Who Should I Start? Isaiah Davis or Phil Mafah

Monday, August 25, 3:06 PM

New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (ankle) is on track to be available for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Davis carried the ball six times for 14 yards in the preseason opener but then sat out of the final two preseason contests due to an ankle injury. The 23-year-old should go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues, as he's expected to open the 2025 campaign as the No. 3 back behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. After he was taken with the 173rd overall pick in th fifth round in 2024 out of South Dakota State, Davis carried the ball 30 times for 174 yards (5.8 yards per tote) and one touchdown while catching nine passes for 75 yards and another score in 17 games in his rookie season. His physical running style should play well in this offense, but Davis likely needs an injury to Hall or Allen to become relevant.

Sunday, August 31, 4:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.