What does Mark Ingram’s suspension mean for Alvin Kamara in fantasy drafts?

Mark Ingram is suspended for the first four games of the 2018 NFL season. Now, we must take a look at the impact this news on fantasy owners.

We will be seeing a lot more of Alvin Kamara at the beginning of the season.

The question is — will that be a good or bad situation for Kamara? It may seem silly to ask at first, but the two of them really operate as a one-two punch.

Yet in their case, it’s more like a one-one knockout blow. The two of them, as a committee, are just too much for opposing defenses to handle most the time.

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Let’s take a look at their (mind-boggling) statistics from last year. Per Pro Football Reference, Ingram had 1,540 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 2017. And Kamara had 1,554 total yards and 13 touchdowns — a moment of silence for the defenses they torched.

These numbers are unbelievable, and they are the result of the Saints having had not one, but two dynamic running backs to put into games last season.

It’s not just Kamara who is a good receiver, both of them are excellent runners and receivers. Having a backfield like that really wears down a defense throughout the duration of a game.

So the point is, yes — Kamara is a monster. And he deserves to be taken high in fantasy drafts regardless of Ingram’s suspension. However, it’s possible that Ingram’s presence in the backfield helped Kamara more than it hurt him.

Just keep that in mind before trading away your future for him. Also, note that Ingram is in a contract year. Simply put, it’s hard to tell right now how Ingram’s presence impacts Kamara’s performance.

One thing is for sure, Kamara is a great player who deserves the benefit of the doubt. But that doesn’t mean he can be completely trusted right now. Ever heard of the sophomore slump? Ahem, Todd Gurley.

Kamara, at his highest value, should currently be considered a high second-round pick in 10-12 team standard leagues, and possibly a first-rounder in PPR leagues.

Next: Mark Ingram is fighting an uphill battle with suspension

If you’re in a dynasty league or a keeper league and you like taking risks, Kamara might be worth the reach. Just keep in mind that though he is the future, it’s probably a good idea to have a little caution with him. If there’s anything we’ve learned throughout the years, it’s that running backs can always be replaced.