Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Tyjae Spears

Monday, June 16, 6:18 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he hasn't felt the effects of setting a career-high with 345 carries during the regular season last year while adding 91 more rushing attempts during the team's Super Bowl run. "I feel really good," Barkley said. "I feel like I'm entering my prime." The 28-year-old led the NFL in carries, rushing yards (2,005) and yards per game (125.3) in 16 regular-season starts in 2024 in his first year in Philly. Not much has changed with the Eagles offense, meaning Barkley could have another outstanding campaign in his second year with the team in 2025 if he can stay healthy all year. Barkley's phenomenal 2024 season makes him the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts going into this fall. He also added 33 receptions for 278 yards and two more touchdowns on 43 targets.

Wednesday, June 18, 3:04 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has impressed this offseason, according to team writer Jim Wyatt. "Spears looked explosive on the field this offseason, when he got plenty of work," Wyatt wrote. "While Tony Pollard got the bulk of the work last fall, Spears showed flashes at different times. If he can stay healthy, he seems poised to be a consistent playmaker in 2025." The 2023 third-round pick out of Tulane struggled to stay healthy last season, missing five games due to multiple injuries. Overall, he tallied 84 rushing attempts for 312 yards and four scores to go with 30 receptions for 224 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 12 games. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has hinted at more of a split backfield in 2025, and the team could opt to use the "hot hand" approach. Fantasy managers should not rely on Spears as an RB2, RB3, or flex option to begin next year's campaign, but he's an intriguing handcuff stash and late-round draft dart throw in most formats. If No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward exceeds expectations in Year 1, the Tennessee offense could have more upside than suggested by the cost of the Titans' players in fantasy drafts.