Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Jordan Mason


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

Samaje Perine an Underrated Insurance Back in 2026

Saturday, July 25, 5:54 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine will turn 31 years old in September, but he has shown few signs of slowing down. In his return to the Bengals in 2025, he carried the ball 84 times, his most attempts since 2022, and while maintaining a 4.5-yard per carry average, he scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns. Fourth-year player Chase Brown has developed into a true bell cow back, averaging more than 19.6 opportunities per game across his last 30 outings, making Perine's insurance role behind him a potentially important one for fantasy. Rounding out the Bengals' backfield is 2025 sixth-round pick Tahj Brooks, and there's an expectation that should Brown miss time, the second-year player could help to lighten the load rather than turning full control over to Perine. Still, the 10th-year veteran remains an underrated handcuff option and one that would undoubtedly garner attention on the waiver wire in the unfortunate event of injury.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.9 44.4 0.3 0.9 5.3 0.0

Jordan Mason News

Jordan Mason May Be Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP

Thursday, July 23, 9:29 AM

Across 16 games (five starts) in 2025, Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason recorded 809 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 173 touches. The 27-year-old's fantasy upside in PPR scoring formats is limited by his lack of pass-game involvement, as he's recorded just 28 catches across 61 career NFL games. Mason is also likely to split reps for the second straight season in 2026 with veteran Vikings back Aaron Jones Sr. However, Jones Sr. is entering his age-32 campaign and has missed at least five games in two out of the last three years. At this point in their respective careers, Mason profiles as the better between-the-tackles rusher and could take over as Minnesota's primary early-down back. The overall health of the Vikings offense should be improved this year as well, as the team added veteran quarterback Kyler Murray over the offseason. At his current redraft ADP of RB43, Mason could be a value pick for fantasy managers.


Samaje Perine vs. Jordan Mason

Still trying to decide between Perine and Mason? 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 Jordan Mason is projected to score 7.9 points.