Who Should I Start? Juwan Johnson or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Saturday, December 6, 12:49 AM

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson brought in five of nine targets for 39 yards in the Week 13 loss to the Dolphins. The nine targets were a team-high and his most since Week 2. He will look to build on this momentum in a matchup against the Buccaneers, where he had five receptions for 53 yards earlier in the season. The Saints will be shorthanded for the contest, with running back Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) ruled out and receiver Chris Olave (back) questionable to play. Through four games with Tyler Shough under center, Johnson has recorded an 18-202-2 stat line. Even if Olave suits up, Johnson will operate as a TE1 in what should be a pass-heavy offense against a Buccaneers team allowing 247.5 passing yards per game.

Friday, December 5, 7:45 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a trendy late-round upside pick in fantasy drafts in the fall, with Washington's backfield plans unsettled. He became even more popular off the waiver wire early in the season after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder out of Arizona had double-digit rushing attempts in five of six games from Weeks 5-10, accumulating 298 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries (3.9 yards per attempt). Bill has since fallen out of favor and has lost lead-back duties to Chris Rodriguez Jr. In the Sunday night overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, Croskey-Merritt played a season-low 14% of the snaps and had a season-low four carries for only 20 yards. He was also out-snapped by pass-catching back Jeremy McNichols. JCM is still rostered in just under 50% of Yahoo leagues, but in a three-back committee in Washington, he should be on benches entering Sunday's road matchup against Minnesota.