Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Javonte Williams

Wednesday, August 6, 1:06 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is listed as the RB1 on the team's first unofficial preseason depth chart ahead of Tyjae Spears. Meanwhile, Spears is listed as the co-RB2 with rookie Kalel Mullings. Head coach Brian Callahan has envisioned more of an even split in this year's backfield between Pollard and Spears, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said earlier this week that "people I've talked to in Tennessee believe Spears has positioned himself for an uptick" in opportunities after he averaged 9.5 touches per game last year. Assuming everyone is healthy, Pollard is probably the RB1, but the margin figures to shrink between he and Spears in 2025. It puts Pollard more on the RB2/3 borderline, while Spears is a decent RB4/flex target in PPR leagues or as a handcuff to Pollard. In his first year in Tennessee, Pollard had a career-high 1,079 rushing yards and five TDs on 260 carries.

Wednesday, September 3, 10:32 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams makes his Cowboys debut in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but fantasy managers should temper expectations. Williams signed a one-year deal with Dallas and is listed atop the depth chart ahead of Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. While the role is encouraging, the matchup is not. Philadelphia allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs last year and projects to force the Cowboys into a pass-heavy game script. Williams profiles as an RB4 this week, better suited for benches than starting lineups outside of deeper leagues.