Who Should I Start? Brian Robinson Jr. or Woody Marks

Monday, December 15, 10:20 PM

Across 14 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries. The 26-year-old has spent the entirety of the 2025 season in a backup role behind star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to record double-digit carries in a game in 2025 and has just seven receptions on the season, so his standalone fantasy value is limited. However, if McCaffrey were to suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would immediately become a viable starting fantasy running back. He's proven he can succeed in a lead-back role in the past, racking up 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries across 14 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. is worth rostering just in case McCaffrey goes down.

Friday, December 26, 8:27 AM

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) missed last week's game against the Raiders after sustaining an injury in Week 15 against Arizona, but he had full participation in practice and has no injury status for this week, indicating he should be a full go in Week 17. The Texans are in a tough matchup against the Chargers in what is expected to be a low-scoring contest on Saturday afternoon, but Marks should step back into a significant role. Before his injury, Marks had set a season-high with 26 carries for 68 yards against the Chiefs and scored a touchdown as a receiver. The rookie now has five touchdowns on the season and seems to have taken the lead role in the backfield, although Jawhar Jordan and Nick Chubb will also likely remain involved. Since the Chargers have been good against the run and he's still in a committee, Marks is the RB No. 32 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 17, since he is a high-risk RB3 or flex option with touchdown-dependent upside.