With the opportunity to step into a starting this week for the Los Angeles Chargers, fantasy managers are wondering if Joshua Kelley is worth starting. On the other side of the country, second-year RB Rachaad White hopes to prove his worth and keep his RB1 title for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and your fantasy football team. Which of the two should you start for Week 2?
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Joshua Kelley Fantasy Outlook This Week
Kelley showed off in Week 1, even with Austin Ekeler having an overall RB3 performance. Their usage was split exactly 50/50, with each running back carrying the load at different times in the game.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Kelley ran 20 routes and had 16 carries that translated to a career-high 91 yards and one TD.
Joshua Kelley
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls)
Ekeler was held out of practice all week, and on Saturday, it was confirmed that he would not play on Sunday, making Kelley L.A.’s RB1 against Tennessee.
It won’t be easy, however. Last week, the Titans allowed 69 yards rushing to the New Orleans Saints — the sixth-lowest rush total across the NFL. I expect this to continue in Week 2.
Rachaad White Fantasy Outlook This Week
White did not look good in Week 1, but to be fair, no Tampa Bay RB did. White had the most carries on the team (17), but he only managed to turn that into 40 yards. He also caught two targets for 10 yards. Rookie Sean Tucker, meanwhile, ran behind White and had five carries for 15 yards.
Tampa Bay takes on the Chicago Bears this week, who are coming off of a rough outing against Green Bay. They allowed Aaron Jones to record over 120 total yards and two total TDs. White should bounce back this week against a Bears team looking to find their footing.
Which of the RBs Should You Start?
If you’re starting Kelley, it’s based on volume alone. He should get close to all the carries, but if Tennessee is as strong with its rushing defense this week, it won’t matter. Thus, I think the Chargers will lean more on their passing attack.
White is the better start against a defense that has shown to be beatable on the ground. It’s clear the Bucs want to get him the ball, so expect the volume. There’s a good chance he’ll capitalize in a game that Tampa Bay is favored in.
