Who Should I Start? Emari Demercado or Troy Franklin

Saturday, October 4, 12:28 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado should be in line for a significant workload increase in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, with Cardinals running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both on Injured Reserve. However, Demercado still figures to split playing time with Arizona backs Michael Carter and Bam Knight. On the plus side, all three Cardinals running backs have a favorable matchup against a Tennessee run defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL so far in 2025. Demercado has recorded 751 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 125 total touches across 31 career games with Arizona. In Week 5, he profiles as a high-end RB3/flex option for fantasy managers.

Saturday, October 4, 7:26 AM

After posting a dud in week 3 after a breakout game in Week 2, Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin led the team with eight targets in Monday's win over the Bengals. With the Philadelphia Eagles having a middle-of-the-pack pass defense (ranked 15th), Franklin can continue to be a focal point. At the same time, the Eagles are forced to focus on Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has seemingly favored Franklin as the WR2 on the offense, considering he has the same amount of targets as Sutton on the season. In what could be a defensive game for both sides, feel confident in starting Franklin as a WR3/ FLEX option as he comes in as RotoBaller's WR35 for Week 5.