Who Should I Start? Sean Tucker or Emari Demercado

Friday, December 19, 5:37 PM

Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has logged single-digit touches in three straight games, but he's at least found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. His role has shrunk since Bucky Irving returned in Week 13. Tucker's 13 touches over the past three games rank firmly behind Rachaad White (19) and Irving (53). It's disappointing usage for the third-year back after breaking out for 140 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. However, he is seemingly the preferred back near the goal line, handling four of the six running back carries in the last three weeks. That still doesn't present much upside for the 24-year-old back, making him tough to trust heading into Week 16's divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Saturday, December 20, 4:26 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado is expected to handle an increased workload against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, but his fantasy outlook remains murky. He is on track to operate as the backup to Michael Carter this week after Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. While Demercado was viewed as Arizona's passing-down specialist at points earlier this season, it's unclear whether that remains his role given how well Carter has performed in the passing game lately. Carter has 19 catches over his last five games, whereas Demercado has just 10 catches through parts of 10 games this year. Rather than being a true passing-down specialist, it seems more likely that the 26-year-old will fall into a change-of-pace role, allowing the Cardinals to manage Carter's workload and keep him fresh. Demercado has shown impressive burst in the past, and his 8.3 yards per carry over the last two seasons indicates that he's capable of breaking off big plays. His fantasy value in Week 16 likely hinges on whether he's able to break off any big runs or catches against the Falcons. In other words, he'll need high efficiency to overcome a backup's workload. He currently ranks as the RB51 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.