Who Should I Start? Chris Brooks or Audric Estime

Tuesday, August 5, 1:16 PM

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said there's nothing that running back Chris Brooks can't do and also expressed confidence in Brooks as the team's RB2 behind Josh Jacobs with both Emanuel Wilson and MarShawn Lloyd out with injuries currently at training camp. Brooks and Wilson stepped up behind Jacobs in 2024 with Lloyd playing in just one game in his rookie season due to injuries. The 25-year-old Brooks handled only 36 rushing attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown, although he averaged over five yards per carry for the second straight season. He added 11 catches for 69 yards on 13 targets in 15 regular-season games (no starts). While it's nice that Green Bay has confidence in Brooks to back up Jacobs if needed, he's not going to be very relevant in fantasy unless both Wilson and Lloyd aren't ready to go for the start of the regular season.

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.