Fantasy Football Sleeper: Could Surprise Replacement for Ahmad Bradshaw Emerge?

Waiver wires have been on fire today as Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger (click here for the article) reported the following:

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Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw suffered a cracked bone in his foot during Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and is out indefinitely, according to someone informed of Bradshaw’s health status.

The person, who requested anonymity because the Giants haven’t provided full details on Bradshaw’s injury, said the fifth-year veteran is mulling whether to have corrective surgery.

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The Professor’s Thoughts

Brandon Jacobs has been the popular grab (in leagues where he was available), as he is expected to get the first chance to carry the load for the Giants.  Having complained in recent weeks about the number of touches he’s received, he will now get a chance to prove to the NFL that he can back it up and produce when given the chance.  Of course, Jacobs has just 126 yards and two TDs on 42 carries this season (an average of three yards/carry).  While he will get the first shot, it is far from a guarantee that he delivers. 

With that in mind, D.J. Ware has also been looked at by those in deeper formats.  The problem there is that he is more of a third-down back and potentially ill-equipped to shoulder the load on a more regular basis.  If Jacobs fails, do not necessarily expect Ware to automatically get the next look.

The sleeper in the bunch is Da’Rel Scott, who I ranked among the top rookie running backs to watch prior to the season (click here to read the full article).  At that time I said:

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Drafted in the seventh round, this is going to be an overlooked player by many.  However, the Giants running back situation is extremely unsettled given the regression of Brandon Jacobs and the potential free agent status of Ahmad Bradshaw.  Just to give you an idea of Scott’s speed, according to NBC’s Evan Silva (click here for the article), "With an official forty time of 4.34, Scott was the fastest running back at the NFL Scouting Combine." 

The Giants have a history of getting production out of their draft picks, so he’s a name worth keeping in the back of your mind for later on.

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At this point that still holds true.  For those of you in deeper formats in need of running back depth, he’s a player that is worth stashing away if you have an available roster spot.  If Jacobs fails it is not unthinkable that Ware remains the third-down back with Scott getting an opportunity on first and second downs. 

At 5’11”, 210 pounds his size is comparable to Bradshaw’s (5-10”, 214 pounds) and he could be the perfect replacement to keep the offense running seamlessly.

Make sure to check out our other Week 9 articles:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 50 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Defenses