Who Should I Start? Khalil Herbert or Jonathon Brooks

Saturday, January 4, 11:41 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Khalil Herbert got the start for the injured Chase Brown (ankle) in Saturday's crucial win over the Steelers. The 26-year-old, who was acquired by the Bengals in November, had played sparingly since arriving in Cincinnati. However, he did exactly what was needed on Saturday night, running for 69 yards off 20 carries while adding seven catches for 14 yards. The Bengals still have a shot at the postseason. But if Herbert's season is finished, he'll likely draw interest from at least a few teams in free agency. With that said, unless he gets a meaningful role in 2025-26, his fantasy upside will remain capped.

Tuesday, February 11, 10:19 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after his second ACL tear in 2024 as a rookie. In addition to Brooks, the Panthers are expected to cut running back Miles Sanders. It's why The Athletic's Joseph Person has the Panthers taking SMU RB Brashard Smith with a fifth-round selection in his 2025 mock draft. Smith could be a nice change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard next year in the Panthers' backfield. The 21-year-old Brooks can be avoided in all single-year fantasy drafts this fall after suffering a gruesome injury in his first year in the NFL. Brooks could have a lengthier recovery after already tearing the same ACL in his final collegiate season at the University of Texas. In three games in 2024, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards.