Who Should I Start? Emanuel Wilson or Brashard Smith


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.0 15.2 0.1 0.5 3.8 0.0

Emanuel Wilson News

Emanuel Wilson Dealing with Hamstring Injury

Sunday, August 16, 5:18 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (hamstring) did not play in the team's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. His absence was likely caused by a hamstring injury that he suffered in a scrimmage during practice on Tuesday. The good news is that head coach Mike Macdonald said Wilson's injury "is a short-term thing," so we should see him back on the field relatively soon. Prior to the hamstring ailment, the 27-year-old had been running with the first-team offense. Zach Charbonnet (knee) continues to recover from an ACL tear, so Wilson projects to start at running back when the Seahawks take the field in Week 1 of the regular season against the New England Patriots. As long as Charbonnet is sidelined, Wilson ranks as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 in fantasy football.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.4 5.1 0.0 0.9 6.2 0.0

Brashard Smith News

Brashard Smith Outshined in Preseason Opener

Sunday, August 16, 6:02 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith drew the start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams, but in his battle to earn the primary backup role behind Kenneth Walker III, the points in his favor end right about there. Smith carried the ball eight times for 21 yards and brought in both of his targets for an additional 12 yards, but he was outshined by rookie Emmett Johnson, who looked explosive in gaining 59 yards on his 12 carries. Johnson also added three catches for ten yards and ran in a four-yard touchdown that was nullified by a holding penalty. As a rookie in 2025, Smith was unable to carve out a meaningful role in a backfield led by Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, finishing the year with 323 yards and one touchdown on 79 total opportunities. With a significantly higher talent level in the room for 2026, he could struggle to find regular work and is not likely to make any fantasy impact without a notable injury ahead of him.


Emanuel Wilson vs. Brashard Smith

Still trying to decide between Wilson and Smith? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Emanuel Wilson is projected to score 3.0 points this week while Brashard Smith is projected to score 2.4 points.