Fantasy football managers walked into the Kenneth Gainwell honey pot last week. With Miles Sanders sidelined, all signs pointed to Gainwell being the Eagles' new lead back, but it was Boston Scott who emerged as such.
The real question might not be whether to roster Scott, rather whether you're willing to trust Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and which running back might take control of the backfield in Week 9.
So, if you're willing to risk getting burned again, how are expert analysts projecting Scott's outlook? Ours break down Scott's potential value and how much of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) to spend in order to roster him.
Boston Scott Fantasy Outlook
Chris Raybon
Scott has a great matchup vs. a Chargers run defense ranked 32nd in Football Outsiders' DVOA, but he’s a risky RB3/FLEX play this week because of the possibility of three backs — him, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard — getting work.
Scott operated as the Eagles' lead back last week, handling the first seven backfield carries of the game and logging 45% of the snaps while Gainwell played 31% and Howard played 25%.
Although the matchup against the Chargers is alluring, game script may not work in Scott’s favor as the Eagles are underdogs at home; they won’t romp their opponent 44-6 every week. A negative game script could be a major issue because the Eagles have been the most run-averse team in the league through eight weeks, averaging an NFL-low 16.6 backfield carries per game.
If the Eagles are in passing situations, it’s possible Gainwell becomes the preferred option, as the rookie has run 103 routes to Scott’s 25 this season.
There’s also the possibility of the 5-foot-6, 203-pound Scott getting vultured at the goal line by the 6-feet, 224-pound Howard. Both Scott and Howard got a carry inside the 5-yard line in the first half last week, with Scott totaling three carries inside the 5 for the game while Howard received two.
Scott has a high ceiling but a low floor in what will be a low-volume rush offense more often than not. He is no lock to play even half the snaps and could lose high-leverage goal-line snaps to Howard and passing down snaps to Gainwell, so I wouldn’t spend more than 15-20% of FAAB to roster Scott.
Samantha Previte
Please redirect your Kenny Gainwell-related anger at Nick Sirianni.
I deeply apologize for suggesting Gainwell would be the heir apparent with Miles Sanders ruled out for Week 8. Gainwell, Scott and Jordan Howard ended the game with nearly the same amount of touches, though almost all of Gainwell's work came very late in the game — well after it had gotten out of hand. He ended with 13 carries for 27 yards and just three fantasy points, while Scott and Howard each found the end zone two times.
I would rather avoid this backfield altogether, though we have seen Scott become a usable fantasy asset in a pinch. He is the preferred add over Howard for me this week.
Scott is a medium-priority RB add in my Week 9 breakdown of the waiver wire market.
Sean Koerner
I would consider Scott a one- or two-week rental for your fantasy squad and wouldn’t go overboard to roster him.
He is coming off a great performance against the Lions in which rushed for 60 yards and found the end zone twice, but the Eagles backfield is just too volatile with Jordan Howard and Kenneth Gainwell also in the mix.
A good matchup against the Chargers — who have the 32nd rush defense, per DVOA — makes Scott a low-end RB2, but Miles Sanders could return in two to three weeks, capping his upside.
It depends on your record, how desperate you are at RB and how much you think your league will bid on Scott, but I'd look at bidding around 20-30% of your FAAB to roster him if you are in need of a short-term rental.
