ESPN Ownership: 19%
Yahoo Ownership: 17%
Shaun Draughn comes to you recommended as a PPR-worthy waiver add only. But he is on the right team and, potentially, in the right position to be a solid contributor for your stretch run if things shake out right.
The reason Draughn is even a commodity worth discussing right now is due to his expanded role in Carlos Hyde's absence. Hyde's been dealing with a stress fracture in his foot and, like many suspected, was held out for the second game in a row as the 49ers took on the Seahawks on the road.
Naturally, the 49ers fell behind early, and the team was forced to make up ground through the aid, for which Draughn was the beneficiary, garnering 11 total targets and logging 8 receptions for 40 yards. Draughn also put up 37 yards on the ground on 12 carries for a very inefficient -1.31 Rushing NEP, but one can be forgiven for being inefficient against the Seahawks' fourth-ranked run defense.
Hyde's injury may continue to give the 49ers pause; he's one of, if not the only, talented, young skill position players they have. The team is also hip to the fact (at least one would hope) that they're not making the playoffs this year, so there's a chance they'll be tempted to let Hyde ride out the rest of the year on the pine. If Hyde sits (and even if he didn't), the 49ers figure to be playing a lot of catch up for the remainder of the season.
So if Draughn gets to keep the starting job due to the 49ers being extremely cautious over Hyde, he can be a valuable piece in your PPR league as Blaine Gabbert looks to him in the checkdown game. Add him if you're a Hyde owner and you can't get your hands on any of the previously mentioned running backs.