The deeper we get into the season, the more hesitant I am about starting players on Thursday night. This week, we have the Cardinals hosting the Saints. Eno Benjamin operated as the Cardinals’ lead back last week and looks poised to do it again. Should fantasy football managers start Benjamin on Thursday night?
Eno Benjamin’s Fantasy Outlook Against the Saints
I must admit I never believed in Eno Benjamin. The former seventh-round draft pick who couldn’t beat out Jonathan Ward in 2021 was just not someone I thought would ever matter. Yet, here we are.
With James Conner and Darrel Williams out due to injuries last week, Benjamin was not just thrust into the lead back role, he was thrust into the feature back role.
Benjamin played a whopping 87% of the offensive snaps (over 20% higher than Conner’s largest snap share all season). Benjamin’s 18 touches were also a season-high mark for a Cardinals running back.
Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Benjamin turned his 18 touches into just 65 scoreless yards. However, the good news is Benjamin’s floor remains high. Conner and Williams have yet to practice this week. Given that neither appeared close to playing last week, it would be a shock if either suited up just four days later.
MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 7
Benjamin’s only backup is rookie sixth-rounder Keaontay Ingram, whose entire role was to spell Benjamin when he needed a breather. Fantasy managers should fully expect Benjamin to see as many snaps as he can handle against the Saints.
All of that said — the matchup against the Saints is not a good one. Through six weeks, the Saints are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
While the Saints allow 4.6 yards per carry, they have been especially adept at defending running backs in the passing game. A mere 7.35% of the receiving yards allowed by the Saints have gone to running backs. That trails only the Bucs for the second-smallest percentage in the league.
Benjamin is averaging 2.5 receptions per game. He needs that receiving work to bolster his floor. He’s caught at least three passes for at least 20 yards in four games this season. That’s roughly five fantasy points worth of production via receiving. Without that, Benjamin would need to score to be even remotely viable.
Should Fantasy Managers Start Eno Benjamin?
If you grabbed Benjamin off waivers a couple of weeks ago, it’s likely you did so because you needed him. I imagine most managers with Benjamin last week started him. While he certainly disappointed with his production, the volume was there. Chase that volume again this week.
It may be a short week, but any three-down running back on an offense running the most plays per game is worth starting in fantasy, even on a short week.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Recommendations
Benjamin has an RB3 floor with a high RB2 ceiling if he can find the end zone. His 9.5 fantasy points last week actually resulted in a top-24 finish. He’s currently ranked as our RB20 on the week.
With so many must-start fantasy options on bye this week, Benjamin is worthy of being in your lineup against the Saints on Thursday night.