While everything from week one of the preseason tends to end up getting over-hyped since everyone is just desperate for game action to break down. One player who popped out of the box score on night one of busy preseason action was Patriots RB Jonas Gray. Gray showed he has the potential to be a fantasy football sleeper and could be a serious challenge to LeGarrette Blount for early-down snaps in New England.
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In my 32-team fantasy football preview which rolled out yesterday, I highlighted the Patriots backfield as what to watch in New England this preseason. For at least one game, there was plenty to see as Gray put on a show against the Packers running for 74 yards on seven carries and adding a two-point conversion after scoring the touchdown.
Most of Gray’s yards came on his long 55-yard touchdown run in the second quarter when he was still on the field with Jimmy Garoppolo. However, Gray worked extensively with the first team offense and Tom Brady taking the first six handoffs of the night.
Before we get too carried away, though, remember that LeGarrette Blount was injured for this game and did not play. Blount will be suspended for week one of the season as well, but when he returns, he’ll cut into Gray’s workload. Gray has also made a big splash in the fantasy football world before when he gouged the Colts for 201 yards and four touchdowns last season. As all his waiver-wire owners know, he then slept through his alarm clock, missed a meeting, and vanished into the Patriots’ dog house never to be seen again.
Last night, he re-emerged after dropping some weight this offseason, and he looks ready to challenge Blount for carries. Right now, Gray is the 51st running back being taken in drafts according to FantasyPros.com ADP, but that number is sure to rise. He makes a very nice depth addition at running back and has plenty of upside as a flex play as early as week one when he’ll start for the suspended Blount.
The way the Patriots system usually works, Gray won’t be a reliable RB2 unless a wave of injuries hits since he’ll be part of a rotation, but he definitely will be an option to play when bye week’s hit or as a flex option if he can carve out enough of a role with more performances like last night. His owners can only hope he got a new and improved alarm clock.