Start Em Sit Em Week 3: Making the Call on Fringe Running Backs

Deciphering which running backs to plug into the starting lineup is a daunting task for any fantasy owner. After all, this isn't exactly a deep position, and that leads to many fringe starters getting the nod on a weekly basis.

Some calls are rather easy. If LeSean McCoy, DeMarco Murray, Giovani Bernard or other similar ball-carriers reside on your roster, please don't overthink things, just start them. However, other decisions can be rather nerve racking. Should you start Trent Richardson against the Jacksonville Jaguars or Pierre Thomas against the Minnesota Vikings? This is the type of question we'll attempt to answer here.

Let's take a look at some running backs who can't quite be considered must-start candidates and decide whether it's better to roll with them or keep them on your bench in Week 3.

Player	Team	Opponent	Start/Sit
C.J. Spiller	Buffalo Bills	San Diego Chargers	Start
Matt Asiata	Minnesota Vikings	New Orleans Saints	Start
Stevan Ridley	New England Patriots	Oakland Raiders	Start
Darren McFadden	Oakland Raiders	New England Patriots	Sit
Trent Richardson	Indianapolis Colts	Jacksonville Jaguars	Sit
Bernard Pierce	Baltimore Ravens	Cleveland Browns	Sit
Zac Stacy	St. Louis Rams	Dallas Cowboys	Start
Khiry Robinson	New Orleans Saints	Minnesota Vikings	Start
Jeremy Hill	Cincinnati Bengals	Tennessee Titans	Start
Ahmad Bradshaw	Indianapolis Colts	Jacksonville Jaguars	Start
Pierre Thomas	New Orleans Saints	Minnesota Vikings	Start
Danny Woodhead	San Diego Chargers	Buffalo Bills	Sit
Shonn Greene	Tennessee Titans	Cincinnati Bengals	Sit
Terrance West	Cleveland Browns	Baltimore Ravens	Sit
Darren Sproles	Philadelphia Eagles	Washington Redskins	Start

Analysis

C.J. Spiller

Could Spiller finally be healthy? It sure looked like it in Week 2 when he burned the Miami Dolphins for 69 yards on 12 carries—an average of 5.8 yards per rush—while adding a kick return for a touchdown. NFL on CBS tweeted a picture depicting Spiller's blazing speed:

San Diego is about average against the run this season—the Chargers are ranked 15th against the run and are allowing an average of 108.5 yards per game—so it should be safe to roll with Spiller here.

Stevan Ridley

Ridley may be one of the sneakiest plays in Week 3. He's had an up-and-down career; however, in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Bill Belichick and Co. stuck to the run. Ridley was the beneficiary, rushing 25 times for 101 yards and a score. Now, he moves on to face the Oakland Raiders—a team ranked dead last in the league against the run—on Sunday.

Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw

Richardson may top the Colts depth chart; although, he's not the running back you want to roll with on Sunday. Bradshaw proved his worth to the team against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, racking up 70 yards on 13 carries and adding five receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns.

Colts reporter Mike Chappell tweeted head coach Chuck Pagano's impression on the running back so far:

Bradshaw's versatility proved to be dangerous on the Colts offense, and he should benefit from facing a porous Jacksonville Jaguars defense much more than the plodding Richardson.

Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas

Both of these running backs are worthy of a start against the Vikings. Robinson will be carrying the bulk of the workload against a run defense that was torched by New England a week ago due to the absence of Mark Ingram. Rotoworld's Evan Silva and Marc Sessler of NFL.com gave their take on Robinson this week:

Thomas' workload will increase as well, as he'll receive a few extra touches while continuing to be the team's primary receiving threat out of the backfield.

Darren Sproles

Sproles is absolutely worth a start on Sunday after torching the Colts for 178 total yards and a touchdown in Week 2. He is an integral part of the Eagles offense and will receive enough touches going forward to become a viable spot starter. Philadelphia is set to face a Washington Redskins team that has been better than advertised against the run but may not have the personnel to cover Sproles in the flat.