Who Should I Start? Hassan Haskins or Brashard Smith

Thursday, October 16, 11:14 AM

Despite being named the team's starter leading up to their win against the Miami Dolphins last weekend, Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins took a backseat to teammate Kimani Vidal. It was never assumed that the 25-year-old would absorb all of LA's backfield work in Omarion Hampton's (ankle) absence, but Vidal took the opportunity and ran with it. Haskins was out-touched 21-7, out-gained 139-23, and out-snapped 43-20. The Chargers could opt to even out the distribution of backfield touches moving forward. Still, Vidal has the hot hand currently, and figures to get another crack at running away with the starting job in Sunday's home outing with the Indianapolis Colts. Haskins can't be trusted for fantasy, but he's on the radar as the handcuff to own in Los Angeles for the time being.

Wednesday, October 15, 9:42 AM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith from SMU took a step backward in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, not seeing a single carry, playing a lower snap percentage, and making only three receptions in the passing game during the Chiefs' 30-17 win over the Lions. However, due to the matchup against the Lions, head coach Andy Reid wanted to lean on his veterans, as the game was crucial to the Kansas City Chiefs, who were sitting at (2-3). With the Las Vegas Raiders on deck in Week 7, and most sportsbooks labeling the Chiefs as 11.5-point favorites, Smith should get some additional work and snaps in this one, making him a long-shot play in Week 7 and a value-add in deeper leagues if it's a breakout game for him. The other Chiefs running backs, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, have both been relatively inefficient with their opportunities, averaging 4.2 and 3.82 YPC, respectively.