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Fantasy Football: Evaluating RB Ben Tate’s New Home In Minnesota

By Bruce Matson

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Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Ben Tate (44) looks for running room against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Tate has had an interesting week. He was cut by the Browns and picked up by the Vikings in about a 48 hour time period. The Browns cut bait with Tate after he complained about the amount of carries he received during their Week 11 loss against the Texans. Tate was losing reps and being out performed by rookie running backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Since week 6 when Center Alex Mack was lost for the season due to a knee injury, Tate has been averaging 1.70 yards per carry.

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Ben Tate, a 2nd round pick (58 overall) from the University of Auburn, was drafted with high expectations by the Houston Texans in 2010 but he took a back seat to Arian Foster. Tate spent his tenure with the Texans often injured and playing second fiddle to RB Arian Foster. He was signed to a two year deal by the Browns in 2014, raising eyebrows to fantasy owners because it appeared that Tate was finally getting his shot as a workhorse running back. It looked like those dreams were materializing until he got injured in week 1 (knee) and had to miss weeks 2-4. During that time span, rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West ran away with the job and proved they were more than serviceable.

Tate’s new home with the Minnesota Vikings is very intriguing because they too have an emerging rookie running back in Jerrick McKinnon. The Vikings playoff chances are very slim, and picking up an older running back with an injury history seems counterproductive when it comes to building for the future. Jerrick McKinnon is a very talented running back and I don’t see the Vikings coaching staff wanting to stifle his development, so I can see Tate in more of a change of pace role with goal line opportunities.

Ben Tate’s Fantasy Value Going Forward

Tate is going to play second fiddle to Jerrick McKinnon, and he is more than likely going to recieve the goaline work and some third down opportunities. Tate is an explosive player when he is healthy, which means he can generate plenty of fantasy points on a limited amount of touches. He is still worth a roster spot on your fantasy team, and if you own him you just have to be patient with him and monitor how he is being used. There’s a good chance he won’t get many touches due to the fact he has to learn his new offense. He’s a hold in dynasty leagues because his value has depreciated and Jerrick McKinnon is the back you would want to own from the Vikings. His contract isn’t very expensive, and if the Vikings don’t like what they see in Tate, they will move on from him in the offseason. Tate is rosterable, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting him until I saw him getting at least 10 touches a game. That said, Tate could be a surprise player for your fantasy team in the fantasy playoffs.

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