Start Rhamondre Stevenson over Woody Marks — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Stevenson's workhorse role clears Marks' committee split

Stevenson is the clear lead back in New England, and his 59% snap share reflects a role that doesn't need to share early-down work the way Woody Marks does behind David Montgomery in Houston. The tougher matchup on paper is real but shouldn't scare you off a back who touches the ball this often — volume is the more durable signal than a single-week DvP number built on no sample. Marks' modestly higher implied total doesn't move the needle much since he's not the one soaking up goal-line or passing-down work in that offense. This isn't a blowout projection gap, but the roles behind it aren't close.

What flips it: A Montgomery injury or a clear shift toward Marks as Houston's early-down back.

AI editor

Rhamondre Stevenson

RB27NEvs SEA

8.09.210.5 Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Woody Marks

RB44HOUvs BUF

6.87.58.3 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Rhamondre Stevenson

Toss-Up· medium

RB1 and lead back. Physical between-the-tackles runner with reliable receiving-game involvement.

RB27 at 10.5 projected with a 59% snap share, but a top-third-toughest matchup (12 of 32) and a 20.5 implied total cap the ceiling.

Lead-back volume with real receiving-game involvement gives him a weekly floor a committee back can't match.
Even in a tougher matchup, his snap share means he's on the field for the plays that matter most.

The call

Volume is real — 59% snap share over 14 games as the listed RB means he'll get his touches regardless of script, which is the floor case for a flex play.
The matchup cuts against him: Seattle grades 12 of 32 in DvP composite (32 = softest), so this is a top-third-tough run funnel, and a 20.5 implied total with New England a 3.5-point underdog trims the touchdown equity.
A 9% target share means he's not a PPR-safe pass-game outlet, so if the run lanes close there's no receiving floor to bail out the box score.
Tip it toward start if you're thin at RB and need the 12-plus touch floor; sit him for any back with a softer matchup or a real passing-game role.

Why Woody Marks

Toss-Up

RB2 behind David Montgomery. Between-the-tackles committee back who carried 196 times for 703 yards as a rookie with light pass-game usage.

Toss-up — RB44 consensus, projects RB43 this week: 7% target share in 2025, 8.3 PPR projected vs BUF.

A higher implied team total and a softer matchup on paper still make him a viable streaming option.
Some touchdown equity remains if Houston leans on him in a plus game script.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Rhamondre Stevenson	Woody Marks
Projected points	8.09.210.5	6.87.58.3
Consensus rank	RB27	RB44
Opponent vs position	SEA · 12 of 320-game sample	BUF · 20 of 320-game sample
Rushing Yards	3 of 32	27 of 32
Rushing TDs	1 of 32	32 of 32
Rushing Attempts	9 of 32	16 of 32
Receptions	32 of 32	10 of 32
Receiving Yards	27 of 32	6 of 32
Anytime TD	1 of 32	26 of 32
Target share	9%(2025)	7%(2025)
Reception share	11%(2025)	7%(2025)
Implied total · spread	20.5+3.5	22.0+1.5
Depth chart	RB1	RB2
Snap share	59%(2025)	52%(2025)
Start/Sit record	0–0+1 toss-up	—