Ryan Mathews (RB, PHI) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: While owning Ryan Mathews has quite the “handcuffy” feel to it, he still has put forward three weeks out of seven that would absolutely warrant playing him. If you’re in a league with a bench spot that you aren’t extremely attached to, it would be advisable to grab Mathews.

The Eagles appear to have figured something out as far as their rushing attack goes. While DeMarco Murray is the main beneficiary of this moving forward, should something happen to him that will fall into Mathews’ lap. Sam Bradford is still trying to remember how to throw a football apparently, and some of his receivers aren’t helping out, but the offensive line appears to be gaining an identity as far as blocking goes. The New York Giants had boasted a good rush defense for 2015, until they went to Philadelphia and got lambasted in Week 6. Week 7 saw Mathews only get six carries against a very strong Carolina front, but he ended up with 97 yards and a touchdown, while also adding three catches for 24 yards.

Ryan Mathews is reliant on the home run given how many carries he gets right now. In these past three games where the Eagles have shown some life on the ground, Mathews is averaging around ten touches. Again, this is mostly about what he becomes if Murray is out, which was flashed with that Week 3 effort against the Jets. Be aware. But also enjoy that he has the potential to put up 15+ points should you need to plug him in due to injury or bye weeks.