Who Should I Start? Ainias Smith or Jared Wayne

Tuesday, August 19, 9:35 AM

Second-year Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith has enjoyed a healthy training camp, and his coaches have taken notice. Last season, as a fifth-round rookie, he struggled through camp with a stress fracture in his shin that would eventually land him on Injured Reserve for two months. This year, he is healthy and competing for one of the Eagles' last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. He has played in each of the team's first two preseason games, catching a touchdown in both and returning punts and kicks, as his path to the roster may run through special teams. Smith has been competing with fellow second-year wideout Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for one of the team's final roster spots, and on Sunday, the Eagles acquired former second-round pick John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Whoever can win the camp battle will have little relevance in managed redraft leagues, but could be worth a stash in deep dynasty formats.

Wednesday, January 15, 12:02 PM

After releasing wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, the Houston Texans promoted wide receiver Jared Wayne from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Wednesday ahead of their Divisional Round game this Saturday on the road in Kansas City against the two-time defending Super Bowl-champion Chiefs. Wayne has only been active for the Texans three times during the 2024 season and hasn't seen a single target in the passing game while playing on only 40 offensive snaps. He has had a bigger role on special teams when active, which is likely to be the case again this weekend, which means fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should look to avoid Wayne as a deep sleeper. With Johnson out of the picture now, Xavier Hutchinson and veteran Robert Woods (hip) could see more playing time behind Nico Collins and John Metchie III.