Dion

Lewis

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Lewis is retiring despite interest from teams. Once among the NFL’s most electric running backs, Lewis never regained his early-career form following a 2015 ACL injury that cut short an excellent season as Tom Brady’s pass-catching back in New England. Lewis somehow served as the Titans’ primary back for the early part of the 2018 season, until Derrick Henry took over and never looked back. Last year, Lewis had 48 touches and three touchdowns in 16 games for the Giants.

Lewis totaled 29-115-2 as a rusher and 19-127-1 as a receiver as a lightly-used change-of-pace back. He’ll enter his age-31 season in 2021 and will again be looking for a new team. Lewis doesn’t have a whole lot to offer anymore.

Freeman returned to practice Thursday but won’t test his injured ankle this weekend against the Football Team. Those who picked up Wayne Gallman will get another week with the Giants’ lead back, though Dion Lewis and Alfred Morris will eat into Gallman’s workload, as they did in Week 8 against the Eagles. With Freeman out last week, Gallman led the team’s backfield in snaps (43 percent) and carries (12). He’s a RB3 without much upside for Week 9.

Lewis caught a tremendous seven-yard touchdown to get the Giants a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but that was all the impact he made. Lewis didn’t register a carry.

Freeman had a useful fantasy outing against Dallas, rushing 17 times for 60 yards and a touchdown and catching two balls for 27 yards on three targets. Meanwhile, Wayne Gallman played 18 percent of the Giants’ snaps against the Cowboys. Dion Lewis played 29 percent. Freeman could end up being a savvy pickup for running back-needy fantasy players. He’ll continue to be a volume-based option in Week 6 against Washington.

Lewis and Wayne Gallman took a backseat to Devonta Freeman this week. While Lewis might maintain some role in the team’s passing game, he’s not worth rostering.

The answer to which Giants running back is fantasy viable is none. Lewis led the three-back committee in receiving categories, but that won’t matter if he only sees one carry as he did on Sunday. The Giants offense looks awful with injuries ravaging the starting lineup. Lewis can’t be trusted on the road against the Rams in Week 4. Neither can Freeman, who will be earning more snaps and touches as the season progresses.

Raanan is as plugged in as it gets in New York, and he advises to “get on that waiver wire and grab Lewis. ASAP.” Lewis is trusted in pass protection and should have the advantage on early downs in Week 3 over newly-signed RB Devonta Freeman who needs to learn a new playbook on short notice. The Giants are the NFL’s most pass-heavy team in neutral situations, making Lewis a worthwhile add in all 12-team leagues. Lewis, Freeman, and deep sleeper Wayne Gallman will be competing for touches with Saquon Barkley (ACL) out for the season. All three should be on fantasy benches as roles shake out. It’s certainly possible there are no true winners in this competition.

Freeman had offers in the offseason worth more money, but he waited until he could find a spot where he could play. The Giants have passing-down specialist Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman on the roster, but Freeman is the favorite for the most touches once he’s incorporated into the offense. Lewis probably sees the most snaps in Week 3 because Freeman can’t practice until he passes multiple days of COVID-19 tests. Behind this offensive line, Freeman would do well to be a weekly flex option in 2020.

Having lost Saquon Barkley to a possible ACL tear, the Giants will work out Freeman this week as part of a potential committee to replace Barkley. Dion Lewis saw 15 rushes and caught four of five targets after Barkley went down against the Bears in Week 2. Lewis would probably hold on to passing down work, with Freeman being a candidate for early down work. Freeman should be a low-priority waiver claim in deeper formats.