Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Jayden Higgins

Monday, December 29, 10:11 PM

Across four games since signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has recorded eight receptions for 74 yards on 11 targets. While the 35-year-old's overall numbers are modest, he has seen an uptick in usage lately. With Steelers wideouts DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin III (hamstring) sidelined in Week 17, Thielen earned five targets in the team's 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Thielen also played 86% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, most among Pittsburgh wide receivers. Austin III has a chance to return for the team's Week 18 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but Metcalf will remain on the shelf. In PPR fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Thielen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.

Tuesday, January 13, 11:45 AM

Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins caught three of his four targets for 39 yards in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers. Higgins finished second on the team in receiving yards behind Christian Kirk's 144. It was a bit of a disappointing showing for the 23-year-old rookie after top wideout Nico Collins suffered a concussion in the second half and never returned. Higgins also broke a streak of two straight games with a touchdown reception. He finished third on the team in receiving during the regular season, with 41 catches for 525 yards, and his six touchdowns were tied with Collins for the most on the team. If Collins cannot clear the league's concussion protocol in time for Sunday's Divisional Round contest at the New England Patriots, Higgins will have much more fantasy upside.