Honorable Mention Start: De’Von Achane (MIA). Alvin Kamara (NO), Najee Harris (PIT)
Honorable Mention Sit: Javontae Williams (DEN), D’Andre Swift (CHI), Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX)
Start: Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
About six/seven weeks ago, I had a trade offer in one of my leagues – his Darnell Mooney and Joe Mixon for my Christian McCaffrey. Right when Mixon was coming back from his ankle injury suffered against the Bears, Mooney was fresh off a 30+ performance against Tampa Bay. I declined but loved the aggressiveness of the offer. Long, audible sigh. This isn’t a history lesson or cautionary tale – it’s me saying Joe Mixon has been ridiculous since that point (second in RB scoring since Week 6 behind only Saquon) and will be again this weekend against the Jaguars, who have been terrible against RBs all year, but especially bad these past four weeks (3/4 33 or more points allowed). Pick of the week: Mixon is going to FEAST.
Start: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard has been up and down this season, as most of us expected. He returns value here and there (top 24 in a little over half his games), but he’s just not sexy (one top 10 all season). That top 10, though, came last week. Tony was phenomenal against a very good Houston run defense, and he threw in some receptions as a bonus. I really like him this week against the Commanders, who are more susceptible to the run than meets the eye. He’s not a tier-one guy, but he’s better than he’s shown, and maybe Tennessee has figured out that feeding the best player on their offense is a good thing. He looks right again, and I’m willing to bet on him this week.
Sit: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This goes against my philosophy of attacking matchups, but hear me out. Yes, the Panthers are one of the worst in the NFL against the run. Acknowledged. And White has held a sturdy floor for much of the season. This is mostly about the emergence of Bucky Irving as the guy in Tampa Bay. Way back when I waxed poetic about what Irving could be if the largely ineffective Rachaad White were to cede touches. Well, we’re here. White is still getting most of the snaps, but Bucky is doing the most with his touches. In games that both have played, last week was the first time that Irving’s snap share was higher, and I think the Bucs don’t look back. That said, this isn’t a start reco for Irving – it’s me making the case not to start Rachaad as a result. Declining snap count and declining touches, and he’s just not super-efficient when he gets them.
Sit: Jonathon Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Why does the industry love Jonathon Taylor so much? He’s consistently ranked in the top 10 each week, and I have no idea why other than wishful thinking. Yes, he’s one of the true remaining bell cows, but so what? He’s not winning leagues for us; hell, he’s been in the top 10 just once this season. Overall, he’s been fine for us, but he’s also not fine when considering where we drafted him and what we subsequently need from him. RB finishes this season: RB29, RB14, RB4, RB13, RB11, RB35, RB15, RB28, RB35. That’s not enough, folks. And maybe he’s still dealing with the lingering effects of the high ankle sprain courtesy of the Steelers in Week 4. Idk. Maybe this is the matchup he gets right, and I know you’re starting him if you have to. I just don’t trust it.