With Kyren Williams still not expected to return until Week 12, the Los Angeles Rams figure to go with both Darrell Henderson Jr. and Royce Freeman at the running back position against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. But which of the two is the better choice for fantasy football managers to start this week?
Should You Start Darrell Henderson Jr. or Royce Freeman This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Henderson is the player to start. His projected 9.8 points include 32 rushing yards, three catches, and 17 receiving yards. That projected stat line barely outperforms the consensus projections of Freeman’s 8.3 points.
MORE: Katz’s Fantasy Football Week 11 Start/Sit
My ranking for these two Rams running backs aligns with the consensus. Henderson should separate himself from Freeman because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Fantasy Outlook for Henderson This Week
Henderson’s numbers over three games do not look that great on the surface. He is averaging just 37 rush yards per game and less than three yards a carry (2.8) on fewer than 14 carries a game (13.3).
But Henderson does have a chance to be productive in this matchup with the Seahawks simply because he is starting to demonstrate the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Over the last two weeks, Henderson has five catches total for 70 receiving yards combined, including 54 two weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys. He still has just one touchdown over those three games, so it’s difficult to expect anything to happen there for Henderson this week.
But the Seahawks defense has not exactly been impressive of late in stopping opposing running backs.
Two weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens ran for 298 yards on Seattle’s defense, and although the Seahawks held the Washington Commanders to 68 rushing yards last week, they allowed two Commanders running backs to catch touchdown passes.
That could be the opportunity Henderson needs to put up some decent numbers in this matchup.
Fantasy Outlook for Freeman This Week
When it comes to running the ball, Freeman has actually been the better back of the two lately. Over the last three games, Freeman is outgaining Henderson on the ground, averaging 47.3 rush yards per game and over four yards a carry (4.3).
He also had a rushing touchdown two weeks ago against the Cowboys, and it’s worth noting that the Seahawks are tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns allowed by opposing running backs (nine).
However, Freeman has not only had zero receptions this season, but he has yet to even be targeted by LA quarterbacks. For me, that is the ultimate deciding factor when choosing Henderson over Freeman.
The Optimizer projects Freeman to finish with 38 rush yards with three receptions for 16 yards.
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