Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
The Cowboys controlled the clock and scoreboard last week, leaving T.J. Yeldon with eight carries for 41 yards and three catches for 29 additional yards. The Jags offense had only 48 snaps in the humiliating loss and, with Jacksonville playing from behind in two consecutive road games, Yeldon has totaled just 18 rushing attempts. At home on Sunday, he’ll be facing a Houston defense that allows less than 100 yards per game on the ground. Yeldon makes for an RB2 option.
Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys
Filling in for Leonard Fournette again last Sunday in Kansas City, T.J. Yeldon ran for 53 yards on 10 carries and caught eight passes for 69 yards and a TD, already his third receiving score. The Jaguars were behind the entire afternoon which led to the ground game being abandoned and Blake Bortles throwing 61 passes. In the past three contests, Yeldon has registered at least 90 total yards and is averaging a healthy 4.4 yards-per-carry. The Cowboys possess the eighth best defense, but Alfred Blue of the Texans totaled over 100 yards last week out of the backfield. Consider Yeldon an RB2 option.
Week 5 at Kansas City Chiefs
Leonard Fournette left last week’s contest versus the Jets in the first half, which helped T.J. Yeldon have another good fantasy afternoon. Yeldon ran for 52 yards on 18 attempts and caught three passes for 48 yards. He scored on a 31-yard grab and capped off the Jaguars' win with a one-yard run with just 25 seconds remaining in the game. It looks like Fournette’s hamstring injury is going to linger for a while, which could be a good thing for Yeldon owners. The Chiefs are allowing 123 rushing yards per game, so consider Yeldon an RB2 play.
Week 4 vs. New York Jets
With Leonard Fournette out again last Sunday with a sore hamstring, T.J. Yeldon and his ailing ankle got the start. He finished with 44 rushing yards but was a bigger part of the offense with 46 receiving yards on a team-high six receptions. Fournette is, once again, expected to be back this week. Be sure to monitor the injury report, but if Fournette is able to play, Yeldon should return to your bench.
Week 3 vs. Tennessee Titans
Getting the start in place of Leonard Fournette last week, T.J. Yeldon carried the ball 10 times for 58 yards versus New England. He also caught two passes for 13 yards. With Fournette out, the Jaguars turned to Blake Bortles and the passing attack for 45 passes versus just 24 rushes. Fournette is expected back on Sunday, so Yeldon should return to your bench, especially with him be hobbled by a sore ankle this week.
Week 2 vs. New England Patriots
Leonard Fournette left the opener at the Giants with a hamstring injury and T.J. Yeldon made the most of the opportunity. In the win, Yeldon carried the ball 14 times for 51 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards, including a TD. The Jaguars ran for 101 yards at New England in January, but most of that came on the legs of Fournette. If Fournette is unable to play on Sunday, Yeldon makes for an RB2 option at home versus the Patriots.
Week 1 at New York Giants
As long as Leonard Fournette is healthy, T.J. Yeldon won’t see too many touches. He is likely only on rosters as a handcuff to Fournette, so there is no reason for him to be started in Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Leonard Fournette is locked into the lead role heading into his second season as a pro, but after Chris Ivory shuffled off to Buffalo, Yeldon is in line for an increased workload. Yeldon is a solid third-down back who possesses good pass-catching skills. As Bleacher Report reminded readers, Yeldon's 2017 stats were largely boosted by one performance against the Colts, when he rushed for 122 yards on nine carries, including a 58-yard touchdown run. Outside of that game, his stats fell in line with Fournette and Ivory in the 3.5 yard-per-carry range. Still, as a third-down back, Yeldon could have a role.
Fantasy Downside
Of course, Corey Grant is also worth watching here after the Jaguars unleashed the speedy rusher/return man during the first half of the AFC Championship Game. But Grant's playing time was fairly inconsistent during the regular season and playoffs.
Fantasy Downside
Ivory's departure could open the door to more work for Yeldon (and perhaps Grant), but nobody should be in a rush to secure his services. As things stand now, there are better receiving/satellite backs out there than Yeldon, whose stand-alone value seems minimal given the Jaguars' desire to lean heavily on Fournette. That said, Fournette could emerge as a viable handcuff should the worse happen for Fournette owners.
AFC Conference Championship at New England Patriots
T.J. Yeldon only received touches last week against Pittsburgh because Leonard Fournette got nicked up. But he had 5 carries for 20 yards and a score and also caught 3 passes for 57 yards. Eight touches will not win you your fantasy game, but if Jacksonville falls behind, as expected, Yeldon could get some extra play.
Wild Card Round vs. Buffalo Bills
T.J. Yeldon got just 4 carries for 5 yards last week and hasn't been worth starting unless the Jags have been in catch-up mode or if Leonard Fournette is playing. The Jaguars don't figure to be in catch-up mode and Fournette is playing. Yeldon shouldn't be in your lineup.
