Is Ben Tate worth your time this daily fantasy football season?

I’m a firm believer that when it comes to your daily fantasy football lineups, spending more lucratively on your running backs is essential. When you have the chance to pick your running backs, there is no such thing as wasting money on a big name.

As far as a name like Ben Tate is concerned, let’s take a look and see if he’s someone you would be proud to have in your lineup.

For one, Tate has been a “little nicked up” according to multiple reports. This typically wouldn’t worry me, however he does have rookie Terrance West there which could pose a potentially big threat to his job.

Over his four-year career with the Houston Texans, Tate (who has missed 24 games in those four seasons) accumulated 1,992 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

On the other hand, West led all of college football in 2013 with 413 carries for 2,519 yards and 41 touchdowns. I know, he was absolutely phenomenal in last year with Towson. He also leaves the school as the all-time leading rusher with (4,854 yards). According to his NFL combine, he has a “natural feel as a ball carrier to press the hole and attack the line of scrimmage, following his blocks.”

He is certainly in competition for Tate’s job.

Statistics-wise Tate did “okay” last season. I hate to use that word, but that’s how he did. His defensive-yards above replacement number was at a 50 (comparing that to Jamaal Charles with a 247, is pretty sad). His success rate, which is that statistic I mentioned in a previous article compared to a batting average, is at a 60%. Not that bad, but I don’t like using the term “not that bad” for someone I’m drafting.

I’m obsessed with Christopher Harris’ fantasy advice, so I tend to stalk his fantasy articles when they come out. He mentioned recently in an article on ESPN.com that “Tate served as the understudy to Arian Foster and impressed with 942 rushing yards. But in 2012, he was plagued by hamstring and foot injuries that limited him to just 65 carries.”

I’m not saying you need to base every daily fantasy football players’ situation on past injuries, because that would be foolish. What athlete hasn’t had an injury in his career? However, Harris does mention something that you need to hold on to:

“Tate’s durability questions are real. He’s missed 24 of a possible 64 regular-season games as a pro, was listed as “questionable” in three more games, and has not appeared on his team’s injury report only 13 times. Clearly, you can claim that any NFL running back is an injury risk, but Tate has struggled through issues with his ankle, quad, back, hip, groin, shoulder, head, toe, hamstring, foot, elbow, and ribs. There will be strong potential reward in drafting Tate this summer, which is why I’ve currently got him as my No. 19 running back.”

Over at CBS Sports, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg weighed in as well.

Richard projected the 25 year-old to rush for 903 yards, while Eisenberg projected him to rush for 1,154.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Tate does not feel threatened towards West.

“Truthfully, I don’t look at it like that,” Tate says. “You guys may see it like that, but there’s nobody in that room that scares me. I’m just honest.”

He then mentioned that since he was competing with a guy like Arian Foster for playing time, he was more than prepared.

“If I come in here and say “Oh I’ve got this locked down and don’t compete, that’s how you lose your job,” Tate added.

That is indeed how you lose you job Tate. This is the part where it becomes tricky in my opinion.

To be honest, at the beginning I pretty much had my mind made up. Then of course after much research, I changed my mind. Then of course, after even more research and analyzing the situation, I changed my mind once again. I suppose that’s what happens when you ask a female for fantasy football advice. Or advice on anything for that matter. For you married men, I apologize, we know we are doing it.

Should you trust Ben Tate? Yes, you absolutely should. However, I would put him as a RB2 or even as a flex player at the beginning of the season. I have this feeling West may actually get more playing time than we anticipate.

As much as I think playoff talk during preseason is a lot like planning your wedding on a first date, sometimes you just know. Towards the end of the season I can see the Browns experimenting with Manziel and Tate together, or even Manziel and West together. We all know West had an insane career in college, and while I don’t believe college performance always sails on into the professional leagues he was certainly impressive (I’m looking at you Reggie Bush).

When all is said and done, don’t turn your cheek on Tate. When it comes to drafting your team don’t get too excited and jump on him either though.Make sure you evaluate your line-ups and see if he can hack it.