The Denver Broncos have been a disaster on offense. There has been no genuine ignition within the offense, and the running game was dead upon arrival in 2024. This week, the Broncos will face the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and we have to question if Javonte Williams or Jaleel McLaughlin is the better running back to start in fantasy football in Week 3.
With the challenging matchup, we have to correctly identify the right player to utilize in our lineups this week. Let’s break down the key insights that will lead us to the optimal play in our lineups.
Should You Start Javonte Williams or Jaleel McLaughlin in Week 3?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say Williams is the player to start. Williams is projected for 44.9 rushing yards and 15.1 receiving yards. Although this stat line doesn’t scream “monster game,” he still is projected for more points than McLaughlin. McLaughlin’s line is projected for 32.9 rushing yards and 13.2 receiving yards.
My advice would be to start neither of them. However, when you isolate my rankings, I see McLaughlin outperforming Williams due to his pass-catching abilities within an offense begging for a spark as they play from behind in most games. If they lean into the short passing game more than they have throughout the first two weeks, we could see a fantasy performance worthy of starting McLaughlin.
Williams’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
To say Williams has struggled on the ground to start the season would be an understatement. He has had 19 rushing attempts and has only gained 40 rushing yards. That equates to 2.1 yards per rush, which TruMedia has ranked 40th overall in the NFL. An NFL team can not win in this league without a competent run game.
Only 2 RB’s have -2.0 or more rushing yards UNDER expectation/attempt:
⁃ Javonte Williams (-2.46 RYOE/att)
⁃ D’Andre Swift (-2.43 RYOE/att)Javonte has faced 8+ defenders in the box on 57.8% of his attempts – MOST in the NFL (no other player has topped 40%).
He has an…
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) September 18, 2024
The challenge does not get any easier for the Broncos running back as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line specializes in stopping the run game. If Williams has a repeat performance in the first two weeks, we have a red flag to plant with this player, who should become nothing more than a depth piece for your fantasy football team.
Jaleel McLaughlin Fantasy Outlook This Week
Earlier, we said McLaughlin has a sneaky chance to perform above his rankings in Week 3 due to his pass-catching abilities. Although the Buccaneers have a strong run defense, they struggle with running backs in the passing game. The Buccaneers defense has faced a league-high 20 targets to the running back position. Opposing running backs have recorded a league-high in both receptions and yardage.
On paper, Williams has outperformed him in the receiving game. He has more targets, yards, and routes run. However, this offense needs a spark plug, and the Broncos could turn to their running back, who last year had 5.2 yards per reception out of the backfield.
McLaughlin saw 15 total touches in Week 1 before seeing a dip in Week 2 to just three carries and no receptions.