Market Share Report: The Raiders Are a Nightmare Again

Carry Market Shares

1. Fare Thee Well, Doug Martin

Usually, when we're talking about a starting running back in a negative sense, it's because he started to lose carries to a backup. Doug Martin didn't lose carries to Jacquizz Rodgers; he lost his spot on the gosh darn active roster.

Martin was a healthy inactive in Week 16 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, opening the door for Rodgers to take over as the lead back. Rodgers had 15 of 18 running-back carries while playing 61% of the snaps with Charles Sims handling the rest of the work. Martin just got to watch and wonder from the sidelines.

Martin very clearly has no value for Week 17, and his re-draft value for next year is obviously in doubt. But Rodgers could be intriguing if the team commits to him entering Sunday's contest against the Carolina Panthers. Lead-back usage and a healthy snap count is desirable for any home favorite, so be sure to track this situation throughout the week to see if you can plug him in with Martin on the back burner.

2. The Raiders Are a Nightmare Again

It was just too easy to finally trust and adore Latavius Murray. You knew the good vibes couldn't last.

Murray finished Sunday's victory over the Indianapolis Colts with just 15 of 33 running-back carries, barely edging DeAndre Washington for the team lead. Washington brought the productivity with 12 carries for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns, making Murray's lagging usage even a bit more glaring. Simply put: this situation sucks just as much as it did earlier in the season.

Murray played just 40.8% of the snaps, his lowest since Week 8 and well below the threshold we want for a running back. He'd be hard to trust even if Derek Carr were healthy, but with Carr out for six to eight weeks, there's no chance Murray has any fantasy value. This is a backfield we need to avoid until some clarity arises.

3. Paul Perkins Climbs the Totem Pole

It's infinitely less frustrating when teams do exactly what they say they'll do. Last week, the New York Giants said they wanted to expand the role that Paul Perkins played in the offense. Lo and behold, that's actually what happened in Week 16. Bless up, you beautiful beasts.

Perkins finished with 15 carries, easily out-pacing Rashad Jennings' nine. It was only the second time this year that Perkins had out-carried Jennings in a game where both were active, and Perkins had just seven carries in the other. Perkins' snap rate was still scary at 38%, but it seems clear that the team wants the ball in his hands.

The Giants have nothing to play for in Week 17, so you'll likely want to avoid both of these guys for that one. But if you're inclined to target the Giants' ground attack in the playoffs, it appears that Perkins is the guy you want. As for next season, Perkins' ascent to being the top dog seems more inevitable now than it did last week.