Who Should I Start? Kendre Miller or Tahj Brooks

Friday, February 20, 7:10 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (knee) had his 2025 season cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in Week 7. Before getting injured, the 23-year-old had recorded 223 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 52 touches across seven games played. A third-round pick by New Orleans in 2023, Miller appeared in just 14 games and recorded 454 total yards from scrimmage in his first two years in the NFL. His 2025 injury was an unfortunate setback, as Miller had just begun to carve out a real role in the Saints' backfield alongside veteran New Orleans back Alvin Kamara. Given the timing of Miller's injury, he should have a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. However, he will have to fight for touches with Kamara and 2025 sixth-round rusher Devin Neal, as well as anyone else New Orleans brings in over the offseason. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats may want to downgrade Miller's value heading into 2026.

Friday, February 20, 7:31 AM

A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks played a minimal role on offense in his first professional season. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 total touches. Bengals running back Chase Brown has logged nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined and is locked in as the RB1 in Cincinnati for at least 2026, blocking Brooks off from significant playing time. The Bengals also have steady veteran back Samaje Perine under contract for the 2026 season. Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Cincinnati in 2025, and his reputation as a solid pass blocker and receiver should keep him secure in the team's third-down role. Post 2026, Brooks could have a pathway to more playing time in Cincinnati. However, it appears unlikely that he will have a chance to prove himself in the short term, barring an injury to Brown or Perine. Brooks' value in dynasty formats should be trending downward after his quiet rookie campaign.