Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Emari Demercado

Monday, October 6, 1:01 PM

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that the usage of running backs Nick Chubb and Woody Marks is game-plan dependent and also depends on the flow of the game, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Running backs coach Danny Barrett also has a lot of input on the usage between the two backs. After playing a season-high 56% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, Marks dropped down to 39% in the blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. Marks' fantasy managers were probably hoping for a lot more against the Ravens' depleted defense, especially in a blowout. The rookie had seven carries for 24 yards, while Chubb finished with 11 carries for a team-high 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Chubb and Marks will continue to move forward in a timeshare and will be RB3/flex plays in fantasy, with Marks offering fantasy managers more upside and big-play ability.

Sunday, October 5, 12:26 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado "will stay in the same role" on third downs. Meanwhile, Michael Carter will take over on first and second downs with Trey Benson (knee) out four to six weeks after having surgery on his meniscus. James Conner (ankle) has already been lost for the year, so the Cardinals' backfield depth is being tested early on. Arizona could plan more designed runs for slippery quarterback Kyler Murray, too. Demercado had two carries for eight yards and caught both of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While the 26-year-old will be more involved with Benson out, it's Carter that should see more volume, and thus be a better flex play in fantasy lineups, starting this Sunday against the winless Tennessee Titans. Demercado is a better flex option in PPR formats.