Tim Hightower may be a major fantasy play after injuries have hurt the New Orleans Saints offensive roster. (Getty)
Tim Hightower is not exactly a famous NFL player. He’s not even a famous New Orleans Saints player and he’s been on the team for nearly a month.
Get ready to learn a heck of a lot more about Tim Hightower real quick.
In the wake of Mark Ingram’s shoulder injury and move to season-ending IR on Wednesday afternoon, the 29-year-old’s work load is about to increase quite a bit and it could have some major repercussions for fantasy owners desperate for that final late-year push.
Of course, it’s easy to discredit Hightower. His three-year absence from the NFL aside, he hasn’t exactly racked up the carries since joining the Saints a little over a month ago. But there’s one reason to have some faith in him, or rather two reasons; his height and weight.
Hightower lists as 6-foot, 226-pounds and that makes him a prime candidate for goal-line stands this week. And there are few things fantasy owners love more than running backs who score touchdowns.
There’s also another reason to expect Hightower to be a solid fantasy play. His name isn’t C.J. Spiller.
Despite going after the former Buffalo Bills standout in the offseason, the Saints don’t seem to know what to do with Spiller, who has seen his carries decrease every week. He played just five snaps in last week’s 41-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers and has racked up just four touches in the past two weeks.
3 games since Hightower’s debut:
Spiller: 34 snaps, 9 runs, 5 targets
Hightower: 19 snaps, 12 runs, 0 targets
Overall, Spiller has recorded more than five carries in just one game all season and his only real fantasy value has been on the reception side of things. Right now, Spiller’s best fantasy value rests solely on his reputation.
Hightower is certainly a bit of a risky play, but for those fantasy players looking for a FLEX option or a possible spark en route to a postseason run, he could very well be the best option.
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