Fantasy Football: 6 Takeaways From Preseason Week 1

Darren McFadden Is the Cowboys Back to Buy

With Ezekiel Elliott set to miss the first six games due to a suspension, we need to figure out who the second guy on the Dallas Cowboys' running back totem pole is going to be. Darren McFadden struggled in the Hall of Fame game, inspiring chatter that Alfred Morris could claim the throne. Saturday's game seemed to temporarily put that notion to rest.

McFadden had six carries and four targets in those snaps, too, so dude was busy.

We know how valuable this real estate is, given the dominant unit the Cowboys have blocking up front. Getting six games of McFadden before Elliott returned would seem to make him a huge fantasy asset, but we didn't know before that he would definitively be that guy. This weekend seems to indicate that will be the case.

In looking at drafts that have taken place since Elliott's suspension was announced, McFadden's ADP is in the 10th round. That's behind Jacquizz Rodgers, who figures to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' lead back for three games until Doug Martin returns. It would seem as if McFadden is still due for a bit of a boost even with some questions about his effectiveness lingering. Until we see more first-team usage for Morris or Rod Smith or receive some sort of fluctuation in the Elliott suspension, it's likely time to start snagging McFadden just before the double-digit rounds.