Who Should I Start? Braelon Allen or Woody Marks

Tuesday, September 16, 11:39 AM

New York Jets second-year running back Braelon Allen took a step back in Week 2 regarding his share of offensive snaps. The Buffalo Bills manhandled the Jets to the tune of 30-10 at home, and whether it was due to game script or by design, Allen handled a significantly smaller snap total than in Week 1. This past weekend, the 21-year-old saw the field just nine times -- one fewer than teammate Isaiah Davis -- a stark contrast to the 20-8 lead he boasted in their matchup with Pittsburgh. The situation regarding the duo could ultimately come down to a hot-hand approach, making it murky precisely which one to own for handcuff purposes. One thing is clear, and it's that this is Breece Hall's backfield to lose. The Jets' offense seems less stable than it did a week ago, but keeping tabs on the backup here is a worthwhile endeavor.

Tuesday, September 16, 10:50 AM

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks carved out a role in Monday night's 20-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie logged three carries for 14 yards and added a splash play through the air with a 37-yard reception. Notably, Dameon Pierce was a healthy scratch despite being listed as the RB2 on the depth chart. Marks played the second-most snaps (27%) among Houston backs, trailing Nick Chubb (53%) but ahead of Dare Ogunbowale (20%). With Joe Mixon (IR, no timetable) sidelined and Chubb carrying a lengthy injury history of his own, Marks has legitimate handcuff value and should be rostered in deeper formats. If his usage continues to trend upward, Marks could emerge as a meaningful fantasy contributor later in the season, if Mixon doesn't return.