Who Should I Start? D.J. Chark or Chase Claypool

Thursday, May 2, 10:53 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a one-year, $5 million contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chark reportedly visited with the Chargers prior to last week's NFL Draft. He could play a key role in Los Angeles after the team parted with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason. Right now, their current depth chart is headlined by Chark, Quentin Johnston, and Joshua Palmer, as well as up-and-coming rookies Ladd McConkey and Brenden Rice. Chark spent last season with the Carolina Panthers, catching 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns over the course of 15 games. While the Chargers lack a true alpha receiver at the moment, they have plenty of raw talent at the position, which could make it difficult for Chark to carve out a role. For now, fantasy managers should monitor his performance throughout training camp before they consider selecting him in drafts later this summer.

Monday, May 27, 5:04 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chase Claypool has seen his stock steadily decline since his 11-touchdown rookie season in 2020 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, he caught just eight passes for 77 yards. He signed with the Bills on a one-year, $1.1 million deal this offseason, giving him another chance to revive his career. So far at Bills' OTAs, he's making a good impression. "Very impressed with Chase. Really just starting with his approach, here's a veteran receiver, former high pick, that has been on a journey, right, through the course of recently in his career," head coach Sean McDermott said. "I applaud Chase for coming here to see where things go. And so he's very focused, he's working extremely hard day in and day out." The former Notre Dame wideout has an uphill battle to re-enter the fantasy radar in 2024, but a wide receiver group consisting of Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and rookie Keon Coleman isn't the most daunting group to compete with. Still, he's likely to be a non-factor if he makes the team's 53-man roster, barring a surprise.