Who Should I Start? Dameon Pierce or Brashard Smith

Saturday, October 18, 5:33 PM

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce played a season-high 16 snaps and had seven carries for 21 yards in his team's last game before the bye week. However, it was his first game being active since Week 1, and all his work came in the fourth quarter of their blowout win over the Ravens. With Nick Chubb getting early-down work and Woody Marks as a promising prospect for passing downs, Pierce will likely have no role except in mop-up duty or an occasional one-off carry. He is the No. 69-ranked RB in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 7 and is not expected to be a fantasy factor going forward, barring injury to Chubb or Marks.

Tuesday, November 4, 8:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith continues to be a part of the Chiefs' backfield rotation, but he had a disappointing showing in Week 9 against the Bills. He had three carries for seven yards and couldn't haul in his only target. The converted receiver was drafted by the Chiefs in the seventh round, and he has played a significant role behind Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco (knee) in some game scripts. In Week 9, though, even with Pacheco out, he couldn't get much going, while Hunt dominated touches and production. With the Chiefs headed to a bye week, Smith is worth holding or picking up from the waiver wire in deep leagues since he does still have upside down the road. However, in most standard leagues, better backfield options are available in other timeshare situations. Smith is definitely worth monitoring as a playmaker in the Chiefs' potent offense, but his role will be limited if Pacheco is ready to return in Week 11.