Remember when you were young, when magic was fun? How did the magician stuff such a long handkerchief in such a small pocket? How did he make that wand become a flower? Where did that rabbit in the hat come from?

Then we grow older and wiser, and frown upon such clownish subterfuge. Even the best tricks are just elaborate forms of three-card monte rather than otherworldly feats.

Yet, it can be fun to try to figure out the trick, to learn how to follow the right card while the hustler shuffles it quickly. It’s like trying to guess which running back might emerge in various NFL backfields on any given week.

This past week we saw Steelers backup Jaylen Samuels, who has been the primary fantasy benefactor from James Conner’s injury, disappear from fantasy view. Instead Benny Snell Jr. was revealed, at the expense of Samuels.

After riding Chris Carson all season, the Seahawks suddenly pulled Rashaad Penny out of the hat, giving him a greater number and more productive touches.

On Thursday, the Colts mimicked an Arizona Cardinals trick. With Marlon Mack out, they activated presumed starter Jordan Wilkins, fresh off an ankle injury. Then they didn’t give him a touch, and instead we got a steady dose of Jonathan Williams — not unlike how the Cardinals tricked fantasy owners with David Johnson’s availability in Week 7, then transformed that into a Chase Edmonds game.

Hey, but at least the Lions stuck with Bo Scarbrough, right?

We think we’ve figure out some of these tricks. First, just stay away from the Steelers’ backfield until starter Conner returns from a shoulder injury. That one is easy. Pete Carroll said Monday that Seattle would look to continue to get Penny touches. But what is he supposed to say? We’re chalking up Sunday’s spike to a hot-hand scenario.

But that Colts backfield? That one is a bit more mysterious. Indianapolis has a strong offensive line, so we naturally like whoever they lean on as a bell cow. But will they lean on a bell cow?

When Mack was out last year, there often was a platoon between Wilkins and pass-catching back Nyheim Hines. Or, worse, they abandoned the run completely — something we shouldn’t have to worry about this season with Jacoby Brissett as QB instead of Andrew Luck.

The other difference is Williams. He got the majority of the work the week before after Mack went down, then he got it again Thursday. However, there is the risk that Wilkins wasn’t 100 percent, and when fully healthy could reappear and clutter the picture. And there is the issue of an unfavorable schedule ahead. After a neutral matchup this week against the Titans, the Colts face the run-stuffing defenses of Tampa Bay and New Orleans in Weeks 14-15.

But how often does a possible bell cow RB become available this late in the fantasy season? That could be Williams. Gamble on that potential. Use that FAAB, point to the Jonathan Williams card, and hope this three-card monte pick pays off.