Who Should I Start? Roschon Johnson or Trey Benson

Saturday, November 23, 5:35 AM

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson is a speculative play in Week 12 as he faces a daunting matchup against the Minnesota Vikings' elite run defense. The Bears' backfield rotation continues, making Johnson a potential dart throw for fantasy managers in deeper leagues or those searching for a sleeper. In limited action last week, Johnson showcased his goal-line potential, rushing 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown, which is encouraging for those hoping he'll see more opportunities in Week 12. With starter D'Andre Swift (groin) limited in practice this week, there's a chance Johnson could see an uptick in touches, though Swift practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play. Johnson's fantasy viability this week largely depends on whether the Bears can get into the red zone and decide to use him in short-yardage situations. The Vikings rank 4th in points allowed per game and 1st in EPA per rush, making it difficult to trust any back in this matchup. For fantasy managers dealing with bye-week fill-ins, Johnson could be a desperation play with touchdown upside. His value hinges on the Bears' ability to push the ball inside the 5-yard line and give him a chance to punch it in.

Saturday, November 23, 2:18 PM

Arizona Cardinals rookie Trey Benson has begun to slowly find a role in the offense and could be in store to see a solid workload in their Week 12 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. During Week 9, the rookie logged eight carries with one target. Then, in Week 10, Benson earned a season-high ten attempts and two targets in their decisive victory over the New York Jets. During this two-game stretch, Benson has averaged an impressive 5.5 average yards per carry. Before this, Benson saw just six rushing attempts during Weeks 6 through 8. While fantasy managers should still expect James Connor to operate as the clear leader of the backfield, Benson could be a viable low-end flex option in 14+ team formats, especially if the Cardinals are playing with a lead. In addition, given how well he is running the ball, he could produce a solid fantasy stat line, albeit in a limited role as he has in the past two games.