Who Should I Start? James Conner or Rhamondre Stevenson

Saturday, September 13, 9:41 AM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner salvaged his fantasy week against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 with a four-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Outside of that, he saw 12 carries for only 39 yards while Trey Benson took eight carries for 69 yards. We may have finally hit the timeline where Benson takes more and more touches away from Conner. The good news, for both backs, is that they're going up against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. They just gave up 143 yards to Travis Etienne and 200 rushing yards overall. So, even though Benson will likely get some more opportunities, Conner remains an RB2 given that he sticks as the number-one guy in the backfield.

Monday, September 15, 1:01 AM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries during Sunday's Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 88 yards through the air. The Patriots' offense ran through Stevenson in this divisional contest as he ultimately led the team in carries, rushing yards, targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Although there has been plenty of chatter about Stevenson eventually relinquishing his role to Tre'Veyon Henderson, that simply won't happen if he continues to play at a high level. Sunday's showing should only earn him more playing time going forward, so we expect him to fetch another 15-plus touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Pittsburgh's defense hasn't been playing nearly as well as expected through the first two weeks of the season, allowing 145 scrimmage yards to Breece Hall in Week 1, followed by 118 scrimmage yards and a touchdown to Kenneth Walker III in Week 2. The Steelers should be considered a favorable matchup for Stevenson, who is suddenly back in the mid-range RB2 conversation after a terrific performance on the road.