Andre Williams Is Worth the Fantasy Start in Week 9 with Rashad Jennings out

To say that New York Giants rookie Andre Williams hasn't exactly taken off with the starting running back job would be an understatement, but he remains fantasy relevant due to his workload in Rashad Jennings' absence. Week 9 is no different.

Williams was one of the league's best rookie rushers in the preseason, but it hasn't translated over into the regular season, at least in terms of efficiency. He has 89 carries but only 280 yards and two touchdowns—good for just 3.1 yards per carry, which is 48th among NFL backs.

That's never been on display more than in his last two games, during which he had 17 carries for 59 yards and 18 attempts for 51 yards. He didn't score a touchdown in either game, much to the detriment of the many fantasy owners who started him with high expectations.

Despite his struggles, he'll get the nod again in Week 9 with Jennings out, per Mike Chappell of RTV6:

So, why is Williams a good play for Week 9, other than his status as the team's starter? Well, it starts with a favorable matchup.

The Giants face the Indianapolis Colts at home on Monday Night Football in a game that should allow New York's front to generate some rushing success after two straight poor performances. Indianapolis ranks 21st in the league in opponents yards per carry—the chief area that the Giants have struggled in.

The Colts have also allowed over 100 rushing yards in half of their games this year.

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What's more, Williams' touchdown drought of two games is likely to come to an end on Monday night. The Colts have allowed seven rushing scores on the season, and Eli Manning should find ways to get the Giants into scoring situations after the Colts' secondary licks its wounds from last weekend's thrashing by Ben Roethlisberger.

But for all the success Roethlisberger had, it was, in part, set up by Le'Veon Bell's success between the tackles. The Giants won't shy away from getting Williams his touches early, hoping to establish a similar tone.

Williams has taken notice of Bell's running style and could emulate it on Monday.

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"[The Steelers'] Le'Veon Bell; he's so patient in the hole," Williams told Newsday's Tom Rock. "I'm like, 'Man, how are people not catching him?' But the way it's designed, that's the way he's supposed to do it."

The rookie might not have the speed and north-south quickness of Bell, but he won't need it against a soft Colts front. If he's patient and allows the blockers in front of him to set up properly, he'll have no trouble continuing Indianapolis' run defense troubles.

Williams is still getting the nod in 48 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues despite his recent struggles, but those numbers should climb heading into Week 9. Six teams are on their bye week, leaving gaping holes across most fantasy owners' lineups.

With so many running backs—including Matt Forte, Joique Bell, Eddie Lacy and Steven Jackson—on the bench for Week 9 due to byes, Williams will catapult from an occasional flex play to a must-start for this weekend.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.