Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Tetairoa McMillan


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.5 4.5 0.0 3.4 40.2 0.2

Deebo Samuel Sr. News

Deebo Samuel Sr. Catches TD In Reunion With 49ers

Thursday, September 10, 11:30 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was productive in his first game back with the team in their season opener against the Rams despite his limited role. Samuel entered the game from the bench and finished with six catches for 48 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. The versatile veteran also handled one carry for 12 rushing yards and two kickoffs for 74 return yards. Samuel ranked third in snap share among the 49ers' wide receivers behind Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson, and likely would have finished behind De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) had the rookie not exited the game due to an injury in the second quarter. The vague receiver roles and frequent rotations make it hard to predict how and when Samuel will be used, but if Stribling misses time, he should see greater involvement. Samuel might be a flex play in Week 2, when the 49ers face off against the Miami Dolphins.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
14.8 0.2 0.0 4.8 71.8 0.5

Tetairoa McMillan News

Tetairoa McMillan Set for More Versatile Usage in 2026?

Saturday, September 5, 7:41 AM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more usage out of the slot in 2026, speculates ESPN's Mike Kaye. McMillan was used almost exclusively as an outside receiver as a rookie in 2025 and had plenty of success, recording 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 games. However, Kaye writes that the Panthers have spoken about wanting to use McMillan's size and strength to get him more targets in the middle of the field in his second season. McMillan already projects to be the dominant target-earner in Carolina's offense, as he finished with nearly 60 more targets than any other Panthers pass-catcher in 2025. If he does indeed see more slot usage and an even larger target share in 2026, McMillan could emerge as a fantasy WR1.


Deebo Samuel Sr. vs. Tetairoa McMillan

Still trying to decide between Samuel Sr. and McMillan? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Deebo Samuel Sr. is projected to score 9.5 points this week while Tetairoa McMillan is projected to score 14.8 points.