Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Frank Gore Jr.

Monday, September 16, 12:24 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin took a step back from his Week 1 involvement in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver on Sunday. After out-touching backfield mate Javonte Williams last week in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks, McLaughlin had only three carries for six yards in the 13-6 loss to the Steelers and wasn't targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, Williams had 16 touches for 65 scrimmage yards. It was a step back for the 24-year-old second-year back, but he's still the clear RB2 in Denver, with Tyler Badie seeing only one carry for a 16-yard gain. McLaughlin is going to have much better games than this, obviously, but it's hard to justify using a roster spot on him in 12-team fantasy leagues as long as the Broncos' offense continues to struggle so much under rookie quarterback Bo Nix. McLaughlin will have very little standalone value in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tuesday, August 27, 3:06 PM

The Buffalo Bills are waiving running back Frank Gore Jr. (knee) on Tuesday. Gore's 101-yard performance before he went down with a knee injury in Saturday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers was not enough to keep him on Buffalo's final 53-man roster. The undrafted rookie will hit waivers and search for a new home as backfield depth, and perhaps other teams saw enough out of his final exhibition showing to give Gore a chance. As for the Bills, it's all set to be rookie fourth-rounder Ray Davis as lead back James Cook's primary change-of-pace back this fall, with veterans Ty Johnson and Darrynton Evans providing insulation for the team.