Baltimore Ravens RB Gus Edwards has been fantastic getting in the end zone as of late, while RB Keaton Mitchell continues to look solid in limited time on the field.
So, which one of the two is the better choice for fantasy football managers to start this week?
We’ll break down the two players and give you their fantasy outlook for this week.
Should You Start Gus Edwards or Keaton Mitchell This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Edwards is the player to start. His projected 9.4 points include 67 rushing yards, but he isn’t predicted to have any receptions. Still, his projected stat line outperforms the consensus projection of Mitchell’s 7.7 points.
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I am going with Edwardian this one, as he is just so likely to get in the endzone and score a touchdown.
Fantasy Outlook for Edwards This Week
Edwards has been a fairly consistent performer this season for the Ravens. Since Week 2, he has rushed for at least 40 yards in all but one game while averaging 53.2 yards during that stretch.
However, what you want most from running backs in fantasy is touchdowns, and there is only one running back with more. Entering Week 12, Edwards has 10 touchdowns, with only Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert with more (13). Edwards has scored multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games.
To put in perspective how crazy of a year he is having, he had only 13 touchdowns in the first 52 games of his career entering the season.
While the Los Angeles Chargers defense has been terrible at stopping the pass, the team is currently ranked 12th in rush yards allowed. They have struggled at times stopping the run, as the Detroit Lions rushed for 200 yards just a couple of weeks ago. While they are pretty good at stopping the run, they have given up 12 touchdowns, which is the fifth-highest in the NFL.
If you have Edwards on your team and you see that statistic, that should have you extremely excited. Edwards isn’t a guy who is going to put up crazy numbers when it comes to yards, but he is flat-out scoring touchdowns this year.
Edwards’ yards may not be elite this season, but his trips in the end zone sure are, which is why he gets the edge from me to start over Mitchell this week.
Fantasy Outlook for Mitchell This Week
Mitchell has 20 total carries on the season, and two of them have gone for touchdowns. His touchdowns have covered 40 yards and 39 yards, and his overall yards-per-carry average is an eye-opening 10.3. This rookie right now is showing signs of being an elite big-play player, but he is just not seeing the ball enough to be in your lineup.
But averaging less than eight touches a game (7.7) makes it difficult to make a huge fantasy impact, especially when you are deciding whether or not to choose that player over one that has nine touchdown runs over his last five games.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!