There’s absolutely nothing more frustrating than training camp injuries. It was announced this afternoon that Arian Foster will enter the season on the short-term IR as he is expecting to have surgery Friday on his groin.
It’s a fantasy nightmare. I had Foster being drafted in the late first-mid second round. One of the most reliable running backs when healthy just can’t manage to stay healthy.
Foster managed to combine for 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, even though he missed three games last season to many injuries.
Foster was a workhorse in 2014, but it looks like Alfred Blue will take over for at least the first six weeks.
Blue’s numbers weren’t impressive, but in the three games he started last season, he got a lot of work.
In his three starts, Blue averaged 21.6 carries a game and averaged 93.3 yards a game. However, he didn’t score a single touchdown in those games he started. (10.3 fantasy points/game)
In Blue’s other 13 games, he averaged 8 carries a game and averaged 19 yards a game and three touchdowns. (4.6 fantasy points/game)
When it comes to Blue’s backup, as of now that role goes to Jonathan Grimes. He averaged 5.3 carries a game and averaged 25 yards a game in games Blue started. (4.3 fantasy points/game)
So the quick rundown:
Arian Foster = Super reliable
Alfred Blue = Great option as starter, not enough touches to be reliable as a backup
Jonathan Grimes = Doesn’t get enough touches to do anything when Foster’s in the lineup
Now the question is, how do you draft Foster and Blue?
Before the injury, I had the mindset that if you drafted Foster early you absolutely HAD to draft Blue as your handcuff. That strategy is definitely thrown out of the window.
Value wise, you have to draft Blue before Foster as of now. Blue should be available after the 6th round. That’s when you should probably start considering drafting him.
If Blue wins the starting job, the Texans would face the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Jaguars during the first six games.
When it comes to Foster, I’m confident in taking him within the first 100 picks. If I could snag him in the 8th round, I would definitely be happy with this.
Foster is first-second round value. Missing six games will absolutely hurt, but he’s beyond fantasy football talented. Foster could be the missing piece that can win you a fantasy football championship.