Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Jahmyr Gibbs

Friday, December 20, 11:40 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will bring the least productive five-game stretch of his career into a Week 16 matchup in Miami on Sunday. He is averaging 3.3 half-PPR points over that stretch, including a 3.4-point performance last Thursday at home versus the Los Angeles Rams. Samuel Sr. reached a low point when he dropped an important 3rd-down pass in LA territory to a chorus of boos from the home fans. He'll have better days ahead -- he's certainly a better player than this -- but at this point, Samuel Sr. is untrustable in fantasy. In addition, Miami's tough pass defense has limited fantasy receivers to the second-lowest total in the league. Perhaps Samuel Sr. sees an increase in carries, with the 49ers down to their fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-string running backs due to a deluge of injuries. It might not matter much, though, as he's only averaging 2.7 yards per carry this year with one rushing touchdown, way back in Week 1. He's projected as a WR4 this week, and most Samuel Sr. managers still in the fantasy playoffs probably benched him long ago.

Saturday, December 21, 8:24 AM

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the clear-cut number-one option in the team's backfield now that David Montgomery will miss time with a knee injury. The versatile running back has a nice matchup in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears. The Bears allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and Gibbs should have a strangle-hold on carries for the Lions. Craig Reynolds and even Sione Vaki could factor in a bit in the backfield but Gibbs should get a heavy workload against a beatable defense. Everything is lining up for a big day for Gibbs who should be heavily involved in the passing game as well. Count on the talented running back for big numbers in the fantasy playoffs.