Sneaky fantasy football flex Week 2: Darren Sproles
The Philadelphia Eagles are fully committed to a backfield committee, but Darren Sproles is line up to be a fantasy factor in Week 2.
Their leading rusher from the previous season has not been brought back for five straight years now, and the Philadelphia Eagles are firmly committed to using multiple running backs. Darren Sproles is the lone back to even play 40 percent of the snaps in any of Doug Pederson’s three full seasons as head coach, and the veteran came back for another run this year.
Week 1 was much of the same for Philadelphia, with no running back seeing more than 36 of their 75 offensive snaps against the Washington Redskins (48 percent). Rookie Miles Sanders led the way with those 36 snaps, followed by Sproles with 23 snaps as he had 12 touches (nine carries for 47 yards, three catches for 16 yards).
In Week 2, the Eagles will take on the Atlanta Falcons. Vegas thinks it’ll be a high-scoring affair, with an over-under sitting at 51.5. So it’s safe to say there will be plenty of passing on Sunday night, and then there’s this nugget regarding Atlanta’s defense.
The Atlanta Falcons have surrendered the most receptions to opposing running backs every year since HC Dan Quinn joined the team.
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 12, 2019
2015: 118
2016: 109
2017: 107
2018: 118
In Week 1, the Falcons gave up two receptions for nine yards to Vikings’ running back Dalvin Cook. But quarterback Kirk Cousins only had 10 pass attempts in the game, as Minnesota got out a quick early lead and led 28-0 going into the fourth quarter. It’s safe to assume Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will finish in the 30-40 pass attempt range on Sunday night.
Sproles’ fantasy value has always rested on his production as a pass catcher. Injuries have shortened the last two seasons for him, but he had at least 45 receptions in eight straight seasons from 2009-2016 with more than 50 catches six times over that span.
Next. NFL DraftKings: Week 2 lineup advice. dark
Philadelphia’s running back by committee is going to frustrate fantasy owners all season, so those that have one of them (Sanders, Sproles or Jordan Howard) will have to pick the right spots to deploy them if it can even be considered with any confidence. Week 2 looks like a spot for Sproles to succeed though, and he’s a sneaky flex play in PPR formats.