Week 14 Flex Rankings: Miles and Myles Apart

Myles Gaskin and Miles Sanders currently rank in the top 25 among running backs in fantasy points per game. They are also both 23 years old and in their second NFL seasons. But that is about where the similarities end for the pair of running backs. The paths they have taken to their current rankings are quite different, and they are trending in opposite directions as Week 14 approaches. If you had told me three months ago that Gaskin would be listed ahead of Sanders in my Week 14 Flex rankings, I would not have believed you. Hell, if you had told me that three weeks ago, I probably would not have bought it.

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Miles Sanders Output and Week 14 Outlook

Miles Sanders was a hot commodity during 2020 fantasy football drafts. Sanders eclipsed 1,300 total yards in his rookie season and seemed to have little competition for touches in the Eagles backfield. Even when a hamstring injury put his availability for Week 1 in doubt, fantasy managers were targeting Sanders at the 1-2 turn in most leagues. Sanders did indeed miss Week 1 but quickly made up for it upon his return. He averaged over 100 yards from scrimmage over his first five games. However, a 74-yard run in Week 6 resulted in an injury to his knee that cost him two more games. Sanders returned in Week 10 and seemed to reestablish himself rather quickly. Though he failed to hit paydirt, he averaged 88 total yards in his first two games back. His role seemed secure in the Eagles backfield. That has not been the case of late, however.

Sanders carried the ball just six times in a Week 12 loss against Seattle, netting a mere 15 rushing yards. Last week’s effort against Green Bay was arguably more disturbing. Facing a very weak Packers run defense, Sanders mustered just 31 yards on 10 carries. He has now gone four consecutive games without a single 15-yard run since his return from injury. His recent usage is even more alarming than his production. During Weeks 2-5, Sanders was on the field for 79.2 percent of offensive snaps and averaged 18.3 touches per game. Over the last four weeks, Sanders has seen action on just 59.3 percent of plays and has averaged 13.5 touches. Even if his usage increases to previous levels this week, his upcoming matchup is generally one that fantasy managers should attempt to avoid.

The New Orleans Saints allow the fewest fantasy points to running backs of any team in the NFL. New Orleans has been even more stingy than usual of late. Over the last month, they have allowed just 319 scoreless yards from scrimmage to opposing running backs. That includes a league-low eight receptions for a mere 45 yards. Perhaps the insertion of Jalen Hurts into the starting lineup will jumpstart Philadelphia’s slumping offense. However, given Sanders’ recent struggles and the Saints’ defense, it is difficult for fantasy managers to have a ton of faith in Sanders this week. He is currently a Flex play according to my Week 14 Flex rankings and maybe worth benching depending on the other options available on your roster.

Myles Gaskin Output and Week 14 Outlook

Myles Gaskin played just seven games in 2019. He ran for only 133 yards and seemingly entered the 2020 season a distant third on Miami’s depth chart, behind both Jordan Howard and Matt Breida. To say he was an afterthought during fantasy draft season would be putting it mildly. Or should I say, “myldly”. Summertime chatter that Gaskin had impressed the coaching staff went largely ignored, and Gaskin went undrafted in most fantasy leagues. It was a surprise when he led the Dolphins in carries (16) and targets (11) over Miami’s first two games, but many fantasy managers remained skeptical. Chan Gailey continued to put more trust in Gaskin, and the second-year pro answered the bell. Over the next five games, Gaskin averaged nearly 21 touches per game and was the RB15 over that stretch despite Miami’s bye week taking place in Week 7.

Gaskin suffered a knee injury in Week 8 and the team soon put the running back on injured reserve. The Cinderella story seemed like it could be ending. Salvon Ahmed took over and was a reasonable facsimile of Gaskin. Ahmed was the RB21 from Weeks 9-11, but a shoulder injury has forced him to miss the last two games. When Gaskin returned to action last week, he stepped right back into his workhorse role. Gaskin had a career-high 141 scrimmage yards on 23 touches. He did lose his second fumble of the year, so that could be an issue to keep an eye on. For now, though, it certainly appears that Gaskin is back atop the pecking order. He should be in line for another 20-plus touches this week when the Dolphins host the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs have allowed just eight touchdowns to enemy running backs this season, and Gaskin has only scored twice himself. Based on that, he is not likely to have the type of ceiling that elite running backs possess. However, Kansas City’s rushing defense is less than stellar. They have permitted the sixth-most rushing yards to opposing backs this year. Even if Miami falls behind and cannot commit to the running game, Gaskin’s workload should be stable. Gaskin is one of the most efficient pass-catching backs in the NFL. He has 32 receptions on just 37 targets this year. His four receptions per game are fifth among running backs who have played at least four games. Gaskin is one of the few backs in the league who is essentially game script proof. Because of this, he sits as a solid RB2 in my Week 14 Flex rankings.

Carolina Question Marks

The Carolina Panthers have had several positive Covid-19 tests over the past few days. Carolina put seven players on the reserve/Covid list on Monday, including wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. The pair have combined for over 1,400 receiving yards so far this season. Their status for Sunday’s game has yet to be determined, so for now, they sit in rankings purgatory along with the likes of D’Andre Swift, Antonio Gibson, and Kenny Golladay, to name a few. If they can clear protocol before Sunday, they should be in most starting lineups. From Week 7 through Week 12, Moore and Samuel were top-12 fantasy wide receivers. Keep in mind that Moore is also dealing with an ankle injury, so he is no sure bet to suit up Sunday even if he can clear Covid protocol.

If Moore, Samuel, or both miss Carolina’s contest against Denver, the return of Christian McCaffrey should cushion the blow for the Panthers. The star running back is expected back from his shoulder injury in time to face his father’s former team. McCaffrey reportedly tweaked a quad during a recent personal workout and has been limited in practice thus far this week. Provided he is good to go on Sunday, he would immediately resume his lead back role and elite usage and fantasy production along with it. The return of McCaffrey would also spell the beginning of the end for the fantasy relevance of Mike Davis. Davis has a total of two rushing attempts in the three games McCaffrey has played this season.

Week 14 Flex Rankings

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