Who Should I Start? Ty Chandler or Eli Heidenreich


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.8 6.0 0.1 0.6 3.0 0.0

Ty Chandler News

Saints Agree With Ty Chandler on Tuesday

Tuesday, March 17, 12:29 PM

The New Orleans Saints announced on Tuesday that they agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent running back Ty Chandler, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Saints added Travis Etienne Jr. to their backfield in free agency and could move on from veteran Alvin Kamara as a result. In the Big Easy, the 27-year-old Chandler will most likely be competing for backup duties with Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, and Audric Estime going into the 2026 season. The former fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 out of North Carolina was limited to only three games in 2025 due to injury, carrying the ball 17 times for 47 yards and catching three passes for 11 yards. Chandler's best season came in Year 2 in 2023, when he had 102 rushing attempts for 461 yards and three touchdowns, adding 21 receptions for another 159 yards in 17 games (four starts). With a likely limited role on offense with the Saints, Chandler is, at best, a dynasty/keeper stash for RB depth.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.6 5.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Eli Heidenreich News

Eli Heidenreich Looking Like RB Heading into Year 1

Saturday, June 27, 7:19 AM

Former Navy star Eli Heidenreich is listed as an RB/WR with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he was assigned a RB number (No. 29) and has been working with the RBs during individual drills and "overwhelmingly lined up" in the backfield during team drills during offseason workouts, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. RBs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. called Heidenreich the "Swiss Navy Knife," but how much the Steelers open up their playbook in 2026 under new head coach Mike McCarthy might ultimately determine whether the 22-year-old will have a shot to make the 53-man roster for the regular season. How well he performs in pass protection, something Heidenreich wasn't asked to do much in college, could determine his fate early in his rookie season. DeFabo thinks Heidenreich will need to play his way onto Pittsburgh's roster during training camp, and it might take an injury for that to happen. Most likely, the former Midshipman will start his NFL career on the Steelers' practice squad.


Ty Chandler vs. Eli Heidenreich

Still trying to decide between Chandler and Heidenreich? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Ty Chandler is projected to score 1.8 points this week while Eli Heidenreich is projected to score 0.6 points.