Fantasy Football 2023: Taylor or Swift?

Every week in this series, I’ll aim to give the fantasy football people what they clearly want – some Taylor Swift.

No, this is not a piece about Travis Kelce’s new boo. Instead, we’re going to focus on the debate we’ve all seen coming since the preseason: who will score more fantasy football points, Jonathan Taylor or D’Andre Swift?

Now, to be clear, the Swifties have dominated this contest since Opening Weekend. Even with Swift’s 1.3 PPR points in Week 1, it hasn’t been close. Unfortunately, Jonathan “Tay Tay” Taylor has been recovering from offseason ankle surgery up until now. But he’s been able to Shake It Off and removed off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Taylor can finally challenge Swift to see who reigns supreme. 

So, let’s have a look at their matchups and make some predictions ahead of week 5, assuming both suit up. What will happen in our Wildest Dreams? Let’s find out.

Jonathan Taylor

As late as this past July, some had JT.Swizzle ranked as their dynasty RB1. However, he no longer retains that lofty status; although he still retains the talent. Still, it remains to be seen if Taylor will play this coming weekend when the White Horses take on the Tennessee Titans in Indy this weekend. 

Tennessee has been quite the pass-funnel defense thus far, allowing the fewest rushing yards and most passing yards through the first month of the season per Pro Football Reference. That doesn’t bode well for Taylor’s prospects in this one. There’s also the Bad Blood between him and the Indianapolis Colts‘ front office to consider. A Taylor trade could be imminent.

If he does play, I think a split with current starting RB and bellcow Zack Moss is in order. Because of the likelihood of Shane Steichen and company slow playing him in his return to action and the tough matchup, I’ll forecast a modest fantasy football outing for Taylor this week.

JT’s bottom line: 12 rushes for 34 yards, 3 receptions for 15 yards, no touchdowns (7.9 PPR points)

D’Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions dealt D-Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles for relative peanuts (cashews?) this offseason. The uncertainty that surrounded him and his status in fantasy football was real. At the time, the Eagles had already signed Rashaad Penny, adding both to an already crowded RB room. But D’Andre the Anti-Hero swiftly beat out Penny,  Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott to earn RB1 duties by Week 2. And, since that time, he hasn’t been sharing well with the others. 

That’s right, Bangs McGee has finished as the PPR RB4, 15 and 12 over his past three contests, all while totalling less than a 75% snap share. His burst and efficiency have been on full display against tough fronts like those of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders. This genie will not be forced back into his bottle.

This week, Swift finds himself Out of the Woods and in Los Angeles to take on the Rams, a team with a middle-of-the-pack defense that has been better against the pass. D’Andre has been utilized heavily on the ground in Eagles kelly green so far. I expect him to post another borderline fantasy football RB1 week.

D’Andre’s bottom line: 18 rushes for 83 yards, 2 receptions for 12 yards, 1 touchdown (17.5 PPR points)