Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Anthony McFarland Jr.

Wednesday, April 10, 11:05 PM

Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz sees running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard as 1A and 1B in some combination at the RB position for the team heading into the 2024 season. Holz said both backs will get a lot of touches. It's clearly bad news for Pollard's fantasy value after he served as the lead back for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, recording his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season with six touchdowns but a career-low 4.0 yards per carry in 17 regular-season starts. Expecting a third straight 1,000-yard season in his first year in Tennessee would be unwise. If both Spears -- who had 453 rushing yards and 385 receiving yards with three total TDs as a rookies last year, -- and Pollard split the backfield work evenly, they'd both be more of RB3/flex plays in fantasy on a weekly basis in an offense that could be transitioning to more of a balanced attack rather than run-heavy.

Thursday, August 24, 11:23 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. handled 10 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in the team's preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons. McFarland relieved Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren of their duties in the first quarter and received plenty of opportunities in the first half. The fourth-year pro powered through multiple Falcons defenders for a five-yard score in the second quarter that gave the Steelers a 24-0 lead. After an impressive summer, McFarland has given himself a great shot to make the final 53-man roster but is unlikely to make an impact for fantasy football in 2023.