Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Michael Wilson

Saturday, December 21, 3:16 AM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is expected to be quarterback Bryce Young's top option again in the Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. His fellow receiver's statuses are as follows: Xavier Legette (hip) is out, David Moore (concussion) is questionable, and Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is questionable. Thielen has produced for fantasy managers who kept him on their rosters following his Week 12 return from a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old has reeled in 25 of 32 targets for 309 yards and a touchdown over his last four games. Thielen continues leading Carolina in targets and receptions, making him a mid-range WR3/FLEX play this week, especially in PPR leagues. RotoBaller has Thielen WR29 in the latest wide receiver rankings for this week.

Saturday, December 21, 9:26 AM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson remains a risky WR3/FLEX play in deeper leagues as he prepares to take on the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old has been a beacon of availability this season, playing at least 66 percent of offensive snaps in all 14 games. He has a modest stat line of 41 catches, 482 yards, and four touchdowns so far, ranking 52nd among wide receivers in terms of fantasy points (PPR). He had come on strong with 25.2 fantasy points between Weeks 13 and 14, but he dropped down to just 2.9 points with a pair of catches for nine yards last weekend. This week, Wilson faces the Panthers, who have been mediocre in terms of defending wide receivers. Carolina has allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers this year, as well as the 12th-most fantasy points to receivers who play out wide. For context, Wilson has taken 212 snaps from the slot (30.6 percent), which is the 34th-most among NFL receivers. Managers can certainly justify starting him in deeper fantasy formats, but we'd advise looking elsewhere for production in leagues with 12 teams or fewer.