Who Should I Start? Connor Heyward or Phil Mafah


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.4 1.0 0.0 0.5 3.6 0.1

Connor Heyward News

Raiders Sign Fullback Connor Heyward

Thursday, March 12, 3:26 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed fullback Connor Heyward to a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The contract includes $2 million fully guaranteed. Heyward hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's scored a touchdown in three of his four pro seasons, and he posted a respectable 449 scrimmage yards during his time in the black and gold. Of course, handling the football is just a minor component of his role as a fullback. He's far more involved as a blocker, creating opportunities for the quarterback or running backs. He'll now take his talents to Las Vegas, where he'll be tasked with blocking for a young offense that features Ashton Jeanty and will also likely include projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.6 7.8 0.1 0.3 2.2 0.0

Phil Mafah News

Phil Mafah Exits Preseason Opener with a Chest Injury

Sunday, August 16, 6:49 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (chest) exited Saturday night's preseason opener against the Seahawks with a chest injury and did not return. A seventh-round pick in 2025, Mafah earned only seven total opportunities as a rookie, but with the team's primary backup job up for grabs behind locked-in starter Javonte Williams, he has been part of a training camp battle that includes fellow second-year player Jaydon Blue and veteran Malik Davis. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated after the game that the injury did not appear to be overly serious. Still, Mafah's status bears watching in the lead-up to the regular season. While the second running back spot in Dallas holds almost no standalone value, whoever earns the role will become an important handcuff to Williams.


Connor Heyward vs. Phil Mafah

Still trying to decide between Heyward and Mafah? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Connor Heyward is projected to score 1.4 points this week while Phil Mafah is projected to score 1.6 points.