Who Should I Start? Malachi Fields or Zachariah Branch

START

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
6.2 0.2 0.0 2.3 29.3 0.2

Malachi Fields News

Malachi Fields a Deep-League Stash Option After Heavy Week 1 Snap Share

Monday, September 14, 12:38 PM

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields did not have a huge statistical day in his team's Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, recording two catches for 25 yards on four targets. However, the 23-year-old was on the field for 72% of his team's offensive snaps, by far the most of any Giants wide receiver. New York has a clear WR1 in Malik Nabers, who played just 52% of the snaps in his first game back from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Still, if Fields can secure the WR2 spot in New York, he could eventually see consistent target volume on a week-to-week basis. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 79.3% of his pass attempts for 230 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, which should give fantasy managers some added faith in the overall health of the team's passing game. Given his season-long upside, Fields profiles as a worthy stash candidate in deeper league formats coming out of Week 1.

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
2.6 0.3 0.0 1.1 11.7 0.1

Zachariah Branch News

Zachariah Branch Not Projected to Start Early in Rookie Season

Friday, September 11, 7:05 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch is not listed as a projected starter on the team's initial depth chart, dropping him off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues. As a third-round rookie, we shouldn't be completely shocked that Branch won't get the start in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, if there were any receiver room where he could make that leap, this would be the one. There are plenty of targets up for grabs behind No. 1 receiver Drake London. While Branch, a Georgia product, spent this summer competing for that No. 2 role, it ended up going to veteran Olamide Zaccheaus. Meanwhile, Jahan Doston projects as the third receiver on the depth chart, leaving Branch buried all the way down in the No. 4 role. This offense has so much uncertainty at the quarterback position that it's hard to envision Branch getting onto the redraft radar at any point during his rookie season. In the meantime, he's expected to operate as the Falcons' punt returner.

Malachi Fields vs. Zachariah Branch

Still trying to decide between Fields and Branch? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Malachi Fields is projected to score 6.2 points this week while Zachariah Branch is projected to score 2.6 points.