Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Skyler Bell


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.2 0.4 0.0 0.4 5.5 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 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.6 0.2 0.0 1.3 16.1 0.1

Skyler Bell News

Skyler Bell Dealing With Groin Injury

Saturday, August 22, 8:50 AM

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia reports that Buffalo Bills rookie fourth-round wide receiver Skyler Bell (groin) has been dealing with a groin injury in training camp. Bell initially suffered the injury during practice at the team's new stadium on Aug. 8 and has not practiced since, although the 24-year-old from Connecticut was seen on Thursday doing drills with the training staff. He is hoping he will be cleared to play in the team's final preseason contest on Thursday, Aug. 27, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bell's time away from the team this summer will make it even more difficult for the rookie to make an immediate impact on a team that added receiver DJ Moore in the offseason. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore Bell for now, while he is a developmental stash in dynasty/keeper formats. In his fifth collegiate season for the Huskies in 2025, Bell put up some numbers, catching 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games played. Bell is primarily competing for playing time with Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Tyrell Shavers for a role behind Moore and Khalil Shakir.


Xavier Smith vs. Skyler Bell

Still trying to decide between Smith and Bell? 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 1.2 points this week while Skyler Bell is projected to score 3.6 points.