Week 10 vs. Houston
Yeldon got just seven carries - compared to 18 for Chris Ivory - but did have 33 yards and also caught five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. It appears Yeldon will serve as more of a third-down back moving forward, which makes him valuable in PPR leagues, but not much more. Yeldon isn't worth much more than a flex play in his current role, even against a soft Houston run defense.
Week 9 at Kansas City
With Jacksonville behind from the opening toss last week, the ground game was non-existent. Yeldon saw just three carries, though he did have 20 yards rushing. He did his damage through the air with four catches for 36 yards. Stuck in a time share with Chris Ivory, Yeldon just isn't going to get enough touches to be a fantasy factor. Perhaps a change in offensive coordinators will change that, but we'll have to wait and see.
Week 8 vs. Jacksonville
Yeldon had just six carries for 24 yards and one catch for four yards last week, in what was a blah game against Oakland. His seven touches were equal to that of Chris Ivory, offering no separation between the two in this timeshare. Tennessee ranks in the top half of the league in points allowed to running backs, and with neither Ivory or Yeldon likely to approach even 15 touches, neither is even a decent flex play.
Week 7 vs. Oakland
Just like that, the Jags decided to go with Yeldon has the secondary back last week and he got just six carries for 21 yards to go along with one reception for five yards. Ivory for 11 carries for 32 yards and a score and had two receptions as well. That's not a good sign moving forward for Yeldon, who most certainly isn't going to get the short-yardage duties in this situation and could be losing his lead role. Even though Oakland has been bad in run defense and given up five rushing TDs to running backs, the shared touches should be a concern with Yeldon this week, especially given the distribution last week.
Week 6 at Chicago
Yeldon was the much more effective back in Jacksonville's game before the bye, producing 123 total yards on 18 touches. That should add up to more playing time than Chris Ivory, but Ivory could still vulture some touchdowns. Yeldon has also had at least four receptions in three of the four games, making him a more solid PPR play. Other than a game against Dallas, Chicago's run defense has been decent. The Bears have given up four rushing TDs to running backs. Yeldon should be a low-end No. 2 back in PPR leagues or a decent flex play in all formats.
Week 4 vs. Indianapolis
Yeldon picked up just 17 yards on six carries last week and actually increased his yards per carry average. That's not good. He also had just 11 yards on two catches as Chris Ivory returned and forced Yeldon into a secondary role. While Indianapolis is 29th in the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs, neither Jacksonville running back is worth a play right now.
Week 3 vs. Baltimore
Yeldon got just seven carries for 28 yards last week, as the Jaguars stuck with their M.O. of starting slowly. He did catch eight passes, but it was for just 10 yards. That gives him 12 receptions in the first two weeks but for 40 yards. Cleveland gouged Baltimore's run defense last week, but at this point, it doesn't appear Yeldon is capable of doing that. He should get at least 15 touches in this game, which puts him in line to be a No. 2 back based on volume, not production.
Week 2 at San Diego
Yeldon didn't exactly light the world on fire with 39 yards on 21 carries. He did catch four passes for 30 yards on six targets and scored to salvage something of an effort, but it wasn't what anyone had in mind with Chris Ivory out. Kansas City's backs were a very big part of the win over the Chargers last week, so Yeldon could have an opportunity to bounce back this week. Give Yeldon another shot this week. He had 82 yards from scrimmage against the Chargers last season. He should be a decent low-end No. 1 starter or solid No. 2.
Week 1 vs. Green Bay
Yeldon should get the majority of third-down play for the Jags despite sharing time with Chris Ivory. Ivory also is dealing with a calf injury. That could boost Yeldon's snaps as well. That said, the presence of another solid back limits Yeldon's upside to 10 to 15 touches per game. And the Packers allowed the fourth-fewest receptions by opposing running backs last season. Plan accordingly.
2016 Fantasy Outlook
Injuries limited Yeldon to 12 games last season, but he produced as a nice low-end No. 2 option most games, finishing with 182 carries for 740 yards and two scores, adding 36 catches on 46 targets for another 279 yards and a score. The addition of Chris Ivory in free agency is troublesome, but Yeldon should still see around 250 touches if he can stay on the field. Ivory might take away the short-yardage touches, which will hurt Yeldon's scoring opportunities, but he catches the ball well enough to keep some value. His ADP has placed him at 33 among running backs and 89 overall. Grab him as your No. 3 option at RB and hope he exceeds expectations.
