For much of the season, the Baltimore Ravens’ backfield has been one to avoid for fantasy football managers. Following Week 9, there may finally be a verdict. Devonta Freeman appears to have taken over this backfield, and thus, is a priority pickup for fantasy managers off the Week 10 waiver wire.
Devonta Freeman is not on enough fantasy rosters
In researching for this week’s waiver wire column, I was surprised to see Freeman rostered in just 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Freeman has been mired in a three-way timeshare in Baltimore, but he’d fallen into the end zone in two games prior to Week 9. That alone typically gets running backs picked up by fantasy managers just chasing the score.
Devonta Freeman has risen from the ashes
This is the first time I’ve recommended adding Freeman all season because I, like many of you, thought Freeman was done. Freeman was an elite RB1 in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he was good, not great. That’s also the last time he was fantasy-relevant … until now.
I wrote Freeman off after the 2019 campaign when he returned from injury and looked completely cooked. It was over. Then, in 2020, Freeman found a role with the Giants and looked terrible. He only got a job with the Ravens because they lost their top three running backs to injury before the season even started.
The Ravens’ new lead back
Freeman debuted in Week 2 and barely saw the field for his first three games. Since Week 5, however, his snap share has steadily risen. It went from 27% to 30%, 40%, and 58% last week. Latavius Murray’s 62% Week 4 snap share is the only number higher than Freeman’s in the backfield this year.
Freeman is likely going to need to avoid negative game script to produce. Fortunately, the Ravens have one of the best offenses in the NFL. In Week 9, Freeman carried the ball 13 times for 79 yards. He scored a touchdown for the third consecutive week, this time through the air. Over his last four games, Freeman has seen 12 targets.
While certainly nowhere near as talented as J.K. Dobbins or Gus Edwards at this point in his career, Freeman is competent enough to produce with decent volume. He also appears to be the back the team trusts the most on passing downs, which keeps him on the field.
Fantasy managers have been chasing the Ravens’ lead running back all season and haven’t been able to find him. The answer may be Freeman.
Add Freeman off the Week 10 waiver wire
This is pretty much an order. It is tough out there for fantasy teams in need of running backs. With just five weeks left in the fantasy regular season, there aren’t going to be many more opportunities to find a starter on the waiver wire.
Even if you only need Freeman to cover bye weeks or injuries this week, he’s worth picking up. The Ravens play the Dolphins Thursday night. Miami is one of the most favorable matchups for opposing running backs, as they are bottom-five in fantasy points allowed to the position.
Even if Latavius Murray is able to return from his ankle injury, Freeman has earned the lead role. Baltimore has no allegiance to any of these backs. They will continue to use the one performing the best. That’s Freeman.
I admit this article has really talked up Freeman and made him sound like this great starter. He’s still just a touchdown-dependent RB3. However, that has a lot of value, especially this late in the season. For those looking for specific FAAB recommendations, Freeman is likely worth 10-15% if you’re just stashing him. If you need him long term or just really need an RB2 this week, I would almost be willing to bid whatever it takes to get him.
