Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Calvin Austin III

Saturday, November 22, 12:24 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (coach's decision) has been inactive for the last two weeks, and he's trending toward being a healthy scratch again in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. Lazard went from playing 78 percent of the snaps in Week 8 to being a healthy scratch for the Jets' next game, and he has been inactive ever since, even with the Jets trying to find ways to replace Garrett Wilson (knee). So far, Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie III, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, and Isaiah Williams have been the Jets' preferred replacements for Wilson, leaving Lazard as the odd man out. With all five of those receivers healthy, it looks like Lazard is heading for more of the same. Don't expect him to suit up against Baltimore.

Friday, November 21, 10:53 AM

Across eight games this season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III has recorded 22 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 37 targets. It's been a struggle for the 26-year-old over in recent weeks, as he's hauled in just three catches for 19 yards on eight targets over his last two games. Perhaps most notably, Austin III saw a significant drop in playing time in the Steelers' Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Austin III played just 19 offensive snaps against Cincinnati, his lowest total in any game this season and nearly 20 fewer than fellow Steelers wideout Roman Wilson. Heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Austin III could be fading into a depth role in Pittsburgh. He should not be trusted as a fantasy starter against Chicago.