RBs to start in Week 14
Bears’ David Montgomery (vs. Texans): David Montgomery has been one of the hottest RBs in fantasy football in the past two weeks. The former third-round pick has combined for 52.4 fantasy points in the past two weeks. After playing the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, Montgomery draws another favorable matchup in the Houston Texans. Houston’s defense has given up 1,677 rushing yards (most in the NFL) and 15 rushing touchdowns (second-most in the NFL).
Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott (vs. Bengals): Having to put Ezekiel Elliott on the start list is a testament to how bad the offense of the Dallas Cowboys has been since Dak Prescott went down with an injury. The All-Pro RB has just one game this season where he eclipsed 100+ rushing yards and he hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since Week 5. He also has scored fewer than nine fantasy points in four out of his last six games, making him a risky option in fantasy football. Fortunately for him, he gets an opportunity to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, who have been gashed for 1,425 rushing yards to RBs, which is the third-most in the NFL. If you can’t comfortably play Elliott against the Bengals, when can you feel comfortable playing him?
Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (vs. Raiders): Did the Indianapolis Colts finally figure out that Jonathan Taylor is their most explosive option at RB in Week 13? The rookie RB finished with a season-best seven yards per attempt on 13 carries and he also tacked on three receptions for 44 yards and a receiving touchdown. Following his season-high of 22.5 fantasy points, Taylor gets a chance to build on his performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders just gave up 19.7 fantasy points to Ty Johnson of the New York Jets in Week 13 and they have the 32nd ranked run defense in terms of DVOA.
Other RBs to consider in Week 14: Lions’ D’Andre Swift (if active vs. Packers), Broncos’ Melvin Gordon (vs. Panthers), Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones (vs. Vikings), Washington’s J.D. McKissic (if Antonio Gibson is inactive vs. 49ers)
RBs to sit in Week 14
Eagles’ Miles Sanders (vs. Saints): The Philadelphia Eagles are finally making the move to bench Carson Wentz in favor of Jalen Hurts. Will that be enough to give a boost to Miles Sanders? Maybe in the future, but this week, the Eagles face a stout run defense in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have held opposing RBs to only 283 rushing yards in the past five games and haven’t surrendered a rushing touchdown since Week 7.
49ers’ Raheem Mostert (vs. Washington): It appears, to no one’s surprise, that Kyle Shanahan is taking a RBBC approach for the San Francisco 49ers. While Raheem Mostert continues to draw the start, he’s losing touches to Jerick McKinnon, Jeff Wilson Jr., and even Tevin Coleman. Mostert saw must two more carries (9) than Wilson did (7) against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. I don’t expect Mostert to see much success against a Washington Football Team defense that is holding opposing RBs to 18.36 fantasy points and five rushing touchdowns (both are third-fewest in the NFL).