Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Kimani Vidal


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
15.8 78.6 0.5 2.5 19.9 0.1

Saquon Barkley News

Saquon Barkley Could Have His Load Managed This Season

Friday, July 31, 5:14 AM

Through the early days of training camp, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has worked in close to a 50/50 split with fourth-year back Tank Bigsby, with the latter drawing rave reviews from the local beat in his first offseason with the team. While Bigsby's involvement could be viewed as planned load management to keep the team's three-time Pro Bowler fresh through the summer after handling more than 800 touches across his first two campaigns with the team, Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks speculated on his Go Birds! podcast about whether Bigsby's increased involvement could stretch into the regular season. With Bigsby arriving in Philadelphia via a mid-season trade, his 2025 involvement was limited primarily to special teams, but as his offensive opportunities grew throughout the year, he took advantage, averaging nearly six yards per carry and looking decisive and explosive behind the same banged-up offensive line that was frequently pointed to as a reason Barkley was incapable of matching some of his previous-season highs. Barkley ran for only 1.6 yards after contact per carry last season, with Bigsby's number more than a full yard higher at 2.8 YPA, while his 10 broken tackles came on only 58 carries to Barkley's 18 broken tackles on 280 attempts. Barkley is RotoBaller's RB6 for 2026, but without the volume that fantasy managers are used to seeing, he could struggle to live up to ADP expectations.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.3 13.5 0.1 0.7 5.9 0.0

Kimani Vidal News

Kimani Vidal Still a Factor in Chargers Crowded Running Back Room

Friday, August 7, 7:49 PM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is competing for touches in a crowded backfield. Vidal had a career year in 2025, posting 779 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 171 total attempts, doing most of his work while both Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles) were out. Now that former first-round pick Hampton is back and Keaton Mitchell has been added, Vidal is still fighting for his role in Los Angeles. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said the group of Hampton, Mitchell, and Vidal is "as deep and complementary a group that [he's] been around." Ranked RB73 by RotoBaller, Vidal is an option if Hampton or Mitchell were to struggle or miss time during the 2026 season.


Saquon Barkley vs. Kimani Vidal

Still trying to decide between Barkley and Vidal? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Saquon Barkley is projected to score 15.8 points this week while Kimani Vidal is projected to score 3.3 points.