Who Should I Start? Emanuel Wilson or Devin Neal

Friday, February 27, 3:18 PM

The Green Bay Packers are not placing a tender on impending free-agent running back Emanuel Wilson, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Wilson will hit the free-agent market this offseason after carrying the ball a career-high 125 times for 496 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He added a career-best 15 catches on 17 targets for 99 yards and no touchdowns through the air in his third year in the NFL. It remains to be seen if the Packers have any interest in bringing Wilson back as the backup to starter Josh Jacobs. The 26-year-old filled in nicely as a plug-and-play RB2 in fantasy lineups last year in the two games that Jacobs missed due to injury, but outside of that, he was merely a handcuff for Jacobs. Wilson will likely operate as a backup somewhere else if he leaves in free agency. In his three seasons in Green Bay, he's averaged a healthy 4.5 yards per carry for 1,083 yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 242 carries.

Friday, February 13, 8:34 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (hamstring) was taking on a large role as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. Neal had 246 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns over his final four games, ranking as the overall RB23 in full-PPR leagues during that span. The dynamic in New Orleans right now is very interesting. On one hand, the Saints have a somewhat crowded backfield with Neal, Alvin Kamara, and Kendre Miller (knee). On the other hand, the competition for the lead-back role is wide open. Neal, of course, peaked at 20 touches in a single game last year and is coming back from injury. Miller is also returning from an injury and has struggled to break out through three years in the league. Finally, Kamara is a former superstar but is likely in the final stages of his career after posting new career lows in yards per carry (3.6) and receptions (33). As a result, it seems like there's a real path for Neal to produce in 2026, assuming the Saints don't bring in top-tier running back talent via free agency, trade, or the draft. He's a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason.