Who Should I Start? Keaton Mitchell or Brashard Smith


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.0 27.8 0.2 1.1 8.3 0.1

Keaton Mitchell News

Keaton Mitchell's Week 1 Role Makes Him a Strong Stash

Monday, September 14, 11:52 AM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell didn't do much with his four carries in Sunday's 26-14 loss to Arizona, finishing with nine yards. His place in the backfield was more interesting than the production. Mitchell was the only Chargers running back besides Omarion Hampton to record a carry after entering Week 1 listed alongside Kimani Vidal for the backup job. The team's current depth chart now has Mitchell second and Vidal third. Hampton remains firmly in control after handling 12 carries and scoring a touchdown, so Mitchell isn't someone to put into fantasy lineups against Las Vegas this week. There is still plenty to like as a stash. Los Angeles signed Mitchell to a multi-year deal in March after he averaged 6.3 yards per carry over three seasons in Baltimore, and Week 1 offered an early indication that he may have the inside track on the No. 2 role. In 12-team leagues, Mitchell is worth grabbing now and keeping on the bench rather than waiting for his workload to grow.


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.6 4.8 0.0 0.6 3.8 0.0

Brashard Smith News

Brashard Smith Looks Like the Clear RB3 in Kansas City

Friday, September 18, 5:49 PM

A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith flashed upside as a receiver out of the backfield during his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old's 2026 debut was discouraging for fantasy managers, as Smith played exclusively on special teams in Kansas City's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. Chiefs RB1 Kenneth Walker turned in a dominant performance against Denver, and rookie running back Emmett Johnson appears to have established himself as the clear RB2 in Kansas City. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted just 27 passes in Week 1, so Smith may play a role in games where Kansas City is forced into more pass-heavy game scripts. Still, Smith seems unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production unless there's an injury to Walker or Johnson.


Keaton Mitchell vs. Brashard Smith

Still trying to decide between Mitchell and Smith? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Keaton Mitchell is projected to score 6.0 points this week while Brashard Smith is projected to score 1.6 points.