The 2023 NFL season is flying by our eyes. We have five weeks in the books and 13 more to go. Meanwhile, bye weeks have started, making setting your fantasy football lineup more difficult.
This week, fantasy players could have a difficult decision between Dameon Pierce and Rachaad White. Neither running back has been outstanding this season. Yet, both have had heavy workloads on surprising offenses. So, which one should you start in Week 6?
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Dameon Pierce’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Pierce was outstanding as a rookie. He was the RB15, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game before an injury ended his season in Week 14. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan in 2023.
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The former Gator is the RB23, averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game. The Houston Texans’ passing attack has played surprisingly well, limiting the need to lean on Pierce and the run game. After averaging 72.2 rushing yards per game as a rookie, the second-year running back has averaged only 49.4 yards per game this season. He has totaled fewer than 40 rushing yards in 60% of his games this year.
However, Pierce has played better over the past three weeks. He has averaged 59.3 rushing yards and 11.1 fantasy points per game over those three weeks, scoring 11.3 or more fantasy points twice. More importantly, the Texans’ offensive line is getting healthy, and the team is giving the young running back more touches. He has 44 rushing attempts over the past two weeks after totaling 40 in the first three games.
Rachaad White’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Many fantasy players had high hopes for White this season. The second-year running back has little competition for touches in the backfield after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Leonard Fournette. White has accounted for 77.7% of the rushing yards and 81.3% of the targets in the backfield this year.
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The former Arizona State star is the RB25, averaging 9.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has averaged only 51.5 rushing yards per game, totaling fewer than 40 in half the contests. However, the second-year player has had a consistent role in the passing game, averaging 3.3 receptions for 21.5 receiving yards per contest, totaling at least three receptions in three consecutive matchups.
While White has a featured role in Tampa Bay, the former Arizona State star hasn’t been consistent for fantasy players. He scored 18.8 fantasy points in Week 2 against a struggling Chicago Bears defense, totaling 103 scrimmage yards. However, White has averaged only 63 scrimmage yards per game in the other three games this season.
Which Running Back Should You Start?
Neither running back has a fantasy-friendly matchup on paper. Pierce takes on the New Orleans Saints. They have held running backs to only 12 half-point PPR fantasy points per game this season, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, New Orleans surrendered fewer than 60 rushing yards in three of the past four games.
Meanwhile, White faces the Detroit Lions. They have held running backs to only 10.9 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the league. Furthermore, Detroit has given up only two rushing touchdowns this season, both going to Kenneth Walker III in Week 2.
Unfortunately, both running backs have unfriendly fantasy matchups this week. However, fantasy players should start Pierce over White. The Texans’ offensive line is starting to get healthy. Furthermore, Pierce has been playing better over the past few weeks. Neither player is a top-20 running back, but the former Gator is the better option.