Who Should I Start? C.J. Ham or Audric Estime

Wednesday, February 12, 10:17 PM

Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (ankle) had a "simple procedure" done on his ankle on Wednesday. Ham was on the team's injury report with an ankle injury toward the end of the 2024 season, but he didn't miss any games. The 31-year-old veteran fullback shouldn't face a lengthy recovery timeline after having a minor surgery on his ankle and should be able to take part in most of the team's offseason workouts. He will not be anywhere near the fantasy radar once again going into the 2025 campaign after seeing only two carries for 10 yards and one touchdown and adding five receptions on six targets for 35 yards through the air in 17 regular-season games in his eighth year with the Vikings in 2024. In his eight NFL seasons, Ham has only 39 rushing attempts for 114 yards and four TDs and has caught 82 passes for 670 yards and two TDs in 130 games played.

Friday, May 30, 5:30 PM

On Thursday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that running back Audric Estime will garner increased opportunities in his second season with the team. "He's a back that requires enough touches," said Payton. "He's going to get those opportunities." The former fifth-round rookie was undoubtedly lacking in opportunities in 2024 -- placing fourth on the team in carries and rushing yards behind backfield mates Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin and quarterback Bo Nix. Estime was a productive player in his final season at Notre Dame, finishing with 1,341 yards and 18 rushing scores in 12 games. However, Denver's recent selection of RJ Harvey in the second round adds formidable competition in the backfield. Harvey is slotted in first on the team's unofficial depth chart, ahead of Estime for now. The latter projects to be more of a traditional short-yardage back due to his larger stature, but Harvey is also a force between the tackles and profiles as a better pass-catcher despite poor pass-protection skills.