Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy football fans were completely enamored with Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell earlier this summer. The rookie was being drafted as a top-20 running back and he was quickly becoming one of the more popular flex backs in fantasy. However, a plantar fasciitis injury has Bell slatted to miss the next 6-8 weeks and has caused his fantasy value to plummet.
The next back to become a popular fantasy pick in the Steel City was Jonathan Dwyer, but the team shockingly cut him last week. Needless to say, it has left many fantasy owners scrambling this week to find a starting back.
The only veteran back left on Pittsburgh’s roster, though, is Isaac Redman. He will likely be the opening day starting running back, as he remains above Felix Jones and LeRod Stephen-Howling on the depth chart. Redman has missed almost the entire preseason with a hip stinger, but his overall experience in the offense has kept him on top of the depth chart.
Pittsburgh plays the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, which is a good matchup for any running back. The Titans were ranked 21st in the NFL in rushing last season and the team has some glaring holes on their d-line. If Redman can stay involved and get between 18-20 carries, he could end up having a huge game.
Redman was the team’s starter for a period of time last season and he did fairly well in the role. In the team’s Week 9 matchup against the New York Giants, Redman ripped off 147 yards and scored a touchdown. He obviously isn’t Adrian Peterson, but the veteran is capable of having big games.
Redman may not be a top-20 option in Week 1, but he can still be a useful starter in 14-man leagues. If you don’t have many other options this week, Redman can be a decent sleeper to use as a flex play.
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Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
