Who Should I Start? RJ Harvey or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, October 26, 9:18 PM

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey had the best game of his young NFL career in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, recording 51 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on eight total touches. Harvey had been held to 57 scrimmage yards and one touchdown over his last three games combined entering Week 8, so his outburst is a welcome sign for fantasy managers. Still, there's reason to doubt that Harvey's big game is a sign of things to come. Veteran Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins still earned more than double Harvey's touches (17 to eight) against Dallas. Additionally, outside of a 40-yard run, Harvey recorded just 11 yards on his other seven touches combined. The Broncos have a much tougher matchup in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, which may mean Harvey will remain tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter.

Saturday, October 25, 7:26 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke out for 150 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 5 against the Chargers, but he has disappointed in the past two weeks despite favorable matchups. Croskey-Merritt is still the clear No. 1 back in Washington, posting his three highest rushing attempt and route participation rates of the season over the past three weeks. The seventh-round rookie has still been one of the most efficient runners in the league despite the two-week lull, posting the third-highest success rate (60.3%) and eighth-highest explosive rush rate (6.8%) among running backs with at least 50 carries. He's not as involved in the passing game, which lowers his ceiling a tad, but he is still capable of delivering a big fantasy performance. He'll face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that hasn't been great on a down-to-down basis, ranking 22nd in rush success rate (42.6%). Croskey-Merritt ranks as RotoBaller's RB23 in PPR leagues for Week 8.