Who Should I Start? Jermar Jefferson or Avery Williams

Tuesday, December 31, 9:23 AM

Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson was given just three attempts during their victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday evening. However, all three attempts were within the San Francisco ten-yard line. With David Montgomery (knee) sidelined, Jahmyr Gibbs has been deployed as the workhorse option in this backfield, but with the Lions having little to play for regarding their position in the standings, they opted to give Gibbs occasional rest on Monday evening. While Gibbs still finished the game with 18 attempts and four targets, he would have likely been given this goal line work in a must-win situation. Instead, Jefferson was given some high-value touches but could not punch in any of them as he finished with just nine total yards. In addition, Jefferson saw four fewer carries than the presumed No.2 option, Craig Reynolds. Fantasy managers should expect Gibbs to take on a three-down role during Week 18 and throughout the entire postseason, leaving just a handful of attempts for Jefferson and Reynolds.

Friday, March 14, 9:56 PM

Former Atlanta Falcons running back/return man Avery Williams signed an undisclosed deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, according to his agency, the Aura Sports Group. Williams, who was drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round (183rd overall) in 2021 out of Boise State, has not put up any numbers as an offensive threat since the 2022 campaign. However, the 26-year-old special-teamer did have 408 kickoff-return yards and 185 punt-return yards in 2024 over 17 games. He will now be an option to return both kickoffs and punts for the reigning Super Bowl champions in 2025 while also providing backfield depth behind Saquon Barkley, AJ Dillon and Will Shipley. Williams will be well off the fantasy radar in all formats this fall.