Who Should I Start? Ty Johnson or Audric Estime

Saturday, November 29, 12:06 AM

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson does not boast fantasy appeal in Week 13 despite operating as the primary handcuff to backfield mate James Cook. The 28-year-old has actually seen his role in the passing game remain steady since Week 9, collecting at least two targets and receptions over the four-game sample. Still, he's failed to carry the ball more than twice in any game over that stretch, and has done so just twice on the season as a whole, with Cook handily leading the backfield. Furthermore, quarterback Josh Allen has more than tripled Johnson's carry total (70-21), leaving little volume left to go around on the ground. Johnson is worthy of a stash in the deepest of PPR formats for his stable work in the receiving game, but his floor is low, and the ceiling is nearly nonexistent. He's RotoBaller's PPR RB64 ahead of Week 13.

Monday, December 15, 6:34 PM

At least in deeper fantasy football leagues, New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime is worth looking at on waivers going into Week 16 action after rookie RB Devin Neal injured his hamstring in the Week 15 upset win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Estime played a season-high 36% of the offensive snaps and split backfield work with Evan Hull after Neal was injured in the second quarter. The 22-year-old handled three carries for 11 yards and also caught all three of his targets for an additional 39 yards. Hull had just one more carry than Estime and wasn't involved at all in the passing game. Estime could be in play as a deep-league RB3/flex option in a great Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets if both Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) and Neal are unable to play. Keep in mind that both rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (team-high eight carries on Sunday) and tight end Taysom Hill could take valuable carries away from both Estime and Hull if Kamara and Neal are out this weekend.