This season we have seen Javorius Allen go from deep dynasty stash to fantasy RB2. Those of us who frequent PlayerProfiler and listen to the RotoUnderworld Podcast knew that it would not take long for him to emerge. If you were unable to cash in on Allen’s ascendance, we have good news for you. There is another breakout running back likely sitting on waivers as you are reading this article.
The Profile
Dwayne Washington is a second year running back out of Washington who is currently the No. 3 back on the Detroit Lions’ Depth Chart. He was given an opportunity last year when both Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick went down with injuries, but he failed to capitalize. In that span, he posted a paltry 2.9 yards per carry (No. 84) and a -38.4 Production Premium (No. 82). However, this was all behind the Detroit Lions’ No. 30 offensive line.
Despite a lackluster rookie season, Dwayne Washington checks many of the boxes we look for in a sleeper. He is 6-1 and 223 pounds. At his size, his 4.53 40-yard dash gives him a 105.9 (79th-percentile) Speed Score. He also possesses a 127.3 Burst Score (87th-percentile) and an 11.07 Agility Score (80th-percentile). At only 23.4 years of age, he is a younger, bigger, and more athletic version of Javorius Allen.
Dwayne Washington Advanced Stats and Metrics.
The only two warning signs on Dwayne Washington‘s profile are his below average 22.2-percent (33rd-percentile) College Dominator Rating and his average 7.6-percent (48th-percentile) college target share. However, it must be noted that Washington is frequently used as a special-teams and passing down specialist. This will help alleviate concern about his receiving prowess and help him continue to secure NFL roster spots while he lingers around depth charts awaiting a second act in a primary running back role. Despite being viewed as a passing down back, similar to Javorius Allen, he has the requisite size to be a bell-cow in the NFL.
Javorius Allen Parallels
Many will point out that Dwayne Washington is still the No. 3 running back in Detroit. While that situation may not change in 2017, it could certainly change in the near future. As evidence, look at what happened to Javorius Allen this year. He began training camp as the No. 4 back in Baltimore. Kenneth Dixon went to IR in the preseason and Danny Woodhead was injured in Week 1. This opened the door for the talented Allen and now he appears to have usurped Terrance West.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JzFwG_jD6o
Ahead of Dwayne Washington are both Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah. We already know that Riddick is one of the elite satellite backs in the league. Meanwhile, Abdullah has had a underwhelming beginning to his career. Washington is in an eerily similar situation that Javorius Allen found himself in to begin the season. He has an underperforming back and an elite satellite back ahead of him. If either goes down with an injury, he will immediately be a hot waiver wire add.
The Conclusion
As of this writing, Dwayne Washington is injured and is still No.3 on the depth chart. But, if we can learn one thing from the rise of Javorius Allen, it’s that situations change. The only thing Washington needs to emerge as a breakout star is a few injuries to his competing running backs. When that occurs, he will emerge as a productive fantasy asset. Stash him now if you have a deep dynasty roster and reap the rewards later.
