With seven receptions on nine targets last night in Green Bay, Darren Sproles’ fantasy value is on the rise.
Analysis: As much as all the experts want to label the Saints a “balanced offense” they’re not. Forty-nine passes to twenty-one rushes is not balanced.
Mark Ingram was the guy that was supposed to give the Saints “balance” but he only carried the ball thirteen times and did not even register a target let alone a reception in the opener. Pierre Thomas who is a solid receiving back and has a few thirty reception years in his career only managed four catches on five targets. It appears the Saints have a plan for Darren Sproles and that is to get the little athlete out in space and stretch the defense as much as possible. When the Saints used Reggie Bush they did so as a decoy more than anything, this year Sproles is a legit threat. Sproles was on the end of two carries and only put up eighty-two yards from scrimmage but the damage was done in PPR leagues. Sproles is coming off of 59 and 45 reception years with the Chargers and may reach the seventy reception mark this year with the Saints. He is available is some PPR leagues and over half of standard leagues. While he may serve as the second best “bench back” on your squad in standard leagues, his performance Thursday night was impressive. Seventy receptions this year is possible and you can thank the Saints “balance” for those numbers.