Should I Pick Up Gus Edwards After His Week 7 Performance? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

The Baltimore Ravens dealt with a litany of injuries last season, including their dominant duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Both backs were still dealing with injuries entering the season, however, it was Dobbins who returned to action first in Week 3.

Edwards was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of their game on Sunday, leading to him making his 2022 debut. After a report was released that he was taking first-team reps in warmups, many believed he could be the starter.

After an impressive performance against the Browns, many fantasy managers are racing to the waiver wire to add him, if they haven't already, creating two questions. Will he remain the lead back moving forward? Should you pick him up in fantasy leagues after his Week 7 showing?

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What Did Gus Edwards Do In Week 7?

Edwards came off the PUP list and immediately made an impact for fantasy.

Edwards handled 16 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 18.6 fantasy points as the RB8 on the week in half-PPR scoring.

Were There Any Worrying Signs With Gus Edwards In Week 7?

The Ravens still elected to use a backfield-by-committee approach, providing 11 carries to Kenyan Drake, five carries to Justice Hill, and one carry to fullback Patrick Ricard. Additionally, the snap count between the three tailbacks was quite similar.

It's possible that Edwards carves out more work the further removed from his injury he is, but it's unlikely he ever receives a workhorse role, both because Baltimore has a history of including secondary backs and because Edwards is 27 years old, coming off a major knee injury.

The other problem with rostering a Ravens running back is you are always competing with quarterback Lamar Jackson for carries. Jackson currently leads the team in rushing attempts (66) and rushing yards (510).

It is also worth noting that over the next three weeks, he'll face Tampa Bay, face New Orleans, and have his bye week.

Should I Pickup Gus Edwards Off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football?

His return coincided with Dobbins landing on the injured reserve list.

The combination of these two transactions leaves Edwards firmly cemented as the lead back moving forward. Dobbins will miss at least three additional games and could miss even more, meaning you have the starting running back for a team that ranks eighth in rushing attempts, fifth in rushing yards, and 16th in rushing touchdowns, granted some of that production comes from Jackson.

Edwards is a priority add as a top-36 running back with top-24 weekly upside.

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