Who Should I Start? Jahmyr Gibbs or Ashton Jeanty

Monday, October 6, 1:20 AM

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also caught two passes for 33 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown reception. If not for finding the end zone, Gibbs would have had a relatively modest final line of 14 touches and 87 yards, so fantasy managers will appreciate that he was able to cross the goal line. It was interesting to see David Montgomery reclaim the lead-back role with his 18 carries, but that could have been a product of the game script. It also may have been part of the Lions' effort to honor the narrative of Montgomery returning to his birthplace of Cincinnati once the score got out of hand. Whatever the reason, managers should have no concerns about Gibbs going forward. He remains one of the league's most talented and versatile running backs, and it doesn't hurt that he plays for a high-powered offense within a 4-1 team. The 23-year-old remains a mid-range RB1 option in fantasy football for Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Monday, October 6, 3:17 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll had some good words to say about rookie first-round running back Ashton Jeanty after his first five games in the league. "I think Ashton is handling everything beautifully," Carroll said. The 21-year-old Boise State product was a disappointment for fantasy managers who took him early in drafts through the first three weeks, but then he showcased his game-changing playmaking skills in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears when he ran for 138 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 21 carries. He has two rushing TDs and has also added two receiving scores, but he only has 12 receptions through five weeks. In the Week 5 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Jeanty had single-game career highs in targets, catches, and receiving yards. It hasn't been perfect early on in the Raiders' struggling offense, but Jeanty's explosiveness is evident, making him a must-start RB1 every week. He could easily bust out again in Week 6 versus the one-win Titans.