If you were watching the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Tennessee Titans last Thursday, you might have noticed that backup running back Denard Robinson received the all-important red zone carries for the Jags. If you're a fantasy football owner, this is very significant news. Touchdowns are where fantasy leagues are won and lost, after all.
Second-round rookie running back T.J. Yeldon has been pretty solid on the field this year, yet not quite the breakout fantasy player some were hoping for. Though he surpassed double digit standard fantasy points in three straight games (Weeks 4-7) earlier this year, he has failed to cross that same mark in his three starts since. As a result, many owners may get skittish and decide to trade Yeldon away for a more proven commodity. That would be a mistake.
"The Jaguars' schedule features San Diego in Week 12, Indianapolis in Week 14, Atlanta in Week 15 and New Orleans in Week 16," ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner wrote. "The Chargers, Colts and Saints all rank 26th or worse in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing running backs since Week 6, and the Falcons rank 16th."
For the season, San Diego is allowing an NFL-worst 22.4 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. Indianapolis (18.0), Atlanta (18.8) and New Orleans (19.9) aren't far behind. Helping matters may be Yeldon's increased usage in goal line situations.
"Yeldon could also have some unforeseen upside potential in the area of goal-line carries," Joyner wrote. "Jacksonville is the only team in the league to not score a rushing touchdown in a goal-to-go situation this season. Yeldon has accounted for five of the team's 15 goal-line carries, but he did showcase an above-average touchdown conversation rate on short-yardage carries at Alabama. This could cause Yeldon to be asked to help the Jaguars improve in this important category and, if it pans out, it could move his already strong fantasy prospects up another tier."
Yeldon is Jacksonville's guy and if he starts to assume goal line duties then he becomes a must-start for a Jaguars offense that is on the rise. Overall, he has carried the ball 147 times for 585 yards (4.0 YPC) and one touchdown while catching 27 passes for 153 yards one additional score.
