Who Should I Start? Kyren Williams or Kendre Miller

Friday, September 6, 6:36 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is one of the best fantasy options at his position but faces a tough matchup against the Lions in Week 1. In what should be a high-scoring game, the Rams figure to exploit the passing game against Detroit which allowed 15.79 fantasy points to opposing running backs last season, the best mark in the NFL in that category. Put another way, the Lions were the stiffest test for fantasy running backs last season. That could continue into this season. Williams made some plays in the passing game last season so that could help him a bit in this matchup. The other wild card is the unknown usage of rookie Blake Corum, who theoretically could take away goal-line carries from Williams. Add it all up and this is not an ideal matchup for Williams. Fantasy managers will still likely want to start Williams without a better option in most cases. But expectations should be lowered in Week 1.

Tuesday, August 27, 3:10 PM

New Orleans Saints second-year running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to start the 2024 regular season on Injured Reserve, according to a source. At the very least, Miller will be required to miss the first four games of the year. The 22-year-old former TCU RB injured his hamstring at the start of training camp and hasn't done much since. The former third-rounder battled injuries for most of his first year in the NFL as well and ended up playing in just eight games in 2023, carrying the ball 41 times for 156 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown while adding 10 receptions for 117 yards through the air. The Saints are quickly running out of patience with Miller, so he'll need to get back on the field sooner than later if he wants to stick around past the 2024 season. Miller's injury provides a clear path for Jordan Mims to be the RB3 behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.