Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Jameson Williams

Monday, January 6, 3:37 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said that he will go through his normal process and evaluate whether he wants to continue his playing career this offseason. Thielen said he's leaning in a certain direction, "but I'm not going to tell you what that is." If the Panthers choose to do so, they can cut the 34-year-old with only a $5 million dead salary cap hit to get out of the final year of his deal. He missed time in 2024 due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve, but Thielen was productive when healthy as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target, catching 48 passes on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts. Staying in Carolina is the likely outcome if Thielen chooses to play another season. His chemistry with Young would give him a solid fantasy floor as a flex, depending on what the rest of the WR room looks like in 2025.

Sunday, January 19, 12:19 AM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught just one of his four targets for 19 receiving yards during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. However, he salvaged his fantasy performance with a 61-yard rushing touchdown on a trick play. Unfortunately, not all of Williams' trickery resulted in successful plays. He also attempted a pass in the contest and was ultimately intercepted. All in all, the speedy receiver's fantasy value was salvaged by the trick-play touchdown, which is a reflection of the explosiveness he showed during the season. He has a high ceiling and low floor in fantasy football, making him an appealing WR3/FLEX option with weekly WR1 upside. He actually came close to notching a second big touchdown on Saturday, but he wasn't quite able to haul in an overthrown pass from Jared Goff. Williams should remain the Lions' No. 2 receiver alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025.