Who Should I Start? Phil Mafah or Riley Nowakowski

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
1.6 7.8 0.1 0.3 2.2 0.0

Phil Mafah News

Phil Mafah Exits Preseason Opener with a Chest Injury

Sunday, August 16, 6:49 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (chest) exited Saturday night's preseason opener against the Seahawks with a chest injury and did not return. A seventh-round pick in 2025, Mafah earned only seven total opportunities as a rookie, but with the team's primary backup job up for grabs behind locked-in starter Javonte Williams, he has been part of a training camp battle that includes fellow second-year player Jaydon Blue and veteran Malik Davis. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated after the game that the injury did not appear to be overly serious. Still, Mafah's status bears watching in the lead-up to the regular season. While the second running back spot in Dallas holds almost no standalone value, whoever earns the role will become an important handcuff to Williams.

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
1.2 0.0 0.0 0.6 5.3 0.0

Riley Nowakowski News

Steelers Select Riley Nowakowski at No. 169 Overall

Saturday, April 25, 11:23 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Indiana tight end prospect Riley Nowakowski with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Nowakowski caught 32 passes for 387 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the Hoosiers' national championship-winning offense last year. He also got involved as a fullback, scoring two rushing touchdowns. We could see him take on a similar hybrid fullback/tight end role in Pittsburgh, serving as the team's replacement for Connor Heyward, who signed with the Raiders this offseason. Assuming that's the case, Nowakowski doesn't have a clear path to fantasy relevance. He can be avoided in most fantasy football drafts.

Phil Mafah vs. Riley Nowakowski

Still trying to decide between Mafah and Nowakowski? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Phil Mafah is projected to score 1.6 points this week while Riley Nowakowski is projected to score 1.2 points.