Who Should I Start? Josh Jacobs or Javonte Williams

Friday, September 29, 5:03 PM

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 62 yards on 17 carries on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also added three receptions for 18 yards on five targets. Jacobs has been underwhelming in his first three games this season. Last year's rushing champ has not looked like the explosive runner he was last season. That inefficiency could be due to the Raiders offensive line, which ranks 13th ahead of Week 4 per PFF, or Jacobs missing all of training camp and preseason due to his holdout. This week, the Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers, who give up 4.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Jacobs is undoubtedly the workhorse and goal-line back on his team, accounting for 45 of 50 running back carries this season, good for 90% of carries. With Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in concussion protocol, the game plan could shift towards relying on Jacobs and the run game to carry the offense on Sunday. Jacobs is a solid RB1 with upside against the Chargers this week.

Friday, September 29, 12:03 AM

Fantasy managers that drafted Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams knew they were going to have to be patient early on. Williams tore multiple ligaments in his knee in Week 4 of 2022, so the Broncos were going to ease him in to begin the 2023 season. He played in 45% of the offensive snaps the first two weeks before playing 42% of the snaps in a 50-point loss to the Dolphins in Week 3. The good news: The 23-year-old has seen double-digit carries in all three games as the lead back. The bad news: Williams has yet to score and is averaging 7.3 half-PPR points in those games. However, he has an excellent opportunity to find the end zone for the first time this year in Week 4 against a Chicago Bears defense that's allowing the second-most half-PPR points per game (32.2) to RBs. Williams has clear RB2 upside in what should be his best showing of the young season.