Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Kyren Williams

Monday, March 11, 2:57 PM

Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money and has an additional $9 million available in incentives. After a 2018 rookie season that saw the former Penn State star go for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns, he has struggled to stay healthy over a chunk of the next five years of his career. He missed 21 games from 2019 to 2021. He bounced back in 2022 with 1,312 rushing yards but regressed to 962 yards in 14 games in 2023. However, the Eagles believe in him as a game-changing running back, as his average salary ($12.58 million) ranks only below Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Jonathan Taylor. Although the Eagles' offensive line could take a hit after the retirement of Jason Kelce, Barkley should be playing behind the best offensive line of his career in 2024. He will have an immediate high-end RB1 upside in fantasy football.

Wednesday, January 17, 12:53 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (hand) had successful surgery on Tuesday to fix a broken bone in his hand, according to head coach Sean McVay. Williams broke a bone in his hand in Sunday night's one-point wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions, but he'll have plenty of time to heal up before the start of the 2024 regular season. The 23-year-old moved into a starting role in LA's backfield in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign after the Rams traded Cam Akers away. Williams had a career year, carrying the ball 228 times for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns while also logging 32 receptions (48 targets) for 206 yards and three more scores in just 12 regular-season games played. He could have more competition for touches in 2024 in the Rams' backfield, but Williams should remain the lead back, which will give him at least high-end RB2 upside in fantasy drafts.