Introduction

Injury news can send shockwaves through the fantasy football community, drastically altering the landscape of player evaluations and draft strategies. This is particularly true for running backs, where a single injury can have a profound impact on the depth chart, the player’s draft position, and ultimately, their fantasy value. Cam Akers’ previous struggles, the addition of Henderson, and the unexpected injuries to key players often lead to rapid shifts in ADP as managers scramble to recalibrate their expectations and adjust their rosters. In this article, we’ll examine the impact of Darrell Henderson’s injury on his ADP, how it changes the Los Angeles Rams’ backfield, and how fantasy managers should approach this situation.

The Significance of ADP in Fantasy Football

Average Draft Position (ADP) is a crucial metric in fantasy football. It serves as a guideline for where players are typically selected in drafts based on their expected performance for the upcoming season. A player’s ADP is largely determined by a mix of factors, including their past performance, the strength of their team, coaching changes, and other variables such as injuries.

However, injuries can lead to massive fluctuations in a player’s ADP. If a player who was previously projected to be an early-round pick suffers an injury, their ADP will likely fall, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding their recovery and impact on the season. Conversely, a previously undervalued player can see a dramatic increase in ADP if they stand to inherit a larger role due to an injury to a teammate.

For a player like Henderson, whose draft position is often affected by his status as a backup or rotational piece, an injury can alter his value both in terms of his immediate opportunity as well as the potential long-term implications for the Rams’ offense.

Henderson’s Injury: The Basics

Darrell Henderson, a former third-round pick out of Memphis, has been a valuable piece of the Los Angeles Rams’ offense in recent seasons, particularly when injuries have hit their backfield. His 2020 season, where he took on a significant role after Cam Akers was sidelined, highlighted his ability to produce when given the opportunity. However, his 2021 season was inconsistent, with both injury concerns and a lack of opportunity hindering his fantasy value. The news of his injury could have far-reaching consequences for fantasy football owners, especially those who had already made decisions based on his previous ADP trends.

Henderson’s injury could be significant for a variety of reasons. Not only does it impact his ability to be a reliable RB2 or flex option, but it also has a ripple effect on the entire Rams’ backfield, including the other running backs on the roster. In particular, Akers, who had a disappointing 2021 season but showed promise in previous years, could see an uptick in usage as a result of Henderson’s injury.

The Impact on Henderson’s ADP

Before the injury, Henderson was expected to be a mid-to-late-round pick in most fantasy leagues, typically landing somewhere between rounds 8 and 12, depending on league format and scoring system. Henderson was seen as a potential value pick, given his ability to carve out a role in a high-powered Rams offense, even if he wasn’t the clear-cut starter.

However, with the injury news, Henderson’s ADP will likely take a significant hit. Fantasy managers will be wary of drafting a player who is injured or recovering from an injury, especially when there are alternatives available in similar rounds. If Henderson’s injury causes him to miss time during the regular season, his value could fall further, potentially making him a late-round flyer or an afterthought in some drafts.

This shift in ADP can also impact the Rams’ other running backs, most notably Cam Akers and potentially rookie or lesser-known players who might be thrust into more prominent roles. If Henderson’s injury results in a more significant workload for Akers, we could see Akers’ ADP rise as fantasy managers look to take advantage of his potential volume in the backfield.

How the Injury Alters the Rams’ Backfield

Henderson’s injury brings into question how the Rams will handle their running back committee. While Akers has shown promise as a lead back in the past, he has been recovering from his own Achilles injury and has not fully regained the trust of the Rams’ coaching staff. With Henderson’s injury, the Rams will likely turn to Akers as the primary back, but they may also mix in other players to mitigate injury risk and keep the offense balanced.

The injury creates an interesting dynamic for fantasy football managers because it raises the possibility of a more significant split in workload. Here’s how the different running backs in the Rams’ backfield could be affected by Henderson’s injury:

1. Cam Akers

Akers, who was once regarded as one of the top young running backs in the league before his Achilles injury, has been a mystery in recent years. The Rams are expected to lean heavily on him, given that he’s their most proven option. Akers is likely to see a significant boost in ADP as a result of Henderson’s injury, particularly if the injury sidelines Henderson for an extended period. The increased workload for Akers will make him a popular target for fantasy managers who are looking for a reliable RB2 with upside.

Akers’ ADP might rise from the mid-rounds to the early rounds, especially if there are concerns about the other options in the Rams’ backfield. He could become a more reliable option in the second or third round in standard leagues, with some managers even considering him in the first round if the injury news is favorable.

2. Malcolm Brown

While Brown is no longer a key piece of the Rams’ backfield, his name could pop up on the radar if Henderson’s injury persists. Brown’s role in the Rams’ offense is somewhat limited, but he could serve as a complementary piece to Akers, particularly in short-yardage or goal-line situations. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues or those looking for handcuffs might consider Brown as a late-round pick, though his upside remains limited.

3. Rookie Running Back (if applicable)

If the Rams decide to bring in a rookie or another less proven running back, the uncertainty surrounding Henderson’s injury could lead to speculative drafts. Fantasy managers could target a rookie or backup who may get a shot at the starting role in the event of a more significant injury. It’s unlikely the Rams would rely heavily on a rookie, but with Henderson out of the picture, the situation becomes much more unpredictable.

4. Receiving Game

With Henderson sidelined, the Rams may opt to use more passing plays to make up for the lack of a dynamic running game. If this happens, players like Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Tyler Higbee could see increased value, while the backfield would take a backseat in terms of fantasy impact.

How Should Fantasy Managers Adapt?

When a significant injury occurs, it forces fantasy managers to rethink their strategies. The injury to Henderson presents an opportunity for managers to either capitalize on the increased value of other Rams players or to adapt their approach to the running back position as a whole. Here’s how managers might adjust their strategies in response:

1. Targeting Akers as a Value Pick

With Henderson injured, Cam Akers becomes the de facto leader of the Rams’ backfield. Fantasy managers should consider targeting Akers if his ADP shifts in the late second to early third round. Akers has the potential to be a solid RB2 with the upside of an RB1 if he can stay healthy and earn the full workload.

2. Avoiding Henderson in Early Rounds

Given his injury concerns, it would be wise for fantasy managers to steer clear of drafting Henderson in early rounds. Instead, take a wait-and-see approach and consider drafting him as a late-round flier if his injury status clears up by the start of the season. He could still offer value as a backup or flex player if he recovers, but the injury risks make him too uncertain for early-round selection.

3. Looking for Late-Round Handcuffs

If you’re drafting Akers in the first few rounds, you may want to target his handcuff in the later rounds to protect your investment. Malcolm Brown or another Rams back could provide insurance in case Akers is injured or doesn’t perform up to expectations.

The injury to Darrell Henderson has significant implications for both his ADP and the overall fantasy football landscape. With Henderson out, the Rams’ backfield becomes a more volatile situation, with Cam Akers likely to see a bump in value. Fantasy managers will need to weigh the risk and reward of investing in Akers, and should be cautious about taking Henderson too high, given the uncertainty of his recovery.

Ultimately, the Henderson injury is a reminder of how fluid the fantasy football landscape can be. Injuries create ripple effects that can impact a player’s ADP, influence drafting strategies, and ultimately determine the success of a fantasy team. As the season progresses, it will be important to monitor Henderson’s recovery and the Rams’ backfield rotation closely, as the fantasy implications could evolve rapidly.