The New Orleans Saints could have one less running back on the roster in the coming weeks which could change things for fantasy owners. Reports surfaced on Sunday that New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram was requesting a trade from the team. While head coach Sean Payton downplays any truth to the report, the idea is not crazy and could happen.
The Saints are carrying five running backs on their roster. For a team that barely rushes the ball, they have a lot of talent at the position, making for some unhappy players. After being drafted in the first round by New Orleans, Ingram has underachieved with the team. The running back is a tradition down-field rusher that gets better with each carry he is given in the game. He works better with a bigger workload and that is something New Orleans is not giving him. So if a trade were to happen, how do things play out for the remaining backs on the roster?
The trade could have an impact on fantasy rosters. Pierre Thomas remains a strong option in a deep league. The back is reliable on third downs and is the trust veteran amongst the group. The real winner could be Darren Sproles who will likely see even more action than before.
Sproles is the perfect running back for the Saints. Not only will he see more carries as a traditional rusher if Ingram is gone, but he remains one of the team's top receiving options. Dew Brees throws the ball and the New Orleans Saints have built their team around that arm. Sproles value will continue to increase.
So far on the season, Sproles has 65 yards rushing, but 163 yards in receiving. He poised for a big year after a strong 2012 where he recorded 244 yards rushing and 667 yards receiving. Brees trusts Sproles so with Ingram out, expect his role with the team to expand even more.
Where does the potential trade leave Thomas? With Ingram inactive on Sunday, Thomas got an increased amount of reps on the field, but he failed to do much with it. He could not convert on a third-and-1 and could not break the tackles on a screen pass. He only rushed them ball for 28 yards on 11 carries. He will remain a player on the bubble, but will have value in PPR leagues. The NFL trade deadline is Week 8 so if the Saints and Ingram are going to work something out, it could happen soon.
