Is Jeremy McNichols worth adding off the waiver wire ahead of Week 9? In fantasy football, we’re always trying to stay one step ahead. But despite Derrick Henry now sidelined for the next 6-10 weeks, has McNichols’ fantasy moment already passed?
What is Jeremy McNichols’ fantasy outlook?
It was only last week when McNichols’ fantasy fortunes turned from promising to seemingly irrelevant. Henry was well on his way to a historic RB season, while Darrynton Evans’ return to the field threatened to push McNichols to the depth chart fringes.
But in the span of 48 hours, Henry was lost for most/all of the rest of the regular season with a foot injury. Meanwhile, a knee injury forced Evans back on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2021 campaign. And just like that, McNichols was primed for a major role ahead of Week 9.
But not so fast. The Titans quickly signed the 36-year-old Adrian Peterson. Despite not seeing live action in 10 months, Peterson could be Tennessee’s early-down back. Meanwhile, the team also signed D’Onta Foreman, a 2017 third-round pick who was once viewed as the heir apparent in Houston’s backfield while playing alongside a post-prime Lamar Miller.
Yet, injuries derailed Foreman’s promising career. He rushed for 95 yards on 22 carries for Tennessee last year. At his best, a healthy and activated Foreman could muscle his way into semi-relevancy.
Should you add McNichols off waivers ahead of Week 9?
This is where things get tricky. We don’t know what Peterson has left in the tank. Maybe he’ll get off to a fast start like he did last year for Detroit: 21 carries for 134 yards in Weeks 1-2.
However, he also scuffled for most of the rest of 2020, exceeding 3.8 yards per carry only twice in his final 14 contests. Assuming Peterson can no longer carry a full load or produce at a high level week after week, the question is whether Foreman will be called upon.
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McNichols is a proven threat in the passing game and could get 3 catches per contest regardless of the size of his role. That would give him roughly an RB5 floor. His near-term ceiling is probably that of an RB4. But as we get into the later weeks, if Peterson slows down or simply no longer has it, there’s an opening for McNichols to creep into the RB3 conversation. Consider this if you add him off waivers ahead of Week 9.
McNichols probably won’t help you win a title. But as a bench stash, he could give you a couple of decent spot starts later this year.