Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Keaton Mitchell


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 Offers Little Standalone Redraft Value

Sunday, August 9, 10:44 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine still has a clear job in this backfield, but most of his fantasy appeal starts with Chase Brown. Perine played 15 games last season and ran 84 times for 382 yards and three touchdowns, adding 17 catches for 87 yards. He flashed when Cincinnati gave him a little more room, ripping off 94 yards and a score on only nine carries against the Jets. The Bengals haven't forgotten that. Their own offseason preview has Perine set to lead the group behind Brown again in 2026. Brown, however, played all 17 games last year and topped 1,000 rushing yards, and Cincinnati expects him to remain the lead back. Perine was on the field for just over 31% of the offensive snaps in 2025. RotoBaller ranks him 196th overall and RB58. There is still a place for the 240-pound veteran on a fantasy bench, especially for Brown managers, but weekly value will be hard to find unless his workload grows.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.7 23.6 0.1 0.8 6.3 0.0

Keaton Mitchell News

Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal All in Chargers' Weekly Plans

Monday, August 10, 11:38 AM

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel does not sound interested in choosing just one backup behind Omarion Hampton. According to Alex Insdorf, McDaniel said he plans to use Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in every game. The team's first unofficial depth chart, released Sunday, still lists Hampton as the starter, with Mitchell or Vidal in the top backup spot. Hampton rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns in nine games as a rookie, while Vidal stepped in for 643 rushing yards and three scores. Mitchell brings a different element after averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts for Baltimore last season. McDaniel's comment should not be read as a three-way split, but it does make the backfield a little less clean for fantasy. Hampton remains the clear lead option, while Mitchell and Vidal both have paths to weekly touches. That makes the backup picture worth watching rather than assuming one of them will simply disappear.


Samaje Perine vs. Keaton Mitchell

Still trying to decide between Perine and Mitchell? 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 Keaton Mitchell is projected to score 4.7 points.