RADIO
C.J. Anderson 2019 Player Outlook: New Team, Worse Situation
6 years agoAnderson had a career resurgence at the end of 2018 when he stepped in for an ailing Todd Gurley and stepped up down the stretch for the St. Louis Rams and fantasy owners by running for 299 yards and two touchdowns over the final two games of the regular season. He also rumbled for 123 yards and a pair of scores in a Divisional Round win over the Dallas Cowboys. The thanks Anderson got from the Rams was not being brought back. Now with the Detroit Lions, Anderson’s situation brings good news and bad news. The good news is he is No. 2 on the depth chart at RB and No. 1 Kerryon Johnson missed a half-dozen games during his rookie season and is no lock to stay healthy or keep the starting spot the whole season. The bad news is Anderson will no longer have St. Louis’ mammoth offensive line blocking for him or Jared Goff’s passing keeping front sevens honest. But the biggest thing going against Anderson is that only one running back (Reggie Bush in 2013) has rushed for 1,000 yards in the 10 years Matthew Stafford has been the starting signal caller. Do not bank on Anderson to buck the trend in 2019, but he may be useful in spot situations if Johnson’s body does not hold up.
