It was announced Monday that Dolphins starting RB Mark Walton has been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policy. He will be eligible in return in Week 14, just in time for a highly favorable fantasy playoff schedule (Jets, Giants, Bengals). In the meantime, handcuff Kalen Ballage will get first crack at lead-back duties, which will make him a popular fantasy waiver wire pickup and free agent add heading into Week 10.
Follow us at @SN_Fantasy for more news and updates.
WEEK 10 NON-PPR RANKINGS
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Why was Mark Walton suspended?
Walton was arrested three times this offseason, and apparently the Dolphins anticipated a suspension coming at some point this season. He was facing felony charges for carrying a concealed weapon, marijuana possession, and reckless driving and has also been charged with a misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor marijuana possession.
It's possible the Dolphins decide to severe ties with Walton, but considering they signed him and stuck with him despite knowing about his charges, that seems unlikely. At this point, fantasy owners should expect Walton back for Week 14, and it's likely he'll regain starting duties unless someone else runs away with the job.
MORE WEEK 10:
Waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Snap counts | Trade values | Fantasy playoff SOS
Is Kalen Ballage worth a waiver pickup?
Ballage is suffering through a disappointing second season, averaging just 2.0 yards per carry. He has scored twice, but that's really about it, as he's also struggled in the passing game. He'll likely handle 10-12 carries a game and maybe a target a two. Given his output (and the eye test), that won't result in many fantasy points, but starting RBs always have some value, so for at least the next four games, Ballage is worth owning. You shouldn't use a high waiver claim on him unless you're desperate for running back help, but a low waiver claim or early free agent add makes sense.
WEEK 10 DFS LINEUPS:
Y! cash | Y! GPP | DK cash | FD cash | FD GPP
Miami has mostly favorable-to-neutral matchups the next four weeks: at Colts, vs. Bills, at Browns, vs. Eagles. The bookends aren't particularly favorable, especially the Week 13 matchup against the Eagles, but the middle two could help Ballage have FLEX value. Even this week, with six teams on bye, he can work in a pinch against the Colts. He's the definition of a low-floor, low-ceiling RB, but he's the only other RB on the Dolphins active roster with a carry this year.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Who are the Dolphins handcuff RBs?
Rookies Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin figure to get some work as the change-of-pace backs. Gaskin was a seventh-round pick and Laird was a free agent. Gaskin was the much better runner in college, going over 1,200 yards in each of his four seasons at Washington, but Laird put up much better receiving numbers, catching 45 and 51 balls, respectively, in his final two seasons at Cal. He's an intriguing PPR sleeper given how often Miami throws to its RBs.
