Who Should I Start? Rhamondre Stevenson or Raheem Blackshear

Friday, January 3, 11:03 PM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson remains an unreliable fantasy option heading into Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Stevenson was effectively benched last Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. While he did log the first touch of the game, he finished the contest with just two carries for one yard while Antonio Gibson rushed the ball 12 times. Gibson has led the Patriots' backfield in snaps for two consecutive weeks, which is the product of Stevenson's poor ball security this season, including a costly Week 16 fumble against the Bills. The Patriots have been somewhat quiet about their personnel decision for Sunday's regular-season finale, but we would expect Stevenson to remain in the doghouse. He's not a dependable fantasy option as the Patriots' season wraps up.

Sunday, December 29, 9:12 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear rushed for 20 yards on eight carries during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was not targeted in the passing game. Blackshear earned his first start of the season after Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday morning. While Blackshear did lead the Panthers in carries and rushing yards, his inefficiency and lack of productivity certainly proved unfortunate for any fantasy managers streaming him in Week 17. Even with a slightly more favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18, Blackshear will remain off the fantasy radar going forward. The same goes for his fellow running back, Mike Boone, who had just 11 rushing yards on two carries.