Week 11 of the 2020 NFL season is right around the corner. All games are on schedule as it appears as though COVID-19 will not cause any delays *knocks on wood*. The fantasy football playoffs are getting closer and closer, which means that it’s never been more important to make the right running back start/sit decisions. Salvon Ahmed needs to find a way into your lineup, while Jonathan Taylor should probably end up on your bench.
Note that this list excludes obvious start/sit decisions. If you have Dalvin Cook, you’re going to play him every single week. Instead, this list is focused on filling out the final spots on your starting roster. If you’re loaded at running back, there is a chance you have a better option on your roster.
Wide Receiver Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Salvon Ahmed, Jonathan Taylor Highlight Fantasy Football Week 11 Running Back Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Start: Salvon Ahmed
Early in the season, Myles Gaskin was one of the biggest out-of-nowhere sensations in fantasy football. The former seventh-round pick had complete control of the backfield and was a fantastic weekly flex play. However, with Gaskin on IR, Salvon Ahmed has emerged as the new top option in this backfield. The Washington product earned the starting job last week, recording 21 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. He played so well that the Dolphins felt comfortable cutting Jordan Howard, and his 76% snap share ensures he’ll have a large role in this offense. While he probably won’t receive too many targets, he should have plenty of carries and a good shot at finding the endzone.
Sit: Jonathan Taylor
It’s hard to think of a bigger non-injury related bust than Jonathan Taylor. The rookie second-round pick was supposed to be a star with Marlon Mack sidelined, but he just hasn’t been able to live up to the hype. Nyheim Hines is receiving all of the passing work, and Jordan Wilkins is receiving more carries and red zone touches. This leaves Taylor as the third man in a committee approach, which is terrible for his fantasy stock. The Colts face a great matchup, but it’s hard to imagine Taylor panning out with his current 30% snap share over the past three weeks.
Start: Damien Harris
The New England Patriots want to run the ball, and Damien Harris excels at running between the tackles and blowing past defenders. Since returning to the lineup, Harris has recorded three 100-yard games and another with 71 yards. He receives the vast majority of the early-down touches, and he’s remarkably efficient thanks to his phenomenal offensive line and his own ferocious style of running. While his ceiling is limited thanks to Cam Newton’s red zone rushing and a lack of involvement in the passing game, he should receive plenty of touches and has a great shot of hitting 100 rushing yards and finding his way into the endzone.
Sit: Baltimore Ravens Backfield
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best rushing attacks in the league. However, the equal usage of all three running backs means that Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and Gus Edwards are all too underwhelming to start for fantasy. When all three are healthy, each player receives approximately the same amount of work, and that’s just not enough for any individual guy to be fantasy-relevant. If you have to start one, go with Gus Edwards, as he receives most of the goal line touches. However, you’re better off looking somewhere else for your flex play.
Start: Kalen Ballage
This one feels gross, but Kalen Ballage is a viable flex play this week. The former Miami Dolphins running back was arguably the worst in the league last year, but has found some life with the Los Angeles Chargers. Over the past two weeks, Ballage has recorded 33 combined carries for 137 yards and one touchdown to go along with seven receptions for 49 yards. He’s certainly not the second-coming of Barry Sanders, but he looks like a solid enough starter with a high workload. Coming off of a 73% snap share and facing off against the New York Jets, Ballage should have a solid game in Week 11.
Sit: Leonard Fournette
Unfortunately for all you Leonard Fournette truthers out there, Ronald Jones is the king of this backfield. When playing from ahead, Jones is the primary early-down runner and will receive the majority of the red zone touches. Fournette is exclusively a pass-catching specialist that rarely sees the field outside of obvious passing situations. This workload just isn’t enough to keep Fournette fantasy-relevant.
Wide Receiver Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
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