Who Should I Start? Devin Neal or Phil Mafah
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 6.9 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
Devin Neal News
Thursday, July 16, 5:38 AM
A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal found himself starting games late in the year for an injury-stricken Saints squad before he himself was put on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury. Early in the offseason, there remained some hope that he could return to a fantasy-relevant role in his second season, but those hopes have since been all but dashed. The Saints spent big in free agency to acquire former first-round pick Travis Etienne Jr., and with veteran Alvin Kamara agreeing to a restructured deal to stick in New Orleans for at least one more season, few opportunities could remain for Neal, who will still need to beat out Kendre Miller and Audric Estime for the team's third running back spot. Ranked outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players, Neal is not a player who should factor into 2026 redraft plans, and outside of the deepest dynasty leagues, he is no longer a player who must be held through roster cuts.
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
Friday, July 17, 5:33 PM
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris lists Dallas Cowboys running backs Phil Mafah, Jaydon Blue, and Malik Davis as on the bubble heading into training camp this summer. Behind workhorse Javonte Williams, the Cowboys don't have a clear-cut favorite for the RB2 role, "which will create a fascinating battle in training camp and the preseason." The 23-year-old Mafah, who was a seventh-rounder last year out of Clemson, played in only one game and had five rushing attempts for 18 yards and a touchdown. He also caught both of his targets for 11 yards. He's fully healthy and looking to keep the momentum going after a strong offseason "in the eyes of his coaches." Harris writes that Blue has more natural ability than Mafah and Davis due to his explosive speed and receiving abilities, but he will have to win over the coaches after he showed immaturity as a rookie in 2025. Going into training camp, Mafah is only a hold in deep dynasty/keeper leagues as he battles for a depth role in Big D.
Devin Neal vs. Phil Mafah
Still trying to decide between Neal and Mafah? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Devin Neal is projected to score 1.5 points this week while Phil Mafah is projected to score 1.6 points.
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