Who Should I Start? Rachaad White or Woody Marks

Sunday, October 12, 11:21 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has really stepped up in the team's lead-back role the last two weeks with Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) nursing multiple injuries. In the 30-19 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 6, White stayed productive with a team-leading 17 rushing attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches on three targets for 21 additional yards. The 26-year-old hasn't been all that productive with his touches the last two weeks since seeing an expanded role in the backfield, but he has delivered for fantasy managers with a nose for the end zone, scoring three total times in the last two games with Irving out. It's unclear if Irving will return in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, but if he misses a third straight game, White will maintain his plug-and-play RB2 status in fantasy.

Wednesday, October 8, 6:07 PM

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that the Houston Texans still view rookie running back Woody Marks as "predominantly a passing-game back," and one who "had a bit of an injury history in college." It was looking like Marks was taking over the backfield from veteran Nick Chubb when he had a season-high 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 50 yards and another TD in the Week 4 win against the Tennessee Titans. However, he was a disappointment in last week's blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens, handling seven carries for 24 yards and failing to reel in his only pass-game target. It means that when Houston is up big, like they were in Baltimore, Chubb will continue to have the playing-time advantage. Marks is still worth rostering in all fantasy leagues, but his backfield takeover in Houston appears to be a little premature.