Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Brashard Smith

Saturday, October 4, 6:56 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. For the third straight week, Akers will join the active roster as the third option behind Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott. The Vikings are still without Aaron Jones (hamstring) who is currently on the injured reserve. Akers hasn't seen much of the field with five carries for 19 yards this season. The 26-year-old won't offer streaming appeal for this contest.

Wednesday, October 15, 9:42 AM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith from SMU took a step backward in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, not seeing a single carry, playing a lower snap percentage, and making only three receptions in the passing game during the Chiefs' 30-17 win over the Lions. However, due to the matchup against the Lions, head coach Andy Reid wanted to lean on his veterans, as the game was crucial to the Kansas City Chiefs, who were sitting at (2-3). With the Las Vegas Raiders on deck in Week 7, and most sportsbooks labeling the Chiefs as 11.5-point favorites, Smith should get some additional work and snaps in this one, making him a long-shot play in Week 7 and a value-add in deeper leagues if it's a breakout game for him. The other Chiefs running backs, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, have both been relatively inefficient with their opportunities, averaging 4.2 and 3.82 YPC, respectively.