Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Calvin Austin III

Thursday, February 12, 7:11 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard didn't quite live up to expectations during the 2025 season, finishing the year with 1,082 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He did still manage to finish as the RB23 in full-PPR leagues, but his fantasy scoring was a bit skewed due to a three-week stretch during which he exploded for 367 yards and three touchdowns. It seemed like Pollard's 2025 fantasy value would hinge on whether Tyjae Spears played well, but in reality, both Pollard and Spears saw their outputs depend on the state of the Titans' offense. Tennessee limped to the finish line with the second-worst offense in terms of total yards, making it difficult for either running back to make much of a fantasy impact. Heading into 2026, we can't rule out a shakeup to the Titans' backfield. The Titans structured Pollard's three-year deal to give them a potential out prior to the third season, and the clock is now ticking on that decision. The Titans could be incentivized to release the veteran running back; doing so would create $7.25 million in cap savings with just $2 million in dead money. If he does hit the open market, Pollard would likely be viewed as a 1B running back -- someone who can join a backfield with another average ball-carrier. Of course, fantasy managers would prefer that team to be a contender so that Pollard can consistently handle valuable and meaningful touches in 2026. With so much uncertainty, dynasty managers might consider selling high on Pollard and using his RB23 finish to tempt other managers into a deal.

Wednesday, February 18, 7:01 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III had a clear path to production in 2025, but he failed to capitalize on his opportunities and ultimately turned in a disappointing season. It seemed like Austin had a chance to break out this past season after Pittsburgh traded away George Pickens and signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The DK Metcalf addition certainly added a wrinkle to Austin's outlook, but it theoretically should have worked in his favor because he's more of a No. 2 receiver anyway. In the end, Austin's productivity actually took a step backward. He had 31 catches (five fewer than 2024), 372 yards (176 fewer than 2024), and three touchdowns (one fewer than 2024). He was the overall WR74 in PPR leagues, and managers never really knew when to start him. He was heavily dependent on scoring touchdowns, as he found the end zone in three of the four games where he produced double-digit fantasy points. Austin will have an opportunity for a fresh start in 2026, as he'll hit free agency next month. However, it was really crucial for him to produce in a contract year, and he wasn't able to do so. As a result, he might end up signing somewhere as a No. 3 receiver, which will severely limit his upside in fantasy football. He's off the redraft radar in most leagues. Dynasty managers should hold onto him for now, and then trade him as soon as he signs somewhere.