Who Should I Start? Antonio Gibson or Raheem Blackshear

Sunday, January 5, 8:17 PM

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson rushed for 41 yards on 12 carries during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. He also caught four of his six targets for an additional 20 yards through the air. Gibson remained the Patriots' primary running back on Sunday, playing 65.6 percent of the offensive snaps. Terrell Jennings played 37.5 percent of the snaps, and interestingly, Rhamondre Stevenson didn't step foot on the field for a single down. Stevenson has been in the doghouse following a costly Week 16 fumble, registering just two carries since then. Gibson is still under contract with the Patriots for two more years, which means there's a strong chance he enters 2025 as the team's primary running back. Of course, a lot could change between now and Week 1 of next year, especially with New England set to bring in a new coaching staff.

Tuesday, April 1, 2:21 PM

The Carolina Panthers are re-signing running back Raheem Blackshear to a one-year deal, according to NFL.com. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear spent the 2022 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Panthers, where he has been ever since. In his three-year NFL career, the 26-year-old has totaled 52 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 16 receptions for 138 yards through the air in 41 games. With Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and potentially Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the Carolina backfield next season, it would be a surprise if Blackshear ends up on the fantasy football radar.