Tag: Kevin Smith

Last Call On Mikel Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure was on the end of 26 carries Sunday against the Titans in his official NFL debut.

Analysis: Leshoure put up 100 rushing yards and a score on 26 carries to go along with 4 receptions for 34 yards. Considering Leshoure is available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues out there you have to wonder why. Everyone knows he has first round talent and his two game suspension was over after week two. Regardless, 26 carries will catch the attention of the fantasy world so it’s time to make a move for the back because he’s quite capable of putting up solid numbers week in and week out.

There is a possibility that he may struggle but he will have a monopoly on those Detroit red zone carries which is always an added bonus. I’m not quite ready to project him as a RB2 yet but he is a must start at the moment. Just keep in mind that he does have a bye week coming in week five.

To put Leshoure’s talent into perspective, Detroit running back Kevin Smith was on the end of zero carries and zero targets in week three despite starting the first two games of the season.

ADP Watch- Mikel Leshoure

With Jahvid Best on the PUP list, Mikel Leshoure just may get his chance to carry the bulk of the load for the Detroit ground game.

Analysis: While Kevin Smith may be ahead of Mikel Leshoure on the depth chart, Leshoure will finish the season as the more productive back. Leshoure is a 227 pound power back in the mould of a Rashard Mendenhall. He’s in a similar situation to Houston’s second round pick Ben Tate who was injured in his rookie season only to burst onto the scene in 2011. Like Tate, Leshoure is a second round pick who missed his rookie year and like Tate he has first round talent. After Leshoure is to serve his two game suspension to begin the season, expect the bulk of short yardage carries and the ever important goal line touches to go to Leshoure over Kevin Smith. Smith is a fine low end PPR back this year but the Detroit tail back situation is rather murky and needs to be monitored to ensure a solid draft.

Leshoure is actually going undrafted in many leagues but the earliest he is going is as the 48th back around picks 120-130. If he stays healthy he’s a great under the radar sleeper who will certainly outperform his ADP.

Kevin Smith Is A Must Start

Although Detroit running back Kevin Smith is owned in just seventy percent of fantasy leagues, he is a must start in week seventeen.

Analysis: Smith is coming off of a solid two touchdown performance against the Chargers and has carried the rock fifteen times in each of his last two contests. The Lions get the Packers in week seventeen and expect Detroit to use their running game as the score should not get out of hand because Green Bay will rest their starters. Green Bay does allow 4.7 yards per carry this year which is the seventh worst in the NFL and with the second string in who knows what to expect? If Kevin Smith is available or is on your squad then he is a must start this week.

Evan Royster is another back that you may want to consider picking up to see if he’ll get another start in place of the injured Roy Helu in week seventeen. Royster put up 132 rushing yards on nineteen carries with a score last week against the Vikings. If Roy Helu cannot go this coming week against the Eagles, Royster should be on the end of fifteen plus carries.