One could argue that RB Rhamondre Stevenson has been the lone bright spot of the New England Patriots offense since the month of November. Unfortunately, Stevenson picked up a high ankle sprain against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday which puts Ezekiel Elliott in line to see a leading role in this Patriots backfield in Week 14.
But can you trust Elliott in your fantasy football lineup against the Steelers on Thursday night?
Should You Start Ezekiel Elliott in Week 14?
Analysis by Kyle Soppe
Last week in a good spot against the Chargers, Zeke totaled 92 yards on 21 touches in a relief effort for Stevenson — a production that looked nice on your bench. Should you count on a repeat performance now that you have the opportunity to plug him in with a viable role?
The increased work warrants our attention, though the upside isn’t that of a game-changer. This Steelers defense is an aggressive bunch, and they’ve excelled at limiting the per-rush production lately:
Week 11, Browns RBs: 2.72 yards per carry Week 12, Bengals RBs: 2.27 ypc Week 13, Cardinals RBs: 4.48 ypc*
*Remove two runs and that average plummets to 3.04
The matchup isn’t great, and it’s no secret that Elliott is on the back nine of his career. None of his 112 carries this season have gained more than 17 yards, and he’s punched in just two scores on 136 touches.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
This Patriots offense is an “avoid” when possible, even when the volume projects as friendly. I’m viewing Elliott’s production as something of a ceiling with a high-end projection sitting around 9.4 fantasy points, his per-touch production this season extended for 16 touches.
That lands him as a low-end Flex play that I’m looking for excuses to bench in favor of a player with more upside.
Trending Start/Sit Searches For Ezekiel Elliott
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Should You Start Ezekiel Elliott or Breece Hall?
When looking at New York Jets RB Breece Hall, you have to appreciate his eight straight games with double-digit fantasy performances considering the current state of the Jets’ offense. However, the only thing saving his fantasy value right now is his usage in the passing game.
Hall has failed to rush for more than 30 yards in four straight contests, which means the fantasy floor can fall out beneath him on any given week. Zeke has topped the 30-yard rushing mark in three straight games and caught four passes for 40 yards after seeing an expanded role when Stevenson went down.
Elliott is dealing with a thigh injury, but I actually trust him a bit more to produce on the ground while seeing an expanded role in the passing game in Week 14.
Should You Start Zeke or AJ Dillon?
It may not have been league-winning type production, but Green Bay Packers RB AJ Dillon had one of his best outings against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs with 73 yards on 18 carries.
The Packers’ offense has started to turn the corner in recent weeks with Jordan Love’s improved play, which certainly helps Dillon’s fantasy ceiling with the team generating more red-zone opportunities.
MORE: Should You Start Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren in Fantasy Football in Week 14?
If Aaron Jones misses a third straight game, Green Bay’s matchup against the New York Giants will give Dillon another week in a feature role in a game that could produce a favorable game script if the Packers offense continues to roll in Week 14.
Derek Tate’s Week 14 RB Rankings
1) Christian McCaffrey | SF (vs. SEA) 2) Alvin Kamara | NO (vs. CAR) 3) Austin Ekeler | LAC (vs. DEN) 4) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. BUF) 5) Tony Pollard | DAL (vs. PHI) 6) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (at CLE) 7) Rachaad White | TB (at ATL) 8) Zack Moss | IND (at CIN) 9) Josh Jacobs | LV (vs. MIN) 10) Kyren Williams | LAR (vs. BAL) 11) Bijan Robinson | ATL (vs. TB) 12) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (at CHI) 13) James Cook | BUF (at KC) 14) Derrick Henry | TEN (at MIA) 15) Raheem Mostert | MIA (vs. TEN) 16) Breece Hall | NYJ (vs. HOU) 17) Javonte Williams | DEN (at LAC) 18) Saquon Barkley | NYG (vs. GB) 19) D’Andre Swift | PHI (at DAL) 20) David Montgomery | DET (at CHI) 21) Gus Edwards | BAL (vs. LAR) 22) De’Von Achane | MIA (vs. TEN) 23) Jaylen Warren | PIT (vs. NE) 24) Jerome Ford | CLE (vs. JAX) 25) Alexander Mattison | MIN (at LV)
26) Najee Harris | PIT (vs. NE) 27) AJ Dillon | GB (at NYG) 28) Joe Mixon | CIN (vs. IND) 29) Zach Charbonnet | SEA (at SF) 30) Ezekiel Elliott | NE (at PIT) 31) Devin Singletary | HOU (at NYJ) 32) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE (at PIT) 33) Khalil Herbert | CHI (vs. DET) 34) Dameon Pierce | HOU (at NYJ) 35) Chuba Hubbard | CAR (at NO) 36) Kareem Hunt | CLE (vs. JAX) 37) Keaton Mitchell | BAL (vs. LAR) 38) Tyjae Spears | TEN (at MIA) 39) Roschon Johnson | CHI (vs. DET) 40) Miles Sanders | CAR (at NO) 41) Ty Chandler | MIN (at LV) 42) Tyler Allgeier | ATL (vs. TB) 43) Samaje Perine | DEN (at LAC) 44) Royce Freeman | LAR (vs. BAL) 45) D’Ernest Johnson | JAX (at CLE) 46) Rico Dowdle | DAL (vs. PHI) 47) Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL (vs. TB) 48) Jamaal Williams | NO (vs. CAR) 49) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (at DAL) 50) Joshua Kelley | LAC (vs. DEN)
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