Start Zach Evans vs. Jaleel McLaughlin vs. Jeff Wilson vs. Zack Moss vs. Jaylen Warren vs. Several Others | Fantasy Football Week 7 RB Start Decision
Every week, there seems to be one really popular name in the FantasySP start/sit tool. That guy this week is Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans.
He’s part of trending decisions against Denver Broncos’ Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams, Miami Dolphins’ Jeff Wilson, Indianapolis Colts’ Zack Moss, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, Green Bay Packers’ AJ Dillon, Buffalo Bills’ Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens’ Justice Hill and Arizona Cardinals’ Keaontay Ingram. Let’s get into it.
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Why You Should Start Zach Evans
Kyren Williams is out with an ankle injury, and Ronnie Rivers was placed on injured reserve with an ailment of his own. That leaves Zach Evans as the next man up for the Rams.
It’s not quite that simple though, as Los Angeles also signed Royce Freeman and Myles Gaskin to the active roster and added Darell Henderson to the practice squad. Evans was third on the depth chart behind Williams and Rivers, so many people are treating him as the starter.
Evans is the only running back on the team with any offensive snaps this season, and he’s played just 10. He’s rushed four times for 10 yards in his limited time on the field.
Freeman has played games for the Rams already this season, but only on special teams. Gaskin only played a couple special teams’ snaps for the Minnesota Vikings this season. Henderson would be making his season debut if he plays, but is familiar with the Rams’ offense after spending the past four seasons there.
You can read more about how I think the Rams’ backfield will shake out here. The Rams added Gaskin since that story was released, but I don’t think he’s a threat to take snaps from Evans, Henderson or Freeman. My guess is still that Evans and Henderson split the workload for the team’s contest against the Steelers.
Evans is ranked 28th in our weekly projections. The Steelers’ defense is below average against running backs, allowing 23 fantasy points per contest.
Why You Should Start Jaleel McLaughlin
The Broncos’ backfield is a mess, with McLaughlin, Williams and Samaje Perine all factoring into the offense. In week 6, McLaughlin led the team with 21 snaps played.
McLaughlin went for 30 yards on seven carries, while adding 12 receiving yards on two receptions. If Denver continues to split the workload up, McLaughlin has a bit of an edge over Williams because of his pass-catching ability.
McLaughlin is ranked 27th in the weekly projections. It’s a pretty favorable matchup ahead, as the Packers’ defense allows 28 fantasy points to backs per week, which is tied for the third-worst mark in the league.
Why You Should Start Javonte Williams
Williams is Denver’s top-ranked back in our projections, slotting in 25th.
He’d been the team’s starter and workhorse until McLaughlin broke out a couple weeks ago. Williams also missed a game with an injury, which helped open the door for McLaughlin to contribute.
Williams played 18 snaps last week, but led the team’s three backs with 10 touches. He rushed 10 times for 52 yards.
I believe he will continue to lead the team in rushing attempts, but will have his snaps cut into weekly.
Why You Should Start Jeff Wilson
Wilson is expected to make his season debut against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. He’s been on injured reserve all season, but was activated on Saturday.
He played eight games with Miami a season ago, rushing for 392 yards and three touchdowns across 84 attempts. Wilson also caught half of his 24 targets for 94 yards and a score.
Wilson, along with Salvon Ahme, will back up Raheem Mostert this week. Even though Mostert will be the lead back, Miami has already proved that they will utilize multiple backs a week, so Wilson should get his fair share of snaps and touches.
Wilson is the 39th-ranked back in the projections. Ahmed is 52nd. The Eagles’ defense is one of the best in the NFL in slowing opposing backs, allowing just 14 fantasy points per contest.
Why You Should Start Zack Moss
The split workload between Moss and Jonathan Taylor continued in week 6, and it’s expected that it continues to flip toward Taylor as the weeks roll by.
In week 6, Moss played 39 snaps to 33 for Taylor. Both backs had 13 touches. Moss tallied 21 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, while catching six of his seven targets for 38 yards.
Even if Taylor leads the team in touches this week, I wouldn’t be shocked if Moss still gets around 10 touches. The way he’s produced on his looks so far, he could turn in a decent fantasy showing, especially if he can score again.
Moss is the 24th-ranked back in our weekly projections. Moss and the Colts will be taking on the Cleveland Browns this weekend. It’s a tough matchup, as the Browns’ defense is allowing just 15 fantasy points a game to opposing backs.
Why You Should Start Jaylen Warren
The Steelers are coming off their bye week. The last time they took the field, Warren and Harris split the running back duties, which has pretty much been the norm for the season.
Warren has played 137 offensive snaps and received 55 touches. He’s rushed for 124 yards on 34 carries and added 166 receiving yards on 21 receptions and 25 targets.
Despite being the better all-around back, our projections still like Harris more. Warren is ranked 32nd. The backs will be going up against a Rams’ defense that surrenders 16 fantasy points to backs per week.
Why You Should Start Najee Harris
Harris has more snaps (161) and touches (68) than Warren, but the backup has him beat in total yards.
Harris has rushed 63 times for 247 yards and caught five of his nine targets for 37 yards.
In the weekly projections, Harris is ranked 20th.
Why You Should Start AJ Dillon
Dillon’s fantasy outlook will vary depending on whether Aaron Jones plays or not. Jones is listed as questionable with his hamstring injury.
Even if Jones does play, Dillon should play a good amount of snaps. His touches would take a hit. I could see the red zone and short-yardage work going to Dillon.
Dillon has pretty much been the Packers’ starting back since week 1, but hasn’t done a whole lot. He’s actually only got a couple more fantasy points than Jones, who has only played once since week 1.
For the season, Dillon has rushed for 194 yards and a touchdown on 64 carries. He’s caught half of his six targets for 25 yards.
Dillon is the 29th-ranked back in the weekly projections. Jones is ranked 13th. The Packers also signed James Robinson to the practice squad this week, but I’d doubt he’d play too big of a role if Jones is back on the field.
The Packers’ backs will be facing a Denver defense that is the worst in the league against backs, surrendering 39 fantasy points a contest.
Why You Should Start Latavius Murray
Murray appears poised to take on a bigger role in the Bills’ offense after how the backfield snaps and touches were distributed last week.
Murray matched starter James Cook with 30 offensive snaps played. Cook had two more touches and was more effective with his looks, but Murray was no slouch either. Murray finished with 45 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
Murray is ranked 33rd in this week’s projections. He’ll be taking on the New England Patriots’ defense that’s been average against opposing backs, allowing 21 fantasy points a game.
Why You Should Start Justice Hill
Another backfield that looks to be transitioning a bit is the one in Baltimore. Hill and starter Gus Edwards have split the workload the last few weeks, with Edwards getting a couple extra looks a week.
Hill has 11 touches over the past two weeks, while Edwards has 29 total touches. Hill scored a touchdown two weeks ago, and was a more efficient runner last week.
I’d expect the two backs to continue to share the load, with Edwards getting more snaps and touches each week, but Hill getting the chance to offset that with a touchdown.
Hill is ranked 35th in this week’s projections, just five slots behind Edwards. They’ll be taking on a Detroit Lions’ defense that’s the best in the league against backs, with just 12 fantasy points allowed per week.
Why You Should Start Keaontay Ingram
The Cardinals’ backfield has a new look after the injury to James Conner. Many expected Emari Demercado to lead the way last week, but it was Ingram and Damien Williams instead.
Ingram led the way with 12 touches, rushing 10 times for 40 yards and catching two passes for an additional 11 yards.
Demercado played the most snaps (33), but only got three touches. He rushed twice for 11 yards and caught a 6-yard pass. Williams only played 13 snaps, but got nine touches in that time. He rushed eight times for 36 yards and added an 8-yard reception.
Ingram is the top-ranked Arizona back this week, coming in 36th overall. Demercado is ranked 49th.
The Cardinals will be facing a Seattle Seahawks’ defense that’s been average in slowing opposing backs, allowing 20 fantasy points per game.
[projection=”Keaontay Ingram"]
Final Numbers and the Recommended Start
Let’s analyze the matchups from an Evans’ owner perspective. Evans is the preferred starter over McLaughlin, Ingram, Wilson, Moss, Warren, Dillon, Harris, Murray and Hill. That leaves only Williams as a preferred starter over Evans, and it wasn’t by much.
I am not nearly as big a fan of Evans, although maybe I stand alone in thinking the Rams’ backfield will be a committee this week.
I’d take McLaughlin as my top back here as he’s the top big-play threat of the bunch and has a favorable matchup ahead. Dillon would go next if Jones can’t play.
I’d go with Warren next, slightly ahead of Moss. I’d take Williams next, followed by Harris and then Murray. Dillon would go here if Jones plays. I’d take a chance on Wilson next, followed by Hill. The only guy I like Evans over is Ingram, and that’s basically a coin flip.
I prioritized guys I think would play the most snaps and have the best chance at getting touches. Above-average pass catchers got a boost, and then finally matchups were taken into account. To be truthful, I don’t like many of these backs this week, but I understand you might need to make a choice between a couple of them due to injuries and the bye week. Best of luck!
