Fantasy Football 2013: Ryan Mathews A Post-Hype Sleeper?

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It was halfway throughout the 2012 fantasy season, and I needed to make a trade.

My number two running back, Maurice Jones-Drew, was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury, and with other unfortunate injury situations, my roster wasn’t exactly where I wouldn’t it to be heading into the playoffs. Sure, having a stud like Ray Rice was my running back one is safe, but if I wanted to make a push towards the championship, I had to get aggressive.

Then it happened.

I got cute. I looked ahead to see which runners had the most favorable playoff schedule. I saw a guy who I had loved all year long in Alfred Morris on one team. When I continued to scroll down to see who else the Morris owner had, I saw it. Ryan Mathews. The guy had been struggling since returning from injury, but I felt as if he could be a terrific buy-low candidate for my fantasy team. So, with no hesitation, I sent the offer. Rice for Morris and Mathews. He accepted it, and at the time, I was pretty content with the move. Until, of course, Mathews started playing.

Sigh.

After being drafted in the first round (why?) in many fantasy drafts last season, Mathews absolutely burned fantasy owners. He broke more collarbones (2) than scored touchdowns (1). He averaged a measly 3.8 yards per carry. He fumbled twice. He, for all intents and purposes, was a mess. Needless to say, I didn’t win the championship last year, despite how awesome Morris was. However, with everyone throwing out statements such as “I will never draft him!”, Mathews could quietly be a good value play for the 2013 campaign. Post-hype sleeper? I think so.

First thing’s first. No one in fantasy football is undraftable. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has their own value. If you can find someone for the right price, it doesn’t matter who it is. They are draftable. The same goes for Mathews. Sure, don’t get me wrong. There is a lot to be worried about when it comes to the Chargers running back. First of all, he is brittle. He’s missed 10 games through his first three seasons, and seems to always have something bothering him. Also, he won’t play on passing downs this season, as the team brought in pass-catcher Danny Woodhead. And considering the Chargers already played Ronnie Brown ahead of him on passing down last season, just solidifies this decision.

However, there are reasons to take a chance on Mathews during your drafts. Would I be happy with him as my RB2? Of course not. I would cry myself in the shower if that were the case. But as a flex? I don’t hate it. As bad as he was been in recent memory, Mathews has been very productive in fantasy before. In 2011, he finished as the number seven fantasy running back, ahead of guys like Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson. He has the talent. The 25-year old is already putting together a very strong preseason, having rushed for 121 yards and a score on 26 carries. He looks much better, and despite his unfortunate injuries from last season, is still running with some force. Mathews looks good, feels confident, and most importantly, is staying on the field, which is obviously the main concern with him.

According to Fantasy Calculator, Mathews is currently coming off of the board as the number 26 running back, being drafted at the end of the fourth round. Unlike last year when he was going towards the end of the first round, there isn’t really any risk with Mathews this season. You won’t be investing a top pick on the guy in 2013, so even if he does falter, you’re still okay. Besides, when you look at how scarce the running back position is this season, you can’t really not draft him. Sure, you can take a shot on higher upside guys such as Giovani Bernard or Eddie Lacy, but it soon gets to a point where you might as well go with the guy who has the talent, and despite his recent struggles, has done it before. Assuming he falls to the fifth round, don’t feel dirty if you draft him. It’ll be fine. I mean, he can’t be any worse than last year, right?

Right?

Fantasy Football 2013: What To Expect From Ryan Mathews