Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor or Salvon Ahmed

Friday, December 20, 10:01 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to draw his first career start filling in for the ruled-out rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) in Miami on Sunday. With Guerendo healthy enough to play, the undrafted 26-year-old Taylor Jr. received neither touch nor target in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Taylor was involved was in Week 14 versus Chicago when he took seven carries for 25 yards, one touchdown, and one unfulfilled target. On the surface, Taylor Jr. may seem like a must-start since head coach Kyle Shanahan always rides his lead back heavily, but it's appropriate to temper expectations. If one includes Elijah Mitchell -- who was ruled out for the year in the preseason -- San Francisco is down to their fifth-string running back whose career YPC (3.9) is significantly below all four backs ahead of him. As a result, Shanahan may be compelled to use some combination of Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Taylor Jr. is also less likely than his injured teammates to produce as a receiver. Miami's D is ranked 14th in running back half-PPR points against. The talent and usage questions place Taylor Jr. firmly in RB3/FLEX territory, even in a decent matchup.

Wednesday, October 16, 1:15 PM

The Indianapolis Colts signed free-agent running back Salvon Ahmed to their practice squad on Wednesday with both Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Trey Sermon (knee) dealing with injuries. Taylor has missed the last two weeks with a high-ankle sprain, while Sermon apparently banged his knee up in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans. For now, Ahmed will give the Colts extra depth at the position behind Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull. Ahmed has 163 career carries with five touchdowns and 3.6 yards per carry in his four years in the NFL, all with the Miami Dolphins, the Colts' Week 7 opponent. Last year in Miami, he had 22 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown and caught 16 of his 23 targets for 88 yards and another touchdown. Ahmed remains off the fantasy radar for now.