The 2023 NFL regular season is nearly halfway over. Fantasy players can start to see which of their draft picks were an excellent selection and which they were better off leaving for someone else in the league.
This week, four teams are on a bye, leaving fantasy football players with difficult decisions, especially at the running back position. One of those decisions could be between starting New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson or Ezekiel Elliott.
Let’s dive into it.
Should You Start Rhamondre Stevenson or Ezekiel Elliott This Week?
According to the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, Stevenson is the player to start. He is projected to score 10.2 half-PPR points. His projections include 42.3 rushing yards, 0.2 rushing touchdowns, four receptions, 24.2 receiving yards, and 0.1 receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Elliott’s projection is for 6.6 fantasy points with 31.1 rushing yards, 0.4 rushing touchdowns, 0.9 receptions, 4.8 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns this week.
I agree with the Start/Sit Optimizer. Stevenson is the lead running back, while Elliott is the No. 2 guy. The former Oklahoma star has played at least 50% of the snaps in every game this season. Meanwhile, the veteran running back has played over 40% of the snaps only twice, never playing more than 46% in any game this year.
The New England Patriots face the Washington Commanders in Week 9. Washington has surrendered 16.9 half-PPR points per game to running backs, slightly lower than the league average. The Commanders have held running backs to 85.6 rushing yards, 0.25 rushing touchdowns, and 16.2 fantasy points per game over the past month.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Stevenson had an outstanding sophomore year in 2022. Unfortunately, he has struggled this season. He is the RB24, averaging 9.1 half-PPR points per game. He has scored fewer than 6.8 fantasy points in half the games this year, including last week against the Miami Dolphins.
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However, Stevenson has earned more of a role in the passing game lately. After having 12 receptions over the first four weeks, the former Oklahoma star has 13 receptions over the past three contests, including five or more twice.
Ezekiel Elliott’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Elliott was once a fantasy football superstar. Unfortunately, those days are well behind him. Yet, he had a solid 2023 season. He is the RB39, averaging 6.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game. However, the veteran running back has scored double-digit fantasy points only once this year.
Still, Elliott has found the end zone twice over the past three weeks. TheHe has averaged eight fantasy points per game over the past three contests, scoring 9.1 or more twice. While Stevenson has played an average of 17.5 snaps per game more than Elliott, the veteran running back has remained a low-end Flex option for fantasy players.
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!