Who Should I Start? Chris Brooks or DJ Giddens

Saturday, August 23, 8:08 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks was the second back to enter the game for the Packers in their 20-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in their third and final preseason game. Brooks took over duties after Josh Jacobs received the first two snaps of the game. Playing seven snaps of his own, Brooks exited and gave way to Emanuel Wilson. In Brooks' seven snaps across the last play of the first drive and the first six plays of the next drive, Brooks took four carries for 15 yards. With the injury to MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) putting his Week 1 status in doubt, Brooks' entrance into the game ahead of Wilson seems to put Brooks as the preferred contingent play in Week 1 should Lloyd not be healthy. That said, Brooks should only be drafted in the deepest of leagues as a pure handcuff option.

Sunday, August 31, 3:25 PM

Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens remains third on the depth chart despite a strong training camp and decent preseason. The 22-year-old rookie, drafted in the fifth round out of Kansas State, is currently listed behind starter Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Goodson (elbow). Last year in college, Giddens rushed for 1,343 yards on 205 carries, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per attempt, and also caught 21 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. His preseason stats of 18 carries for 67 yards (3.7 YPC) and one nine-yard reception are less impressive. RotoBaller ranks Giddens as RB61, making him a potential late-round stash with upside. Taylor has a history of injuries, missing 16 games over the past three seasons. Goodson is also dealing with an elbow injury, and Giddens could see a significant workload increase if either misses time. The fifth-round pick is a must-add handcuff for Taylor managers and a strong late-round target in deeper leagues, with the potential to step into a starting role if injuries happen.