Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Darius Cooper


Week 9 Projections

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

Xavier Smith News

Rams Tender Contracts to Harrison Mevis, Xavier Smith

Monday, March 2, 5:18 PM

The Los Angeles Rams announced on Monday that they tendered exclusive-rights free-agent kicker Harrison Mevis and wide receiver Xavier Smith. Neither Mevis nor Smith will be allowed to negotiate with other teams this offseason. Mevis, 23, made his NFL debut last year and was impressive, making 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts (made his lone try from 50-plus yards) and all 39 of his extra-point tries in nine regular-season games. He finished the year ranked as the No. 8 fantasy kicker in terms of fantasy points per game at 8.3. In the playoffs, Mevis was a perfect 15-for-15 on field goals (six) and extra-point tries. The former undrafted kicker out of Missouri should enter the 2026 season as the favorite to be L.A.'s starting kicker, which will make him pretty attractive in fantasy football in one of the league's highest-scoring offenses.


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.9 0.0 0.0 1.6 21.4 0.2

Darius Cooper News

Darius Cooper Remains a Featured Receiver in Eagles' Injury-Riddled Offense

Tuesday, November 3, 8:33 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper has been thrust into a larger role recently, as injuries continue to impact players on both sides of the ball. Cooper has now played more than 90% of the snaps in each of the last two weeks due to injuries to DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle). Cooper has just three catches during that span, but he also has nine targets, suggesting that he could be a deep-league fantasy starter if quarterback Tanner McKee can do a better job leading the passing attack. The second-year receiver has consistently operated alongside rookie Makai Lemon, who also has a 90%+ snap share in each of his last two games. Once Smith and Wicks are healthy again, we'd expect Cooper to fall off the fantasy radar. However, in the meantime, he can unlock deep-league streaming appeal if the passing game shows a little more effectiveness in Week 9 against the New York Giants.


Xavier Smith vs. Darius Cooper

Still trying to decide between Smith and Cooper? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Xavier Smith is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Darius Cooper is projected to score 4.9 points.