Who Should I Start? A.J. Brown or Ladd McConkey

Thursday, October 22, 8:58 AM

New England Patriots veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown returned from a high-ankle sprain that landed him on Injured Reserve in the Week 6 win over the division-rival New York Jets, but he struggled with drops and caught only three of his 10 targets for 27 yards in his second game with the Patriots. Brown also disappointed in his debut with New England in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when he caught three of his four targets for 26 yards before injuring his ankle. Thursday Night Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit thinks Brown is primed to bounce back to form on Thursday night against the hosting Chicago Bears in Week 7. "I would be shocked if AJ Brown doesn't play incredibly well tonight. He was getting back into rhythm last week coming back from injury," Herbstreit said on The Pat McAfee Show. Brown is a difference-maker when healthy, and quarterback Drake Maye is expected to try to get his WR1 the ball early and often on Thursday night. Fantasy managers should be starting Brown this week, even after his lackluster return from injury in Week 6. Do not forget that receiver Romeo Doubs (shoulder) is on IR and will miss the next four games, which will raise Brown's fantasy ceiling.