Is Devin Neal a startable RB in the fantasy playoffs?
Yahoo Fantasy's Matt Harmon and Nate Tice discuss why Devin Neal is a startable option for fantasy managers going forward. Hear the full conversation on the “Yahoo Fantasy Forecast” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
I couldnt agree more with your assessment of him.
It's just kind of a teach-back, like shoulder square to the line of scrimmage.
Uh, he's just very, very fundamentally sound.
He'll make a great running back coach one day.
Well, Devin Neal, if that's what he wants to do, because he's so fundamentally sound as a runner.
And for this team right now, that just kind of needs to stay on schedule with some of the, You know, general chaos of that offense, I think that he's a perfect fit there.
So some of the next three games for him are really nice, Man.
So, in the fantasy postseason.
If Devin Neal is on your roster, he's definitely someone to consider.
Panthers, Jets, Titans.
Um, this week against the Panthers might be his most difficult matchup.
I think from a run defense view.
And, um, Uh, its plenty fine enough to start a run back against the Panthers.
I would just say, from a ranking standpoint, you can't get crazy high on Neil, just because Of the offensive environment, like how many points is this team projected to score Score.
Um, but I think he's under consideration, I don't know, like Kenneth Walker.
Is Kenneth Walker a better fantasy player?
Whos better than Devin Neal right now?
I mean, Kenneth Walker, you can't reliably say he gets all the touches in his backfield.
Right, and Ithat's the thinghis skill set is one of those you can find cheapies with At, and this is like the tight end discussion is like the tight ends that can block running Back like this, Neil, who's solid again, I'm not saying overwhelmed, But solid, like where the coaches are like, yeah.
Yeah, he can do it, as opposed to, like, he can't do this.
Solid as a screen runner, solid as a checkdown guy and a receiver who can make one.
I miss, kind of get some easy yards.
Um, again, I have to emphasize this good protection: as soon as he got healthy, They're like, you are a third-down back.
That is very interesting to me when I back a day three back, And the coaches are like, No, no, we want him.
There are actually a few rookies who have been This year, like, shout out to this rookie class, by the way.
Um, but it's just that he's out there, and they trust him.
But that also means when you get a smart coaching staff like this, tendencies.
All right, hes on the field for his pass rush.
OK, here comes the screen off of that.
And so you kind of get some of those red zone screens that can turn into touchdowns.
Just more opportunities available, just like the blocking tight end discussion we've had had over the last couple of years.
It's just 'cause you're on the field, you end up getting these cheap shots.
I shouldn't say cheap, but just more more opportunities to score a touchdown, To get a big play, to get a shot play, just to get more stuff.
So, I don't know, I liked him as a player and I just was like, This is kind of exactly how I envisioned him laying out.
Especially with Kamara.
He's been a better pass protector than him.
This year.
And I, I, I have no qualms with saying that.
Um, so that'sI don't know, I, I'm, I'm kind of encouraged by what I've seen so far.
It's not the sexiest back, but he's a good solid running back.
