DECLASSIFIED: Brandon Bolden Week 15 Fantasy Outlook Versus Titans

shabro headshotRosterWatch Nation, we’re into the fantasy playoffs. There’s only about six more weeks left to bring in more riches in NFL DFS by using the RosterWatch Daily Fantasy Cheat Sheet. We’ll be in the offseason before you can say, “Jeff Fisher just needs a quarterback and then the Rams can totally be a contender.”

The running back situation across the NFL continues to get more and more desperate. Thomas Rawls is going on injured reserve. Watch Bryce Brown try to make an inside run and prepare to lose your lunch. You need a quick pick up or a daily fantasy running back on the cheap? It might be time to look to the land of chowdah and epic homerism.

Bolden DECLASS

Reading the running back situation in New England at times is similar to trying to figure out exactly why your significant other is upset with you. There’s going to be some indications, some guessing, and likely some tears (curled-up, shivering shower-cries if you started Jonas Gray in 2014 after a 4-TD monster only to have him put up 4 yards). But this is crunch time and we need to take some chances.

With LeGarrette Blount being out of the picture, fantasy players have to make the decision whether to go with the better PPR matchup with second-year running back James White or hold out hope that Brandon Bolden can deliver a Festivus miracle!

Let’s take a look at the positives and negatives for Brandon Bolden while considering his fantasy value in Week 15 versus the Tennessee Titans defense.

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Positives

– Size: I think he’s got a good frame that will allow him to hold up against heavy packages on the early downs which is where he’s likely going to be used a lot. At 5’11”, 220, he at least has the ability to pack a punch even if he doesn’t always do so.

– Vision: He’s a great inside runner and he’ll take what’s given. He sees things at the second level to break off some decent runs. He’s patient in waiting for blocks to develop.

– Quarterback Play: I think that Tom Brady fellow might not be half bad. It sure helps your running game when the defense is worried about getting carved up by Captain America and Company. Plus, Brady knows how to set things up for running backs to succeed. This is a major benefit.

– Offense: Brady can take this offense to hurry up at the snap of his fingers. And this is where you have some nice TD potential for Bolden. James White is touted as the better receiving back, rightfully so, but Bolden is a better receiver out of the backfield than given credit for.

Negatives

– White: James White could be a much bigger part of this offense coming down the home stretch. He’s likely going to steal a decent amount of touches from Bolden but it’s not enough to convince me not to use Bolden.

– Limited Athleticism: He’s got nice short-area quickness and he has some burst through the hole but he’s not incredibly explosive and he doesn’t have the long speed necessary for explosive and double explosive runs.

– Consistency: Bolden seems to go through spells of great production and disappointing production. He’s got a career average of 4.3 yards per carry but he can be much spottier than that stat indicates. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry against the Eagles and turned around and got 2.8 against the Broncos. Two different defenses, clearly, but the result shouldn’t be so wildly different.

– Bill Belichick: Bill Belichick hates you and your fantasy team. He’s a mad scientist and to the chagrin of fantasy players across the globe he will probably sign Steven Jackson on Sunday morning and Jackson will go off for 150 yards and 3 TDs despite his old age and end-zone allergies.

– Matchup: Good lord the Tennessee Titans defense is just getting gashed. Bur they’ve been far worse against the pass than the rush. This isn’t exactly the 85 Bears but they’re in the top 10 in shutting down the run.

DECLASSIFIED: Brandon Bolden’s Week 15 Fantasy Outlook

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A lot of people felt like Bolden could’ve been the Patriots next Benjarvus Green-Ellis coming out of college. Bolden has the potential but he needs to be more consistent and he needs to keep his knucklehead factor in check.

He’s available in about half of redraft, so you might want to grab him if you’re ready for a playoff run. I’m not so sure he’s worth a dynasty stash.

His true value lies in daily fantasy. He’s only $3200 on Draft Kings, so – slightly above the minimum. I like him better than Duke Johnson, who is more expensive, against an incredibly good Seahawks run defense in Seattle.

This could be the week that Bolden finally reaches the potential that fantasy players have seen for the last four years. This might finally be it. Or maybe Belichick signs some scrub off the street and that guy goes off for 50 points. But I still believe in Bolden and in the magic of Christmas.

All factors considered, I would expect Bolden to rush for about 65 yards, catch three balls for 25 yards and get either a receiving or rushing touchdown in Week 15 versus the Tennessee Titans!

2 Comments

  1. I picked up Bolden in a half ppr league. Would you start over Gore? He seems to have more upside this week but I see he’s lower in your rankings right now.
    Thanks

    1. maybe in a ppr. i think gore is going to get a ton of work with a hobbled qb and no moncrief though.

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