Who Should I Start? Blake Corum or Tahj Brooks

Saturday, February 14, 6:33 AM

A third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum saw limited playing time in a reserve role behind Rams back Kyren Williams as a rookie. While Williams remained the team's RB1 in 2025, Corum saw a significant workload increase in his second NFL season. Across 17 games, Corum recorded 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 145 touches. He was highly efficient as a rusher when given an opportunity, averaging 5.1 yards per rush attempt. Still, Williams remains under contract with the Rams through the 2028 season, and he remained a standout performer by recording over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025. Additionally, Corum has not shown much of an ability to impact the passing game so far in his NFL career, recording just 15 total receptions across 34 career games played. Corum proved that he can be an impact rusher at the NFL level in 2025, which is a notable development after his quiet rookie season. However, barring injury, his fantasy upside remains limited as long as both he and Williams are in Los Angeles.

Friday, February 20, 7:31 AM

A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks played a minimal role on offense in his first professional season. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 total touches. Bengals running back Chase Brown has logged nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined and is locked in as the RB1 in Cincinnati for at least 2026, blocking Brooks off from significant playing time. The Bengals also have steady veteran back Samaje Perine under contract for the 2026 season. Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Cincinnati in 2025, and his reputation as a solid pass blocker and receiver should keep him secure in the team's third-down role. Post 2026, Brooks could have a pathway to more playing time in Cincinnati. However, it appears unlikely that he will have a chance to prove himself in the short term, barring an injury to Brown or Perine. Brooks' value in dynasty formats should be trending downward after his quiet rookie campaign.