Could Derrick Gore (no relation to Frank) become a fantasy football asset in 2021? Ever since Jamaal Charles’ reign atop the Chiefs’ RB depth chart ended in 2015, Kansas City has cycled through more starting running backs than a kid opening a pack of football cards: Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Kareem Hunt, Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, and now … Gore? Is Gore worth adding off the waiver wire heading into Week 9?
Derrick Gore’s journey to the NFL
The 26-year-old began his professional career as an undrafted free agent. From 2019 to 2020, the Chargers signed him multiple times to their practice squad but waived him. Washington also gave him a shot, but he never saw regular-season game action.
This past July, Gore earned a tryout with Kansas City, impressing them enough to earn a preseason roster spot. He went on to shine in three preseason games, amassing 86 rushing yards on 18 carries, along with 82 yards on 6 receptions.
After placing Edwards-Helaire on injured reserve on October 12, the Chiefs activated Gore from the practice squad. He entered last night’s contest with only 1 NFL touch under his belt — a 7-yard catch last week against the Titans.
Gore breaks out on Monday Night Football
With Darrel Williams entrenched as the temporary bell cow and Jerick McKinnon filling in the gaps, it would have been hard to predict Gore’s ascension from emergency third-stringer to featured back.
On last night’s opening drive, Williams earned 3 touches and appeared poised to dominate backfield usage once again. But when they got the ball back on a Daniel Jones interception, Gore earned the first 2 carries of what would become a four-play scoring drive, capped by a Tyreek Hill TD catch.
After a three-and-out on their third drive (in which Williams earned 1 touch), the team went back to Gore on drive No. 4. He out-touched Williams 7-1 while running it into the end zone from 3 yards out.
Interestingly, Kansas City returned to Williams in the second half, as Patrick Mahomes fed the veteran in the passing game. But Gore had already established himself as a valuable backfield contributor.
Should fantasy managers add Gore off waivers?
Gore’s fantasy value hinges largely on two factors: the presence of Williams and the eventual return of Edwards-Helaire. Williams has fared well as a temporary starter and is unlikely to be pushed aside anytime soon.
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Edwards-Helaire could return as early as Week 9 or Week 10. However, if this backfield continues to be effective, it would be sensible for the Chiefs to ease their young starter back in. That is good news for Kansas City. Not so good for fantasy managers seeking a certifiable weekly starter.
Gore’s track record is clearly light. While he might deserve continued usage, he hasn’t established himself as a backfield mainstay. Therefore, at this time, he’s not a highly recommended waiver add unless you compete in a deep league where 6+ point RBs are hard to find. We’ll have a better sense of Gore’s rest-of-season value after seeing how the Chiefs utilize him in Week 9.