Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or James Conner
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | 21.5 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 7.8 | 0.0 |
Samaje Perine News
Friday, July 10, 7:02 AM
Across 15 games in 2025, Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 101 touches. As he enters his age-31 season, Perine has established himself as a reliable third-down back who can also handle RB2 duties as a rusher. Entering 2026, Perine profiles as the clear backup in Cincinnati behind star Bengals running back Chase Brown. As long as Brown stays healthy, Perine's fantasy appeal is limited. Brown is entering his age-26 season and has largely avoided injury to this point in his career. Still, Brown has played in 33 games and amassed 584 touches over the past two seasons. If he goes down, Perine has a three-down skill set and could take over as the primary back in Cincinnati. At his current redraft ADP of RB75, Perine's handcuff appeal may be undervalued ahead of 2026.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 | 10.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 6.5 | 0.0 |
James Conner News
Monday, July 20, 9:17 AM
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is no longer the engine of this backfield, but that does not make him useless to a contender. His 2025 season lasted only three games before a right foot injury required surgery. The 6-foot-1, 233-pound veteran finished with 32 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown, along with eight catches for 38 yards and another score. The last healthy sample was much more encouraging. Conner handled 283 touches for 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. Arizona kept him on a revised contract for the final year of his deal, then signed Tyler Allgeier and drafted Jeremiyah Love third overall. Love is expected to take over the lead role, and Allgeier saw plenty of first-team work during the spring. Conner should be healthy for training camp, but at 31, he is headed for a complementary role. RotoBaller ranks him as the dynasty RB61. Rebuilders should take a reasonable return instead of carrying him through another value drop. Contenders can hold. Conner has enough receiving ability and scoring history to matter if more work opens during the season.
Samaje Perine vs. James Conner
Still trying to decide between Perine and Conner? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Samaje Perine is projected to score 5.3 points this week while James Conner is projected to score 3.4 points.
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