Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Dylan Sampson

Saturday, January 24, 7:55 PM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin should continue to be the primary change-of-pace back behind rookie RJ Harvey, with J.K. Dobbins remaining on Injured Reserve after a week of limited practices. In Denver's Divisional Round win over a Bills team that came into the playoffs with one of the worst run defenses in the league, McLaughlin was able to turn four carries into 21 yards. In the Conference Championship, he'll face a Patriots defense that has been dominant against the run since Milton Williams' return from an ankle injury that cost him five games. Through two playoff games, New England has allowed a total of 74 yards on designed runs, so if McLaughlin is to find any success on Sunday, it may need to come through screens and checkdowns, though that is a role that's been owned by Harvey for most of the year. McLaughlin is RotoBaller's RB7 for the week, but there is a world where he is entirely phased out of the game script.

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.