Who Should I Start? Braelon Allen or Audric Estimé

Friday, December 20, 4:28 PM

According to Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press, the New York Jets have listed rookie running back Braelon Allen (back) as questionable for Sunday's match against the Los Angeles Rams. Allen logged two limited sessions to open the week but was upgraded to a full participant on Friday. However, the rookie still carries a questionable tag. Allen saw an increased workload in Week 14 with Breece Hall sidelined as he tallied 43 yards on 11 attempts and added 38 yards on four receptions. Even if Allen is able to suit up on Sunday, he should not be viewed as a viable fantasy option as Breece Hall will be expected to lead the backfield. Seeing that Hall was not on the injury report all week suggests he is past his minor knee injury and will take on his normal workhorse role.

Friday, December 20, 12:18 AM

With Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) out for the Week 16 contest on Thursday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, rookie Audric Estime was Denver's lead rusher in the 34-27 loss. Estime had team-highs in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) while finding the end zone for the first time in his NFL career. He was not targeted in the passing game. The nine carries were the second-most that the 21-year-old fifth-rounder has seen in his first year in the NFL, and he averaged a healthy 5.3 yards per carry. The Broncos certainly have high hopes for Estime in the long term, but how big of a role he'll have in a strong matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals' porous defense in Week 17 will probably all come down to the health of McLaughlin. The fact that Estime hasn't really been utilized in the running game would also make him no better than an RB3/flex if McLaughlin misses another game.