The Washington Redskins may have the most frustrating time share in all of football. While veteran Alfred Morris didn't cost fantasy football owners a premiere pick, he was likely a RB2 for several teams and expected to reach his solid floor of 1,000 rushing yards and 5-8 touchdowns for the season. Yet after a stellar Week 1, Morris was somewhat eclipsed by third-round rookie Matt Jones who exploded for 146 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 2.
For those who thought ahead and handcuffed the two, this development wasn't disastrous as Jones appeared to be a solid bet going forward. He was explosive and contributed in the passing game, how bad could he be? Yet since Week 2, the rookie has failed to top 38 rushing yards and has been one-half of an equally ineffective platoon with Morris, infuriating fantasy owners across the world.
So if you're stuck with both Washington RBs, who should you go with this week?
"Alfred Morris and Matt Jones were most recently on the field together in Weeks 5 and 7," ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Mike Clay wrote. "In Week 5, Morris handled 33 percent of Washington's carries and Jones worked 46 percent. In Week 7, Morris handled 34 percent and Jones worked 46 percent. Although a healthy Chris Thompson will steal a few carries, that's a fair ratio to expect moving forward. Jones, who has run one more pass route than Morris despite missing a game, is the better bet than his counterpart for carries and targets and is thus the preferred fantasy asset. In Week 9, Jones if a flex option against the Patriots' stingy run defense."
Jones may be the guy to go with in Washington's backfield, but that doesn't mean he's going to produce. New England currently ranks seventh in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (96.7) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (3). For the season, they've allowed just two running backs to top 89 rushing yards in a game. I'd look elsewhere if I was you.
