Who Should I Start? Devin Neal or Tahj Brooks

Tuesday, November 4, 4:18 PM

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal has seen an uptick in snaps over the past two weeks with Kendre Miller (knee) out for the season. Neal played 39% of the snaps in the Saints' Week 9 loss at the Rams, handling three carries for 11 yards and catching one of four targets for one yard. The sixth-round rookie out of Kansas has now played a combined 49 snaps in Weeks 8 and 9, but has only seven total touches. Neal was also outcarried by Taysom Hill, who rushed for 30 yards on four carries. Veteran Alvin Kamara (ankle) was questionable heading into Sunday after being limited in practice all week, and he also saw a season-low seven touches. The Saints played from behind for the majority of this game, and it was disappointing to see Neal not be emphasized more. The rookie still feels like the best handcuff option in New Orleans, but it's a bleak offensive situation, and Hill will presumably stay involved. Neal can likely be left on waivers for Week 10.

Saturday, September 13, 3:20 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks didn't log an offensive snap in the Week 1 win over the Browns. Most assumed the rookie would have at least a small role in the offense. However, that didn't happen in the AFC North clash with Cleveland, with Samaje Perine getting 13 snaps and Chase Brown leading the way with 39. Without question, Brown was expected to get most of the work out of the backfield for the Bengals this season. That likely won't change unless he goes down with an injury. Brooks should get some snaps moving forward, but he has a long way to go before earning a spot in redraft lineups, including for the Week 2 meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the other hand, he's at least worth stashing on dynasty rosters.