Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Darius Slayton

Friday, December 26, 8:58 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards last week and is in line for an expanded role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. While the Steelers may choose to rest some starters if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Thielen should see the field as a necessary weapon with DK Metcalf beginning a two-game suspension. That said, the Browns have been stout against opposing wideouts all season, and Pittsburgh may not need to lean heavily on the passing game in this matchup. If the Ravens win on Saturday, Thielen could provide sneaky flex value in deeper fantasy formats, but the 35-year-old will be difficult to trust in most leagues.

Saturday, December 27, 12:09 PM

Across 13 games this season, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton has recorded 31 receptions for 468 yards and a touchdown on 51 targets. Slayton is coming off one of his worst games of 2025 in Week 16, hauling in just one catch for eight yards on two targets against the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 28-year-old is now facing a far easier matchup in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Entering the week, Las Vegas ranks 18th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.1). The Raiders have also ruled out star edge rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) with a knee injury, which should make life significantly easier on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Before his Week 16 dud, Slayton had recorded at least 9.3 PPR fantasy points in four out of his last five games. He profiles as a low-end deep-league flex option for fantasy managers in Week 17.