Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Ladd McConkey

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.

Sunday, January 11, 5:44 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was an inconsistent contributor throughout the 2025 regular season, but he'll have an opportunity to get back on track by making a big impact against the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday evening. McConkey had 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns through 16 regular-season games, with his lone absence coming in Week 18 as Los Angeles rested key starters. New England ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in 2025, but they did allow the seventh-most touchdowns to the position. The best fantasy performance of McConkey's career came against the Patriots in Week 17 of the 2024 season, as he caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. New England's defense has gotten much stronger since then, but nonetheless, the second-year wideout will look to use today's game as an opportunity to get back on track.