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.
My ranking for these two running backs aligns with the consensus. Edwards’ ability to get in the end zone has been impressive, while Mitchell simply hasn’t gotten on the field enough to make a huge fantasy impact.
Fantasy Outlook for Gus 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, and he is averaging 53.2 rush yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry over his last 10 games.
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But the touchdowns are the big separator with Edwards. He has 10 on the season — just one off the NFL lead of 11 from Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert. Plus, the Raven has scored multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games.
This comes from a player who came into the season with 13 career rushing touchdowns over his first four seasons, covering 52 games.
The Los Angeles Chargers have been decent at stopping the run most of the season, ranking 12th in rush yards allowed per game (102.0), but they did allow 200 rushing yards by the Detroit Lions two weeks ago. Only four teams have allowed more rushing touchdowns than the Chargers (12).
That would appear to play right into Edwards’, and the Ravens’, hands. Baltimore is the league’s top rushing team (155.1 rush YPG), and they have rushed for at least 125 yards in nine of 11 games this season.
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. So clearly, the big-play threat is there with this rookie.
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.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Mitchell to finish with 46 rushing yards and one catch for six yards.
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 and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
