Is the Ravens’ RB a Player To Target This Week?

With the fantasy football playoffs underway, managers are scrambling to find all available options to utilize. Thus, Baltimore Ravens RB Melvin Gordon III could be a name people consider this week. Now that we know that Keaton Mitchell looks set to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, Gordon should be activated to the Ravens’ 53-man roster this week.

The big question for fantasy managers is what role Gordon could play. Is he worth adding off the waiver wire before Week 16?

Should Melvin Gordon III Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 16?

Gordon is a name many will recognize from his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, which could make him a popular name on the waiver wire this week. However, Gordon doesn’t appear to be an “acquire at all costs” type of option in a crowded Ravens’ backfield.

Despite now losing two running backs for the season — Mitchell and J.K. Dobbins — Baltimore still has two other RBs on their roster that they seem to trust running the ball. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill have been mainstays for the Ravens the past few years and have proven very adept at standing up to be counted when called upon.

MORE: Should You Pick Up Justice Hill Off Of The Waiver Wire This Week?

If Gordon plays in Week 16, it will be his third game for the Ravens this season. He has carried the ball 13 total times for 53 yards and has three receptions on three targets for 46 yards. The majority of his usage game in a 22-19 OT loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. Gordon carried the ball 10 times and saw two targets during that contest.

Most of that work came in the second half and overtime after Edwards handled much of the first half. Edwards was placed into the concussion protocol during that game, leaving Gordon and Kenyan Drake as the Ravens’ only active backs. Baltimore was also without Hill due to a foot injury that week.

It’s tough to know what the split will be for the Ravens. Since Mitchell’s emergence, Edwards has not dominated the backfield. But before that, he had regularly been seeing 15+ touches a game. Hill also looked spry during the game against the Jaguars as he filled in for Mitchell late.

In those two games that Gordon was active back in Weeks 3 and 4, Edwards dominated the touches outside of his injury. He had seen the majority of the touches during the first half and was on pace to get close to 20, had he not been evaluated for a concussion.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

The following week, Edwards out-touched Gordon 17-4 in the Ravens win over the Cleveland Browns. That game also saw the return of Hill, who had three carries as he worked his way back from a foot injury. That split gives us an indication of what we might see this week from the Ravens.

The most likely situation is that Baltimore will lean on Edwards, utilizing Hill as a change-of-pace option. Gordon’s role will likely be as a direct backup option to either back and mix in from time to time. For Gordon to see 10+ touches this week, Edwards would likely need to be limited or out due to injury.

Therefore, Gordon’s main value on the waiver wire this week is as a handcuff for Edwards. The Ravens have tended not to want to use Hill in a starting role. That could mean Gordon has a chance to start in the next three weeks if Edwards gets hurt and misses a game.

In terms of how you prioritize him, it depends on your other needs, but if you need help at RB or insurance for Edwards, it could be worth spending as much as 15-20% of your remaining FAAB on the chance he gets to be a starter.

We saw that he still has a little spark left in his cameo appearances earlier this season, and in this offense, Gordon could be a league-winner as a starter for a week or two.

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