The New Orleans Saints have churned through their running back room this season. Alvin Kamara is out, and Keandre Miller and Devin Neal are both on IR and done for the season.
With the Saints getting the very beatable New York Jets in Week 16, the running back room, between Audric Estime and Evan Hull, is one to exploit for fantasy managers.
But, should fantasy managers start Estime this week? It's a tough question, and it depends on the other options. But, if between Estime and other players in the same range, Estime is worth the start this week.
Should Audric Estime be trusted in fantasy football playoffs?
Going with Estime is a big risk this weekend, as while he's likely to be the lead back, the Saints' running game hasn't been great this season, and the Jets could play better coming off the firing of their defensive coordinator.
But, looking at things on paper, Estime should, at worst, be in a split with Hull in the Saints backfield against the 30th-ranked defense in fantasy against running backs in Full PPR leagues.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, a Saints insider, speculated that Estime would probably be the lead back for the Saints this week. The former Denver Broncos running back is poised to lead the backfield this week and is a solid starting option for fantasy.
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Last week against the Carolina Panthers, after Neal left the game early, Estime recorded three carries for 11 yards. But his biggest production came in the passing game, as he caught three passes for 39 yards.
While it's unclear how likely his involvement in the passing game will be this week against the Jets, in such a good matchup, with the potential for plenty of touches, Estime is worth being in lineups.
Estime isn't the most prolific running back, but with a great matchup and the Saints offense looking to be on the upswing thanks to Tyler Shough's emergence as a potential franchise QB, Estime should be fantasy viable this week.
As is the case with any player in the same tier as Estime, there are risks involved with having them in lineups, especially in the fantasy playoffs. But Estime, set to be the lead back for New Orleans, is worth the risk this week for fantasy managers.
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