Who Should I Start? Ty Johnson or Hassan Haskins

Saturday, October 4, 6:31 PM

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson continues to play a modest role in the team's backfield rotation, logging between 20% and 33% of offensive snaps in each of the first four games. However, his on-field presence has not translated into meaningful fantasy production, as he's averaging just two carries for 10.8 yards per game. With James Cook III firmly entrenched as the lead back and quarterback Josh Allen consistently handling a share of the rushing workload, Johnson's fantasy value remains minimal. Unless Cook misses time, Johnson offers little more than deep-league or handcuff appeal. Fantasy managers should avoid starting him in Week 5 against a Patriots defense that has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game. Johnson's role is simply too limited to warrant consideration outside of the deepest formats.

Thursday, October 16, 11:14 AM

Despite being named the team's starter leading up to their win against the Miami Dolphins last weekend, Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins took a backseat to teammate Kimani Vidal. It was never assumed that the 25-year-old would absorb all of LA's backfield work in Omarion Hampton's (ankle) absence, but Vidal took the opportunity and ran with it. Haskins was out-touched 21-7, out-gained 139-23, and out-snapped 43-20. The Chargers could opt to even out the distribution of backfield touches moving forward. Still, Vidal has the hot hand currently, and figures to get another crack at running away with the starting job in Sunday's home outing with the Indianapolis Colts. Haskins can't be trusted for fantasy, but he's on the radar as the handcuff to own in Los Angeles for the time being.