Despite being on a “pitch count” and coming off the bench, Eagles RB Corey Clement outgained and outplayed “starter” Wendell Smallwood. Clement racked up 69 total yards and a score on just 14 touches (3 rec.), as compared to a paltry 51 scoreless yards for Smallwood on 19 looks (2.68 per touch). Considering this lower touch ratio was by design as Clement was being eased in from his quad injury, his volume and fantasy outputs should only further ascend in the coming weeks.
Importantly, Clement emerged from this one unscathed, and should see his workload increase here on out. He looked far more explosive, and carried over his Red Zone presence from last year with a 1 yard scoring plunge. This overall offense is rounding into form as Carson Wentz gains health, so Clement’s RZ role will be imperative. He’s a quality FLEX, at minimum, moving forward. The high-end RB2 upside is real.
Meanwhile, Smallwood has to fall considerably in Season Long Rankings. He’ll remain a piece of this backfield, but likely more of a 10-15 touch guy between-the-20s, ceding the more valuable receiving and GL work to Clement (and eventually Sproles). This caps Smallwood’s ultimate ceiling and makes him tough to trust outside of desperate Bye Week situations.
