Not a minute after publishing a Stock Down report on Jay Ajayi, news broke that the Eagles RB tore his ACL and will be done for 2018. Though Ajayi’s usage may have been inconsistent, he remained a key-cog at the stripe for this high-powered attack, scoring 3 TDs through his first two active games, while also leading the team in carries. In his absence, Wendell Smallwood (4% owned) and Corey Clement (23%) project to see steady volume increases. Both are priority Week 6 Waiver Wire Adds, particularly to see if one can emerge as the lead-RB at the stripe.
Of course, who that will be is an enormous question mark. Clement led Eagles RBs with 6 TDs in 2017, and seems the natural favorite. Yet, Smallwood has played surprisingly well in his limited action, converting a GL carry in Week 3 while hauling in a score in Week 6.
If I was a betting man, I’d side on Smallwood as the main beneficiary here. He’s averaging a robust 6.0 YPC. He’s been balling, and should have the inside track to early volume with Clement still nursing a quad injury.
This backfield will remain tough to project each week, as Doug Pederson has always loved committees. But with Carson Wentz rounding into form, a GL favorite would still carry high weekly value. Stash both if possible, and target Smallwood first if you have room for only one.
