One of the hottest names going around the fantasy football world right now is newly acquired Tennessee Titans running back Terrance West. Many believe that he will win the starting job for the Titans at some point during the season, but there are others that think he will be Bishop Sankey’s primary backup.
Heading into Week 1 of the fantasy football season, owners need to know what they can expect from West.
West put together a very solid all-around season for the Cleveland Browns last year as a rookie. He ended up totaling 673 yards and four touchdowns on 171 carries, which made him the Browns’ top running back. It certainly wasn’t an amazing season, but he showed signs of top-notch potential for a rookie running back.
At 24 years old, there is no question that West has a lot more potential to work his way into over the next couple of seasons. He could very well end up being an every down workhorse in the future, but right now he will have to prove why he should start over Sankey.
Last season with the Titans, Sankey ended up carrying the football 152 times for 569 yards and two touchdowns.
Simply looking at the numbers last season for each running back, it gives fantasy owners reason to believe that West could work his way onto the field immediately in Week 1. Tennessee is going up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that could give up quite a few yards on the ground. West is also the favorite to get goal line carries at 5-foot-10 and 225 pounds.
Marcus Mariota isn’t going to be a dominant force through the air in 2015 and will need as much help on the ground as he can get. Sankey and West will both be getting carries this week and West could very well be a sleeper. It is risky to play him before seeing what type of production he puts up in Week 1, but if you desperately need a running back he isn’t a bad option.
While his projection below does not include a touchdown, there is a very good chance that he could end up coming away with one.
Week 1 Projection: 10 Carries, 32 Yards
