Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett has been solid this year, yet nowhere near the career heights he reached last season. Forsett finished 2014 fifth in the league in rushing with 1,266 yards to go along with a career high eight rushing touchdowns and 44 receptions. Overall, he was one of fantasy football's top producers at the position. In fact, you could make the argument that he was a fantasy MVP given the low-cost it took to get him.
Perhaps it's because Baltimore is just 2-6 this season and struggling in several areas, but Forsett has not produced at the same level so far. That's not to say he's been a bust, far from it. But in order to keep him fresh and capable down the stretch, the Ravens may lighten his workload going forward.
"Justin Forsett turns 30 on Saturday and, considering his recent workload, this should be a reminder to all of us that Buck Allen is one of only a few high-priority handcuffs at the position," ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Mike Clay wrote. "Forsett entered the team's Week 9 bye having handled two-thirds of the team's carries and 10 percent of the targets. Having just fewer than 20 touches per game is sure to take its toll on any back, especially a 30-year-old who stands 5-foot-8, 195 pounds. If Forsett were to go down with an injury, Allen would have only Raheem Mostert, Terrence Magee and Terrance West as competition for reps. He'd immediately be a decent RB2 option and, considering his play so far, would be a breakout candidate."
Overall, Forsett has carried the ball 133 times for 562 yards (4.2 YPC) and two touchdowns. He's also caught 27 passes for 142 yards. In the only two games this season that he's seen 20-plus carries, he has rushed for over 100-yards. Again, not bad at all but those also aren't eye popping stats.
Allen has impressed in limited playing time, carrying the ball 37 times for 163 yards (4.4 YPC) while catching 7 passes for 54 yards. The rookie fourth-rounder is a bigger back at 6-feet, 220 pounds and can take more of a pounding. Forsett is still the clear cut No. 1 option in Baltimore but he may see his touches decrease ever so slightly over the second half of the season.
