Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon are now relevant in fantasy football. Waiver Wire pickups should be blazing with the news of Adrian Peterson beating his son (news with pics *warning its sad) and now ruled out for week 2. So who should you add off of waivers, Jerick McKinnon or Matt Asiata?
The short answer? Matt Asiata is the week 2 pickup. But in the long term you better stash Jerick McKinnon. I can't see the NFL not suspending Adrian Peterson indefinitely. Which mean AP owners need to find help, ASAP. If you don't like Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon then you should take a look at this article, which outlines options other than AP's backups.
Jerick McKinnon Fantasy Football Value
McKinnon finished his college career with 3,899 rushing yards and 42, source. He had the second highest 40 time in the NFL Draft @ 4.41. Top that off with McKinnon's SPARQ score of 147.5, one of the top scores among all running backs over the last 16 years, and we've got a beast in the making. McKinnon is going to be a change-of-pace back behind Asiata to in week 2, but his fantasy ceiling is far higher.
McKinnon was an option quarterback at Georgia Southern, needless to say there's a lot for McKinnon to learn at the NFL level to become a running back. The transition will be tough and obviously isn’t guaranteed. But when you’re the kind of freak McKinnon is, you tend to do well in the NFL. If there's any doubt which way I'm leaning, I recommend McKinnon over Asiata. Hey, speaking of Asiata...
Matt Asiata Fantasy Football Value
When was the last time a solid goal line back became available post waiver wire Wednesday? Ya that's what I thought. Enter Matt Asiata, a 234 pound 6'0 brick that runs like a refrigerator. He's not going to have many, if any, 20+ yard runs. But he showed us last year he's a serviceable NFL backup as he started two games totaling 44 carries for 166 yards and three touchdowns. If you need help in week 2 to replace AP, look to Asiata if your waiver wire is lacking RB depth. Otherwise, I've already opted for McKinnon is all of my leagues. But who the hell am I? It's anyone's guess right now.
So Jerick McKinnon gets my hat tip over Matt Asiata as the pickup to make with Adrian Peterson out week 2. They face New England, whom was probably looking to shut down Purple Jesus at all cost. Now they're stuck making a new game plan? Or is it to late for that? I'll be watching the game but I suspect whoever is running the ball this weekend for the Vikings, it won't be against an 8 man box.
