Who Should I Start? Bijan Robinson or Jonathon Brooks

Sunday, December 21, 9:38 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson dominated the Arizona Cardinals in his team's 26-19 Week 16 win. The 23-year-old recorded 16 carries for 76 yards and hauled in seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Across 15 games this season, Robinson has now recorded 2,026 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 321 touches. Robinson has racked up at least 107 scrimmage yards in five out of his last six games and has logged at least 88 scrimmage yards in every game but one in 2025. He may be the NFL's premier all-around back and is currently on pace to finish the season with just a shade under 2,300 yards from scrimmage. Robinson profiles as a must-start fantasy back heading into the team's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.