Beanie Wells and Saints RBs in Week 10

Arizona Cardinals starting RB Beanie Wells continues to be hampered by a knee injury, but is still the 15^th most started back in Week 10. He is part of a group of RBs that are started in more leagues than they should be. Beanie is much too overrated to be started in almost 72% of leagues. While he averaged over 20 fantasy points per game in his first 3 games of the season, he has not been the same since. He has only topped 100 total yards twice this season, the last being in Week 4. In addition, Beanie has only scored once since Week 5. Facing the Eagles this week, the Cardinals should be down most of the game and there won’t be too many carries to be had. Without any bye weeks in Week 10 as well as John Skelton starting again at QB, I can’t see Beanie finishing in the top 25 of RBs this week.

While Beanie Wells is the primary back in Arizona, there are many teams using RB committees. The New Orleans Saints is one of those teams, and they utilize it successfully with Darren Sproles (14^th most started: 74.0% started), Pierre Thomas (29^th: 38.4%), Mark Ingram (40^th: 19.5%) and Chris Ivory (75^th: 0.4%). Having four competent backs works well in the NFL, but not in Fantasy Football. For deep league owners struggling at RB, Ivory is a nice sleeper because of the confidence the Saints coaching staff has in him. In only his 2^nd game this season (last week vs. Tampa), he led all Saints RBs in touches (15). Unfortunately, Mark Ingram (heel) could be active this week for the first time since Week 7. That would bump Ivory, who is battling his own hamstring troubles, back down to the 4^th RB on the roster. If so, I would avoid most of the Saints RB situation. With Sproles’ great presence in the passing game each week (at least 5 receptions in each game in 2011), he’s always a good start. However, I’m not confident starting Thomas, Ingram or Ivory. I would avoid these guys because they all take touches away from each other.

(All starting percentages based on ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues. Also, all fantasy points based on ESPN standard scoring.)