Maxxcash The Seattle Seahawks are essentially a lost cause this season, but they aren’t mathematically eliminated yet. Whether or not they’re competing for a playoff berth, there are still plenty of fantasy football assets worth considering in that offense. The running back position isn’t an easy one to decode, so what should fantasy managers expect from Alex Collins, Rashaad Penny, and DeeJay Dallas in Week 14?
Table of Contents
Alex Collins is back and healthy
Ever since starting running back Chris Carson was lost to injury, this backfield has been a rotation of underwhelming performances. Collins has been the de facto lead back but has essentially been a touchdown-dependent RB2 that hasn’t gotten the touchdowns.
Against Pittsburgh in Week 6, Collins ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, but he hasn’t scored or topped 44 rushing yards since.
His performances haven’t justified a starting spot in fantasy lineups. The perpetual hope has been that Collins could at least find the end zone and be a decent fill-in for fantasy managers facing tough injury situations and bye weeks, but it hasn’t panned out. Collins hasn’t topped 5.4 fantasy points since that game against the Steelers.
After missing last week with an abdomen injury, Collins has been cleared to play in Week 14. Adrian Peterson will miss this game with a back injury, putting Collins back at the top of the depth chart.
Seattle might want to give Rashaad Penny more work
Few Seahawks draft picks in recent years have been more disappointing than Penny, who they took in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft … over Nick Chubb.
Penny has suffered numerous injuries over the last several years and hasn’t worked out the way Seattle would have hoped. He has shown flashes of promise, however, proving to be an explosive running back at times.
Featured Story
Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Weekly rankings, outlooks, injury reports, start/sit advice, and more
Last week, Penny was given 10 carries, which was a promising turn for him. He didn’t do much with the opportunity, however, only rushing for 35 yards. But the important aspect is that he appears to be back to being healthy. The next few weeks will be important for Penny to potentially earn a job in 2022, as Seattle declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
Penny has speed and, if healthy, should be the best running back on Seattle’s roster. He’ll be a part of the rotation in their Week 14 game against the Houston Texans.
Collins’ and Penny’s fantasy expectations
I expect this backfield to be a full-on committee in Week 14, with Collins and Penny splitting opportunities against the Texans.
Fortunately for them and fantasy managers, the Texans have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs over the last four weeks. DeeJay Dallas could also factor into the plan, but he’s the clear third option.
Collins figures to be the lead back in this one. He might finally put up stats worth having in your fantasy lineup. Seattle should sustain drives vs. Houston and run more plays than they have lately, which would be a welcome sight for Collins. He and Penny should both see double-digit carries. And while I’d put my money on Collins to have the better day, Penny ripping off a long run would not surprise me.
Play Collins if you need a flex or RB2 option. If you’re absolutely desperate, there’s a path for a nice day from Penny as well.
