Who Should I Start? DeMario Douglas or Malachi Fields


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.2 1.3 0.0 1.1 14.0 0.1

DeMario Douglas News

DeMario Douglas "Has Become Nearly Automatic" Against Man Coverage

Saturday, August 29, 6:59 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas has the type of can't-cover-in-a-phonebooth shiftiness that has allowed him to thrive in each of his four training camps since being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has never had the level of surrounding talent he now finds himself with, and Patriots senior reporter Evan Lazar believes his skill set makes a ton of sense for a featured role out of the slot. Douglas has been a mainstay in three-receiver sets throughout camp, and Lazar notes that he has been "nearly automatic" against man coverage. He caught only 31 passes for 447 yards in 2025, but with Stefon Diggs no longer on the roster, the 25-year-old profiles as the team's most prototypical slot receiver, and he could find important chain-moving work in what again projects to be one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. At RotoBaller's WR99, he is not a player likely to be drafted in most 2026 leagues, but with the Patriots opening the NFL season in primetime with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks, a strong start to his season could make Douglas a popular Week 2 waiver wire pickup.


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.


DeMario Douglas vs. Malachi Fields

Still trying to decide between Douglas and Fields? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that DeMario Douglas is projected to score 3.2 points this week while Malachi Fields is projected to score 3.5 points.