Devin Neal or D'Andre Swift: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 13, 2025 season)

When you're facing a tough start/sit decision on your fantasy football team, you may end up having to choose between Devin Neal or D'Andre Swift. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.

Have a start/sit dilemma that needs answering? Each week during the 2025 NFL season, we'll be going LIVE on YouTube to discuss your start/sit questions. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that notification bell so you don't miss out!

Game Scripts

The Saints are entering this game as uncomfortable 6-point road underdogs with a dangerously low projected team total of 17.75 points, the 6th fewest among all 32 teams on the week 13 slate. The uncomfortable spread suggests a potentially pass-heavy approach while the dangerously low projected team total suggests touchdown opportunities will be severely limited.

The Bears are entering this game as uncomfortable 7-point road underdogs with a low projected team total of 18.75 points, the 9th fewest among all 32 teams on the week 13 slate. The uncomfortable spread suggests a potentially pass-heavy approach while the low projected team total suggests touchdown opportunities will be limited. I try to keep opinion out of this section but, candidly, I was shocked to see Chicago's projection so low. Averaging 26.3 points-per-game this season, I like Chicago's chances of pushing the over on this game.

Positional Matchups

After 11 games, the Dolphins present a mediocre matchup for RBs, holding them to the 10th fewest touchdowns and 16th fewest PPR points per touch (0.85) but allowing the 4th most rushing yards, 8th most catches, 6th most receiving yards, and 10th most PPR points per game. 9 RBs in 11 games have scored 10+ PPR points against the Dolphins.

After 11 games, the Eagles present a mediocre matchup for RBs, holding them to the 15th fewest rushing yards and 10th fewest catches but allowing the 4th most receiving yards, 11th most touchdowns, 15th most PPR points per game and 12th most PPR points per touch (0.90). 10 RBs in 11 games have scored 10+ PPR points against the Eagles.

Devin Neal: Rookie Profile & Bottom Line

Here's what I wrote about Neal in my 2025 Rookie Rundown: "Devin Neal is a patient, downhill runner with an NFL-ready build (5’11”, 213). In his film study, John Chapman praises Neal's vision, power, and balance, noting his ability to break arm tackles and contribute as a receiver if needed (in fact, Neal has one of the best receiving profiles in this year's RB class). He isn’t flashy — lacking elite speed or burst (4.58 forty, low acceleration traits) — but is reliable, experienced (over 2,000 snaps), and delivers consistent production​."

I expect Devin Neal to finish, on average, around 11–15 PPR points on ~13–17 touches (~55–75 scrimmage yards), ~4–6 catches, and limited TD odds in a pass-heavy script that should keep his receiving role secure even as a 6-point road dog. He's immediately on the radar as a plug-and-play RB 3/flex in this mediocre matchup. The pass-heavy environment is concerning on the surface, but Neal flashed in the passing game last week catching 5 of 7 targets, suggesting he'll stay involved even if the Saints fall behind.

D'Andre Swift: Bottom Line

I expect D'Andre Swift to finish, on average, around ~12–16 PPR points on ~13–17 touches, including ~3–5 catches on ~4–6 targets, ~70–90 scrimmage yards, and 0–1 touchdowns in what likely becomes a pass-heavy game script where Swift’s receiving role keeps him ahead of Kyle Monangai. He's been a high-mid-range RB 2 up to this point but is perhaps better approached as a low end RB 2/high end RB 3 with role risk and a pass-heavy game script.

Should you start Devin Neal or D'Andre Swift?

Both of these backs have risks associated with them, but even in a PPR setting, it appears to me that D'Andre Swift still has the better setup here - and the clearer path to a ceiling outcome, too.

Week Winners + Discord = Winning your league in 2025

Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.

Sign up to Basement Brewed Fantasy Football today and start making smarter lineup decisions that can dominate through the 2025 NFL season.