Fantasy Update: Bobby Rainey Going Off for Buccaneers

Nov 11, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey (43) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Miami Dolphins 22-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In case you are a fantasy football waiver wire hawk like I am, you might want to be aware that Tampa Bay running back Bobby Rainey, a second year player out of Western Kentucky (what?) who has already been cut by two teams in his career (Ravens, Browns) is going off in relief of not only Doug Martin but Martin’s backup Mike James.

Rainey has 15 carries for 115 yards and two rushing touchdowns as well as two catches and a third touchdown through the air.

Unless you got really lucky in your draft, this is a bad year for big name running backs and Rainey should be added without question. He is making a name for himself and might not match this kind of production again, but he’s certainly worth a flier in all fantasy league formats and should be the Bucs’ primary ball-carrier going forward.

Here’s my scouting report on Rainey, who was a sleeper in the draft that is waking up before our very eyes.

Very productive kid who has carried the ball a ton over the last four years. He has amassed nearly 400 carries in 2011 alone and had 340 as a junior. He’s gotten better as the season has gone on, but he clearly didn’t have his best games running the ball against good teams like LSU or Kentucky. He has good speed and quickness, and is obviously a polished receiver out of the backfield who can make people miss. Built slightly similar to Maurice Jones-Drew or Ray Rice but reminds me a lot more of a poor man’s version of either guy. Definitely a fearless runner on the inside, but is most effective (or will be in the NFL) when he gets out in space. Runs low and is really slippery and tough to tackle. He doesn’t get engulfed all the time like you would expect from a short runner, because he is so determined to break that first contact. He has solid breakaway speed but is not a burner like you would expect from someone of his height.

Player comparison: Poor man’s Maurice Jones-Drew