Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Malachi Fields


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.9 0.2 0.0 2.5 32.2 0.2

Brandon Aiyuk News

Nothing has Changed with Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

Monday, August 31, 3:40 PM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed on Monday that nothing has changed with the situation regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who remains on the left-squad list after roster cutdown day on Sunday, according to Matt Lively of CBS Sports. The 28-year-old former first-rounder has been off the team's roster since the start of training camp at the end of July. A season-ending knee injury in 2024 and off-the-field issues have forced the Niners to move on from Aiyuk, who went on a social-media rant against the organization this offseason, in turn scaring away potential suitors if/when the 49ers ever outright release him. The 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract in August of 2024 before he proceeded to catch just 25 passes for 374 yards and zero touchdowns before tearing his ACL and MCL in his right knee in Week 7. Aiyuk did not play at all in 2025, and the chances of him re-emerging as a fantasy football asset in 2026 are drying up with each passing day. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not be drafting Aiyuk.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.5 0.1 0.0 1.3 15.8 0.1

Malachi Fields News

Malachi Fields Projected to Open Season as Giants' WR2

Friday, August 28, 7:43 AM

New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields is projected to open the season as the team's No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers, according to ESPN. New York traded back into the third round to take Fields 74th overall, and the rookie has spent the summer showing why the Giants were willing to move up for him. His size, physicality and ability to win contested catches have all translated, while his blocking has helped his case for regular snaps. Fields caught 36 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns at Notre Dame last season. He also made an immediate impression in the preseason opener, catching all three of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. The Giants' current unofficial depth chart still lists Darius Slayton with the first group, so Fields has not officially been named a starter. ESPN's projection is another sign, though, that the rookie has pushed himself into a significant role heading into Week 1.


Brandon Aiyuk vs. Malachi Fields

Still trying to decide between Aiyuk and Fields? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brandon Aiyuk is projected to score 6.9 points this week while Malachi Fields is projected to score 3.5 points.