Maybe now we get to see what Kenyan Drake can actually do. Maybe now, in a new environment? Perhaps? Is it possible?

The running back, who was dealt by Miami to Arizona on Monday, has been a source of fantasy frustration for years. He routinely appeared to be the most talented running back in Miami in recent years. Yet, he endlessly would share carries with what appeared, based on the eye test and often the raw stats, as inferior backs.

Maybe it was coaching, but it wasn’t just coaching, because it happened under Adam Gase and Brian Flores. Maybe it was name recognition, but it wasn’t just name recognition, because Damien Williams, Kalen Ballange and Mark Walton never had the cachet of Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi or Frank Gore.

Maybe, just maybe, the issue was Drake. He is the one common factor. Maybe coaches don’t like his demeanor or effort? Perhaps his attention span in meetings is unacceptable? Maybe he didn’t know playbook well enough? It could have been a lot of things.

If it were any of these things, perhaps those issues appear again in Arizona. But it is unlikely to happen immediately. Especially while David Johnson is dealing with an ankle injury and backup Chase Edmonds is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring problem.

So what does that leave for Drake? Well, there is Thursday’s game against the 49ers. With recently added Zach Zenner and Alfred Morris the only other backfield options, assuming Johnson doesn’t surprisingly return, it sets up Drake for a big role.

How effective should fantasy owners expect him to be? In his first game with a new team? On a short week? Against the toughest defense against opposing fantasy running backs?

Well, volume is king, and he should get a decent amount of work. And let’s look into that vaunted run defense. Though toughest against fantasy backs, the 49ers rank just 11th in rushing yards allowed per game and 13th in yards per carry.

Despite having a big lead most of the day, Christian McCaffrey still posted a huge fantasy day against the Niners on Sunday. Nick Chubb averaged better than 5 yards per carry against them in Week 5. They didn’t have to face Todd Gurley in a win over the Rams. The best RBs they’ve contained are James Conner and Joe Mixon, which virtually every team has done.

But … fantasy points matter, and the 49ers don’t give up many, including just two rushing touchdowns this season. So though some optimism can be manufactured, it could be misleading. Add to this the Cards’ upcoming schedule: 49ers on Thursday, 10 days off before at Tampa Bay (third toughest fantasy defense vs. RBs), then the 49ers again before a bye week. That is three brutal fantasy matchups and a bye. By Week 13, both Johnson and Edmonds should be back, if not before. Then Drake gets to disappear again. Don’t waste your free-agent budget.

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