB1 this weekend.
Week 7 at Indianapolis
Mark Ingram rushed 20 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns while also adding three catches for 10 yards in the Saints Week 6 win over the Falcons. Ingram wasn't effective against Atlanta's improved run defense, but fantasy owners aren't complaining after he reached pay dirt twice. While his ceiling looks limited, Ingram remains the Saints No. 1 back and continues to be a RB2 option moving forward. Ranked as our RB12 for Week 8, Ingram should be in your lineup for Sunday's game against the Colts and their 23rd-ranked fantasy defense against RBs.
Week 6 vs. Atlanta
Mark Ingram rushed 12 times for 57 yards while catching 2-of-3 targets for 17 yards in the Saints Week 5 loss to the Eagles. His fantasy day came to a screeching halt after the Saints fell behind big in the second half and attempted to play catch-up. The good news is he remains the clear No. 1 back in New Orleans despite Khiry Robinson and C.J. Spiller mixing in throughout games. Ingram ranks as our RB8 for Week 6 and is a solid RB1 against Atlanta's No. 29-ranked fantasy defense against running backs.
Week 5 at Philadelphia
Mark Ingram rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries and also caught 6-of-7 targets for 51 yards in the Saints Week 4 win over the Cowboys. It would have been a bigger fantasy night for Ingram had he not had a touchdown overturned and then subsequently vultured by Khiry Robinson on the next play. Through four weeks, Ingram is on pace for 184 carries, 816 yards and eight touchdowns. He'll face fantasy's No. 1 defense against running backs but he's still a low-end RB1 option for Week 5. He currently ranks as our RB7 for Sunday's tilt with the Eagles.
