Start Samaje Perine over Najee Harris — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Start Perine — the projection and game script edges are too wide to ignore.

Samaje Perine projects 5.9 to Harris's 4.7 and plays in the better game script (27.0 implied team points to 23.5). Harris's edge is the consensus rank, RB51 to RB51. The gap is narrow.

Najee Harris

RB51NYGvs DAL

4.04.34.7 Projected Points

Sit

Samaje Perine

RB51CINvs TB

4.85.45.9 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Najee Harris

Sit

Veteran RB3 and short-yardage power back. Downhill one-cut runner in a reduced committee role.

Sit — RB51 consensus, projects RB56 this week: DAL is the 11th-softest matchup vs RBs, 3% target share in 2025.

DAL ranks 22 of 32 against RBs (one of the softer matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 23.5 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
Listed RB on the latest depth chart with a 22% snap share in 2025.

Why Samaje Perine

Toss-Up

Veteran backup RB and kick returner. Reliable pass protector and third-down receiving option.

Toss-up — RB51 consensus, projects RB52 this week: 27.0 implied team total, 4% target share in 2025.

TB ranks 13 of 32 against RBs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 27.0 team points as 3.5-point favorites.
Listed RB on the latest depth chart with a 35% snap share in 2025.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Najee Harris	Samaje Perine
Projected points	4.04.34.7	4.85.45.9
Consensus rank	RB51	RB51
Opponent vs position	DAL · 22 of 320-game sample	TB · 13 of 320-game sample
Rushing Yards	15 of 32	6 of 32
Rushing TDs	24 of 32	10 of 32
Rushing Attempts	8 of 32	2 of 32
Receptions	29 of 32	20 of 32
Receiving Yards	30 of 32	32 of 32
Anytime TD	26 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	3%(2025)	4%(2025)
Reception share	5%(2025)	5%(2025)
Implied total · spread	23.5+1.5	27.0-3.5
Depth chart	RB3	RB2
Snap share	22%(2025)	35%(2025)