Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Phil Mafah

Tuesday, December 30, 2:11 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has finished as a low-end RB2 in each of the past two weeks without cracking a 40% snap share. If the Bengals opt to rest or limit their starters, including the surging Chase Brown, Perine could be in line for a solid workload in a Week 18 matchup against the Browns with nothing but divisional pride on the line. Even if Perine maintains only his usual change of pace and mop-up duties, he has enough of a floor to keep him in consideration for a flex role against a Cleveland defense that just allowed 131 yards on the ground to a Steelers offense with no threat of a passing attack. Readily available on most waiver wires, Perine should be a top priority in any league with a Week 18 title game.

Monday, January 5, 11:00 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah got his first taste of NFL action in Week 18 against the New York Giants and finished the game with 29 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on seven touches. A seventh-round pick out of Clemson in the 2025 NFL draft, Mafah spent most of his rookie season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. He got his chance to make an impression in Week 18 due to injuries to Cowboys running backs Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and Malik Davis (calf, eye). Heading into 2026, the Cowboys' running back room is in flux. Williams was the team's clear RB1 throughout the 2025 season, but he will hit free agency and is uncertain to be retained. Davis is also a free agent, though Dallas holds his restricted free agent rights. Depending on how the Cowboys choose to address the running back position this offseason, Mafah could find himself battling with 2025 fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue for a role in the Dallas backfield.