Fantasy Impact: C.J. Spiller Signs With The Saints

C.J. Spiller signs a 4 year $18M deal with the New Orleans Saints. Spiller joins fellow running backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson to complete the backfield in New Orleans. Last year Spiller played 9 games, and rushed for 300 yards and he caught 19 receptions for 125 yards and a TD.

Sep 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Spiller RB New Orleans Saints

This could be one of the best situations for Spiller. He’s going to a passing offense who utilizes their running backs in the passing game, which Spiller’s former team, the Buffalo Bills, failed to do. The Saints targeted their running backs 154 times in the passing game last year. The Saints have been looking for a dynamic passing down back to fill Darren Sproles’ role since he left.

The three years that Sproles was with the Saints he averaged 101 targets a season, and Spiller is a great candidate to fill Sproles’ role. Spiller is very explosive in space, and he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to do what he does best. He’s going to be a great player to own in PPR leagues next season because he’s going to soak up a lot of targets. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes as an RB1 in PPR leagues next season because he’s very talented.

Spiller didn’t get the opportunity to display his talents in Buffalo because he wasn’t used appropriately. The Bills ran him up the middle a lot, but Spiller is a dynamic passing down back that needs to be used in the passing game. Another reason why Spiller has been flying under the radar is that he’s been injured a lot of the course of his career, and that has affected his output. Spiller is going to be less likely to be injured with the Saints because they are not going to run him up the middle near as often, and he’s going to be catching a lot of dump off passes. Spiller is going to take a lot of less direct contact.

In redraft leagues Spiller is going to go in the middle rounds, and should be drafted as an RB2 or flex option for your fantasy team. He is going to be a trendy pick in weekly leagues next year. In dynasty, Spiller is very affordable to acquire if you need a running back. I think he could be had for a 2^nd round pick this year in most leagues.

Mark Ingram RB New Orleans Saints

Spiller signing with the Saints does not affect Ingram’s stock much in fantasy. The Saints paid Ingram the big bucks, and they plan to utilize him mostly in the run game. He is also going to get a fair amount of workload in the passing game because the quarterback Drew Brees likes to utilize his running backs in the passing game. Spiller is going to steal some targets on passing downs from Ingram, but they are always going to have a receiving back to steal targets, that’s just a facet to their offense. When Ingram was healthy last season he produced RB1 numbers. The Saints acquired Max Unger in a trade to help build their offensive line, and that should help Ingram’s output next year.

In redraft, Ingram should be drafted in the middle rounds as an RB2, who could possibly get your RB1 numbers. Mark Ingram has more value in dynasty then he does in redraft because he’s still kind of young at 26 years old. He is also a talented back who has a first round pedigree. Ingram is perfect for a contending team because he will hit the twilight of his career in a few years. If your team is rebuilding, then it might be a good idea to sell him because you can get multiple picks and pieces for him. By the time your team is built to win, Ingram will be too old to be productive.

Need Help with your dynasty team? Contact me on Twitter @bmatz08 and I will give you the guidance you need to make the best decisions on trades, drafts, and the waiver wire.

Next: Where Is DeMarco Murray In Our Top Ten?

More from FanSided

Home/Fantasy Football