Who Should I Start? Zach Charbonnet or Emari Demercado

Friday, October 3, 7:53 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is a flex option in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Charbonnet continues to split backfield duties with Kenneth Walker III. However, Charbonnet's lack of participation in the passing game is hurting his fantasy value. Charbonnet has scored double-digit fantasy points each time he has found the end zone this season. However, he scored one fantasy point in Week 2 when he did not score. The Seahawks trust Charbonnet as their short-yardage back. Given that this offense has demonstrated its ability to get into scoring position, Charbonnet is always a threat to score. However, he is too inconsistent to be considered for your RB2 spot. Additionally, the Buccaneers boast one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL. They have been middle-of-the-road against opposing running backs in fantasy, but opposing running backs are averaging less than three yards per carry. Charbonnet is a fine flex play, especially given that bye weeks have begun, but his upside is capped in Week 5.

Sunday, October 5, 12:26 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado "will stay in the same role" on third downs. Meanwhile, Michael Carter will take over on first and second downs with Trey Benson (knee) out four to six weeks after having surgery on his meniscus. James Conner (ankle) has already been lost for the year, so the Cardinals' backfield depth is being tested early on. Arizona could plan more designed runs for slippery quarterback Kyler Murray, too. Demercado had two carries for eight yards and caught both of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While the 26-year-old will be more involved with Benson out, it's Carter that should see more volume, and thus be a better flex play in fantasy lineups, starting this Sunday against the winless Tennessee Titans. Demercado is a better flex option in PPR formats.