Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor or Zay Flowers

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.

Saturday, December 21, 9:37 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reeled in 5-of-8 targets for 100 yards in Week 16's 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He added three yards on his lone carry. The 24-year-old was quiet for most of the contest but salvaged his day late with a field-flipping 49-yard grab. It was the first time that Flowers had reached the century mark since way back in Week 9, and just the third time in that stretch he's recorded at least five receptions. Despite the boom-bust nature of his game, the second-year wideout is far and away quarterback Lamar Jackson's No. 1 target and a dynamic player when in space with the ball in his hands. The former first-round pick will get a favorable matchup in Week 17 against a Houston Texans defense that's allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers through 15 weeks (36.0).