Who Should I Start? Dylan Sampson or RJ Harvey

Saturday, January 3, 12:12 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries that sidelined him for two games in Week 17 and recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) on Injured Reserve, Sampson should have a chance to lead his team's backfield once again in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has been one of the NFL's worst rush defenses in 2025, ranking 30th in the league in yards per carry allowed (5.2) and 32nd in runs of 20 or more yards allowed (19). Sampson will likely split touches with Browns backs Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams in Week 18, which limits his ceiling. However, Sampson has recorded 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across his last four games, which provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a low-end flex option in Week 18 against Cincinnati.

Friday, January 9, 2:38 PM

Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey averaged 2.4 yards per carry over his last two games of the regular season, including a 15-carry, 28-yard Week 18 performance against a Chargers defense resting the majority of its starters. His fantasy value has been buoyed by an above-average touchdown rate and extensive work in the passing game, but dating back to Week 9, Harvey has averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry in only two of his last nine games. Five times in that span, he has been held to less than 2.7 yards per carry. The Broncos earned a first-round bye as the top seed in the AFC, but fantasy managers rostering Harvey in any playoff leagues should be rooting for wins by the Patriots and Bills in Wild Card Weekend, ensuring a Divisional Round matchup between the Broncos and Bills. Buffalo is widely regarded as having the softest run defense in the AFC playoff field and represents the clearest path for Harvey to have an impact performance.