Who Should I Start? Phil Mafah or Raheim Sanders

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.

Thursday, August 28, 12:11 AM

The Cleveland Browns have claimed running back Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of South Carolina earlier this offseason. He was productive during the preseason, totaling 28 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Although he looked solid this summer, it wasn't enough for him to earn a roster spot over Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, or Hassan Haskins. He has a much more reasonable path to playing time with the Browns, who remain in a contract stalemate with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Sanders immediately slots in third on the Browns' depth chart behind Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson. He should be avoided in most redraft leagues, but he might be worth stashing in the deepest dynasty leagues given that he could see some opportunities out of the backfield this year.