Alfred Morris: Ryan Grant Signing Will Not Damage Rookie RB's Fantasy Value

Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris has gone from obscure rookie to legitimate fantasy football producer in just three weeks time, and nothing is going to change that for the time being.

Not even the signing of veteran ball-carrier Ryan Grant. Grant provides one thing that Morris does not (receiving ability), but that won't be nearly enough to usurp Morris' starting role.

Grant was an excellent signing for depth's sake. With Roy Helu on the injured reserve, the Redskins needed another reliable option in the backfield. Mike Shanahan likes to use multiple ball carriers, and it never hurts to have more than one capable option.

Morris has been too good to replace so far this season. If he's on your fantasy squad, you already know this.

Selecting him, or picking him up off of waivers, wasn't expected to bring a huge return, but the first-year player has exceeded expectations in a big way.

Morris has 263 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries so far this season. He hasn't caught a pass, and is only averaging 4.3 yards per carry, but he's been a steady crutch for Robert Griffin III.

Sure, he hasn't gotten you one receiving point, but that doesn't matter.

Grant caught 90-plus passes in his four-year stint with the Packers. He could be used in that capacity, but that's not going to change what Morris was already supplying in fantasy land.

Washington likes to run the ball, and Morris has proven himself capable of shouldering the load. Signing Grant looks like a big deal, but he's nothing more than an insurance policy at this point.

Even if he weren't, it's going to take him a few weeks to get himself acclimated.

Shanahan likes to switch things up in his backfield, but fantasy owners can stick with Morris for now. If he loses his job in the future, Grant's signing won't have anything to do with it. He will have to stop producing to lose his job.

Morris has brought joy to any owner who took a chance on him this season. If you're one of those people, don't worry. The train isn't stopping anytime soon.