Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs

Friday, August 1, 4:42 PM

Philadelphia Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley saw a "heavy workload as a ball-carrier and a receiver" during the team's training camp practice on Friday, according to Andrew DiCecco of Inside the Birds. A heavy rushing workload is the expectation for Barkley, as he led the NFL in rush attempts (345) and rushing yards (2,005) on his way to winning the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2024. However, Barkley's receiving workload was relatively limited, as his 2.1 receptions per game was the lowest single-season mark of his career. Philadelphia has typically not utilized its running backs in the passing game during the Jalen Hurts era, but the team has also never had a running back as dynamic as Barkley. Modest reception totals are basically the only flaw in Barkley's fantasy profile, so correcting that could put him on track for a second-straight RB1 finish.

Monday, August 4, 12:23 PM

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs looked like the best player on the field at training camp the day he visited, and "his explosion suggests another heavy workload is coming." Jacobs had 301 carries in his first year in Green Bay in 2024 and has averaged 18.6 carries per game since 2022. Fowler doesn't see Jacobs' carries declining, and that could especially be true if MarShawn Lloyd (groin) cannot stay healthy. The 27-year-old's open-field cuts have looked really sharp this summer. If you decide to wait a little bit on your RB1 in fantasy drafts this year, Jacobs represents a high-floor, low-end RB1 target going into his second season with the Packers. The three-time Pro Bowler had 1,329 rushing yards and a career-best 15 touchdowns on 301 carries last year. He's still the centerpiece of this offense.