Who Should I Start? Jermar Jefferson or Tyler Badie

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, September 12, 8:17 PM

Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post writes that Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie could have an elevated role in the passing attack out of the backfield in a Week 2 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts because of Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's tendency to bring a lot of "pressure looks." Although Badie didn't have a carry in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, he was targeted six times through the air and caught two of them for 16 yards. The 25-year-old is not a realistic starting option in Week 2 fantasy lineups, even in PPR leagues, but his presence on the field is bad news for fantasy managers expecting rookie RJ Harvey to see a bigger share of the backfield work in Week 2. Badie's six targets ranked third on the team last weekend in Denver.