Who Should I Start? Jonathan Taylor or Emari Demercado

Sunday, October 5, 5:21 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor rushed 17 times for 66 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 20 receiving yards. While Taylor merely had modest yardage efficiency, he made up for it with his nose for the end zone. Taylor has had two different three-touchdown games over the last three weeks, and he ranks as the overall RB2 in fantasy football this season. He is also the league's leading rusher and has seven touchdowns. He should be deployed as a high-end RB1 every week, including next week against the Arizona Cardinals.

Sunday, October 5, 12:26 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado "will stay in the same role" on third downs. Meanwhile, Michael Carter will take over on first and second downs with Trey Benson (knee) out four to six weeks after having surgery on his meniscus. James Conner (ankle) has already been lost for the year, so the Cardinals' backfield depth is being tested early on. Arizona could plan more designed runs for slippery quarterback Kyler Murray, too. Demercado had two carries for eight yards and caught both of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While the 26-year-old will be more involved with Benson out, it's Carter that should see more volume, and thus be a better flex play in fantasy lineups, starting this Sunday against the winless Tennessee Titans. Demercado is a better flex option in PPR formats.