The Antonio Andrews Conundrum
Antonio Andrews scrapped his way to the peak of the Titan’s shallow depth chart at running back last season. Andrews played in four games in 2014 after making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky. He then led the Titans with 520 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also caught 21 passes for 174 yards. All things considered, not too shabby.
However, with the addition of DeMarco Murray, as well as last year’s Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry, Andrews finds himself back in the fight for relevance. Not to mention Bishop Sankey, David Cobb and David Fluellen are all trying to wet their respective beaks.
As you can imagine, in interviews with Andrews, he has made it clear that they are a tight group of backs. That being said, the competition is fierce. With limited reps, the pressure to consistently deliver your best must be high. For Andrews, who constantly seems to find himself in the position of proving the majority wrong, the pressure has to be near overwhelming. Coach Mike Mularkey has said in interviews that Andrews has responded well to the competition, as have the other backs.
“He’s been very positive,’’ Mularkey said of Andrews. “That’s one thing I’ll give credit to that group, if anything they’ve all picked up their game. They’re all much more detailed. We’re making less mistakes. You see no body language that has affected them and what we’re doing at that position. That’s one group I’ve been really pleased with the way they come out to work every day.”
As many a Titan fan remembers, Andrews gummed up a blocking assignment last season against the Patriots which led to quarterback Marcus Mariota being sacked and injured. That kind of chip on your shoulder can translate into setting a higher standard for yourself, while simultaneously opening yourself up to higher scrutiny when it comes to blocking and pass protection in general. Andrews, of course, is completely aware that not every back will make the final roster, and he plans to do everything possible to show the Titans he’s worth his spot.
As far as where to look for Antonio Andrews in terms of fantasy stock, I’d personally rank him as worth a deep stash in dynasty. That being said, Henry seems to be the safer play with Murray potentially being a top 10 back in 2016.
Andrews will make the team, and has the talent to make a real difference game to game, but he falls into that strange and mysterious void where players just have no fantasy relevance in spite of having talent and a chance to make an impact in the actual NFL.
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