NFL Experience: 6 Years
Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Round 7
College: Liberty
2013 Statistics | Games | Att | Yards | AVG | Fantasy Points |
| 15 | 163 | 733 | 4.5 | 138.50 |
Best Performance
Week 9 vs. Philadelphia: 102 rushing yards, 74 receiving yards, one rush touchdown
Up to this point, Jennings had mostly been timesharing the running back duties, only having the field to himself once in Week 5. He finally broke out in Week 9, and even though the Raiders got wiped out by the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-49, Jennings played like a winner that week as he covered the primary running back duties for the team.
If you were brave enough to draft Darren McFadden on your fantasy team, you knew it was only a matter of time before his slew of injuries would keep him sidelined. Therefore, adding Jennings as a backup to your roster was a smart move. Jennings rewarded 23.60 fantasy points in Week 9, making those who started him happy campers.
Best Four-Game Stretch
Weeks 9-12: 413 rushing yards, 140 receiving yards, two touchdowns
McFadden who? Jennings had the running back job for the Raiders well under control. Averaging over 100 rush yards per game, along with racking up some receptions and scoring double-digit fantasy points four weeks in a row was making Jennings a must-start now in fantasy lineups.
Who cares that the Raiders lost three of four games in this stretch, even surrendering a win to Houston? As long as Jennings was producing, that was all fantasy football owners cared about.
Lowest Statistical Standpoint
Week 5 vs. San Diego: 41 rush yards, zero receiving yards, zero touchdowns
Jennings didn’t make much of a splash in his first full week of running back responsibility, while filling in for McFadden, who sustained an ankle injury. Despite Jennings being heavily detained by the Chargers’ defense, the Raiders managed to pull off a win 27-17. Hopefully fantasy owners went with their gut this week and stayed clear of Jennings, who only coughed up 4.10 fantasy points.
2013 Season at a Glance
Jennings, who was fill-in some of the time, or timesharing other weeks finished the season ranking 21st for running backs. This is not too bad of a statistic considering he is ranked higher than other running backs who played all season in a primary role. Credit is due here.
His four-game stretch during Weeks 9-12, where he did play as the Raiders primary ball carrier was a fine example of Jennings hidden talent. Jennings showed awesome potential and definitely proved to the Raiders that they could rely on him while the gimpy McFadden was sidelined.
If you took advantage using Jennings in your fantasy lineup, more often than not, he typically performed as a reliable RB1-2 for your fantasy team.
2014 Outlook
2014 will likely take Jennings from the west coast to the east coast as he is expected to sign a contract to join the New York Giants. If he inks his deal, it will remain to be seen if he will be utilized as a lead back, or in a running back by committee situation with either David Wilson; when he returns healthy from his neck surgery; Andre Brown if he remains with the team, or even Peyton Hillis; who the Giants still have on their roster.
Jennings put up some impressive stats with 4.5 yards per carry in his 733 yards and zero fumbles which should be music to coach, Tom Coughlin’s ears.
As fantasy football drafts approach, we will have to follow what exact plans the Giants have for Jennings, and if it is a timesharing situation on the field, Jennings only carries RB2 or flex value in 2014. Should he take the lead role, he has plenty of potential to breakout into RB1 fantasy territory.
Next Up: No. 91, Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens