Who Should I Start? Calvin Austin III or Malachi Fields
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 12.1 | 0.1 |
Calvin Austin III News
Friday, August 7, 8:11 AM
The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that although New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III's strong spring hasn't carried over to the start of training camp this summer, he's "still the team's top slot option." With that said, the slot role in New York isn't expected to be featured as much in new head coach John Harbaugh's offense as it was when Wan'Dale Robinson was racking up targets at will the last two seasons. Austin is going to have a role, sponging up the short targets in the passing game that Robinson once received. The 27-year-old, who stands at just 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, failed to take advantage of extra opportunities with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, with just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played in his third year in the NFL. Austin could have more of a role early on with the Giants this year if Malik Nabers (knee) isn't all the way back from his torn ACL, but every week, Austin's role in the offense is unlikely to yield enough targets to make him a worthy target in fantasy drafts in 12-team leagues.
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
Thursday, August 20, 6:59 PM
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields impressed in Thursday's joint practice session with the Miami Dolphins and "continues to put together his case for the (team's) No. 2 receiver role," per Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. The 74th overall pick in this past April's draft, Fields recorded 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games at Notre Dame in 2025. Once healthy, New York has a clear WR1 in star wideout Malik Nabers (knee). However, Nabers' status for Week 1 remains uncertain as he works his way back from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Outside of Nabers, Fields' competition for targets and playing time in New York is an uninspiring group of veterans that includes Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Darius Slayton, Braxton Berrios, and Odell Beckham Jr. If the rookie can continue to impress throughout the remainder of the preseason, he could be in line for a significant role in the Giants' offense right away. Fantasy managers may want to consider targeting Fields as a late-round sleeper entering 2026.
Calvin Austin III vs. Malachi Fields
Still trying to decide between Austin III and Fields? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Calvin Austin III is projected to score 2.7 points this week while Malachi Fields is projected to score 3.5 points.
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