Arian Foster Is Not A RB1 This Week

Although Gary Kubiak expects Arian Foster to play Sunday against Miami, do not expect the numbers you would want from a RB1.

Analysis: There is no need to give Foster more than twelve to fifteen carries this weekend and Kubiak knows this. Ben Tate is a force and people need to start realizing that. Last week Tate carried the rock 24 times for 116 yards while Derrick Ward chipped in for nine carries. Ward is questionable Sunday with an ankle but it doesn’t really matter here. Ben Tate is the back that will make Foster fall out of top five back status. Tate has been a force in the preseason and was absolutely dominant against the Colts. Kubiak won’t say anything about Foster getting significantly less touches, but Tate’s game will dictate that. Tate is still available in over thirty percent of fantasy leagues and considering hamstring injuries tend to linger, you have to pick this youngster up. The “experts” at ESPN have Foster as their fifth best back in week two and I’d be shocked if he put up RB1 numbers. Conditioning and touches will be the “downfall” for Foster this Sunday.

Ben Tate Is A Must Own

2010 second round pick Ben Tate has looked impressive thus far in the preseason. Tate has amassed 147 rushing yards on just twenty carries to go along with a touchdown.

Analysis: Houston’s top back Arian Foster tweaked his hamstring for the second time this preseason last night against the Niners. Hamstring injuries can linger and the fact that Ben Tate is only owned in thirty to forty percent of fantasy leagues is shocking. Tate is 220 pounds and has sub 4.4 speed, he’s the real deal. His season ending injury last year wasn’t even knee related, it was ankle ligaments. In addition to Foster’s hamstring “tweak” we also have to consider how many backs have come off of 393 touches and maintained their numbers the following season… very few. Foster is a top three or four back but he is not the number one back and the second hamstring injury in just a few weeks span is extremely concerning. Ben Tate may just be a depth back right now but if Foster goes down you can expect RB2 numbers. I’d feel comfortable taking Tate as a top 45 back or before pick 135. Considering the lack of tail back talent to come out of college this year coupled with Tate’s hype completely gone from his injury last year, he certainly is a must own and you can get him on the cheap.