Cover Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images


When teams commit to a running-back-by-committee, it's very rare that the team actually splits carries and production evenly between the running backs. Usually, one of the backs distances themselves and becomes the go-to option, even if the other backs still get carries. Just look at Denver with Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. 


However, the Titans have somehow gone most of the season evenly distributing carries to Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis and they both sit with about the same rushing yards. So then the question is: which player is the better fantasy start?


Let's take a look at their total season stats:


Lewis: 122 carries, 420 yards, 1 touchdown, 41 targets, 36 receptions, 278 yards, 1 touchdown

Henry: 110 carries, 404 yards, 4 touchdowns, 10 targets, 8 receptions, 54 yards
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​So as far as rushing totals go, these two players are essentially equal, but Henry does have an advantage thanks to his use in the red zone. Henry's entire value comes from touchdowns. He's only hit double digits three times this season and it was when he scored a touchdown.
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​Meanwhile, even if the two backs are equal when it comes to running the ball, Lewis ultimately gets more touches thanks to his role as the pass-catching back. Lewis shoots past Henry in points scored thanks to 28 more receptions and 224 more yards receiving. Lewis has also been capable of hitting double digits without a touchdown this season.
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​Henry winds up being a deep-league flex, but with the knowledge that if he doesn't score a TD he's probably useless. Lewis is a borderline RB2 thanks to his receiving numbers. Both have their spots on a roster, but Lewis is a bit more generally viable week in and week out. 

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Ian McCafferty is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Ian McCafferty also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username itmccaff. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.