Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Quentin Johnston

Sunday, December 7, 12:53 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen are active for Sunday's Week 14 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Both players are making their team debuts. Valdes-Scantling was signed from the Steelers' practice squad earlier this week after previously playing for the Buffalo Bills. In five games with Buffalo, he caught four of his eight targets for 40 yards. Meanwhile, Thielen was claimed off waivers after he and the Minnesota Vikings mutually agreed to part ways. The 35-year-old had caught just eight passes through 11 games. He is one year removed from a solid 2024 campaign with the Carolina Panthers in which he caught 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Neither player is much of a hot commodity in fantasy football, but they both have the potential to carve out significant roles. After all, the Steelers have been underwhelmed by the wide receiver position across the entire depth chart, including receivers DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, and could be looking for meaningful contributions from new faces.

Saturday, December 6, 4:30 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston is coming off a three-reception, 23-yard, one-touchdown game against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the passing attack still heavily depended on quick, short passes to compensate for issues along the offensive line. Johnston will face a tough matchup against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who ranks 10th in allowing the fewest fantasy points per route. Additionally, the Eagles' pass defense ranks 24th in fantasy points allowed per dropback when in zone coverage. Johnston has struggled against zone, with a 14% target rate and 1.16 yards per route run. He is officially off the injury report after dealing with a shoulder injury, but the tough matchup, combined with the expected run-heavy game and uncertainty at quarterback, suggests he will continue to be a boom-or-bust low-end WR3, heavily reliant on scoring a touchdown.